Special Project

For 2026, teams are challenged to use their pioneering skills to create a transportation device that they’ll use to move a prescribed object(s) over a course, in a race against other teams. 

The brief has purposefully been left slightly vague to encourage Scouts to think creatively. The final briefing details will be shared with teams on arrival including details on what object(s) need transporting and the course.

We would like you to include some elements of scouting skills in your designs, by including aspects constructed using poles and rope. These can be pioneering poles, gadget wood, gutter pipe or broomsticks (or are anything else that is appropriate). It can be simple or complex, traditional or novel the choice is yours! You will achieve more points for being more adventurous, including more knots and lashings, including more aspects and being more creative. The device should be built on your site’s activity space.

The transportation device you create is your choice. It could be based on be a cart, a chariot, a stretcher, a raft, a wheelbarrow, a chair etc. You’re encouraged to think creatively to stand out from the crowd! The whole patrol must be involved for the entirety of the race (either as carriers, pullers, pushers, or any other role you may need for your device to operate). Projects should be entirely powered by Scouts! Wheels are allowed but teams should remember this is not the only way to move and that there will be obstacles to navigate.

The object(s) you’ll be asked to transport will be no smaller than an egg and no larger than a motorbike helmet. The maximum weight will be around 2kg.  All object(s) will be provided to you and may be fragile or require you to keep them level. There may be penalties for any damaged or lost items!

The course will be laid out by Saturday morning to enable teams to finalise their plan. It will have some ‘obstacles’ and the total distance will be no greater than one lap of the camp field. The obstacles may include turns, weaving between obstacles, travelling over or under obstructions, or any other exciting challenges! Your creation can be any size (big or small) however note that: any weaving turns (chicane style) will be a minimum of 1.5m clear spacing; any obstacles that need to be passed under will be a minimum of 1m from the ground; and any obstacles that need to be passed over will be a maximum of 1.5m height.

All teams will show off their creations and compete on Sunday morning.

Teams should remember that whilst the ‘race’ [speed of moving the object(s)] is one aspect, there are multiple aspects which are judged (listed below). Therefore, the team that finishes fastest may not necessarily win overall. In the situation that the ground conditions mean it is unsafe to carry out the race, the race aspect will be modified, or the points will be re-distributed.

Good luck!