OPERATION NIGHTHAWK 13-14th August 1988
CHECKPOINT LEADERS - BRIEFING NOTES AND INSTRUCTIONS
1. CHECKPOINT PROCEDURES.
When a team arrives at your checkpoint, carry out the
following procedures:
(i) Ask for the Team Leader
(ii) Get the Team number
(iii) Ensure all the team is present
(iv) Put arrival time and team number on Score sheet
(v) Check that team members have no problems
(vi) Assess the team's morale and physical condition
and, if considered necessary, insist that they
rest. Advise HQ if this occurs.
(vii) Put the team through their challenge.
(viii)Allocate points.
(ix) Mark the next checkpoint on the team map and give
any other instructions as needed for the team to
reach the next checkpoint in safety and on time.
(x) Dispatch the team to the next checkpoint.
(xi) Advise HQ of Departure time, points awarded, etc.
as per Score sheet.
(xii) If a team is out of sequence (by five or more)
check HQ to see if any team has been passed or
misplaced.
2. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. Report all emergencies to HQ
immediately and wait for instructions from HQ. All teams have been
issued with LOST procedures as per attachment.
3. PROBLEM SOLVING. Operation Nighthawk is an initiative
test. It is up to the Scouts and Venturers as to how they
solve the problem or complete the task, provided that all
checkpoint requirements are met, and that their procedures are
safe.
4. PROPERTY PROTECTION.
(a) Risk of fire is never absent. Scouts and venturers are
not to take matches or butane lighters on the course.
(b) Livestock is not to be intentionally disturbed.
(c) Gates are to be left opened or closed, as found.
(d) Fences are not to be climbed over, either go through them
or under them. Teams are to report any damaged fences to the
Checkpoint they next encounter. The Checkpoint will then notify HQ.
Some fences are ELECTRIFIED so it is important that ALL fences
are crossed ONLY at spots designated by markers such as bags.
5. ROADS.
(a) All standard road safety rules are to be observed,
particularly walking on the right hand side of the road.
(b) A head light and tail light (torches) must be at the
front and rear of all teams at all times.
(c) Extra care is to be taken on busy roads, and teams must move
off the main thoroughfare in the face of oncoming traffic.
6. RADIO COMMUNICATION. The army is in charge of
communications and all radio communications are to be carried
according to its procedures. Army call signs will be used.
7. CAMPSITE CONTROL. The leader in charge of a checkpoint
has complete control of that checkpoint and is responsible to
HQ for the operation of that checkpoint.
8. ALCOHOL AND LANGUAGE. Checkpoint personnel are asked not
to consume alcohol during the duration of the hike (i.e. while
teams are still on their section of the course), to maintain
their checkpoint in a quiet and orderly manner and not to use
language that others may find offensive.
9. ACTIVITY DISPUTES. Any disputes are to be submitted in
writing to HQ, giving full particulars of the reason and nature
of the dispute. A disputes committee will then consider the
dispute and give a ruling. The Disputes Committee's
decision will be final. The Disputes Committee will be formed
from members of the Nighthawk committee selected by the
Chairman of that Committee.
10. NOISE. Remind noisy teams to keep the noise down,
particularly when they are going close to residences.
11. CIGARETTES. No teams are to have cigarettes or matches
with them on the course. Six (6) demerit points will be awarded
to the team and the cigarettes and matches are to be confiscated.
If the team refuses to comply with these conditions,
disqualification of the team will be considered.
12. MARSHALLS. All marshalls will be identified by a
distinctive badge of office. They are to ensure that teams do
not break any rules and give demerit points if necessary.
Marshalls are to be called upon if any team becomes lost or is
in difficulties, only upon direction of HQ. Overdue and lost
teams are to be reported to HQ first.
13. FIRE DANGER!! Due to the exceptional rain in April, grass
cover is very high and dense and very due to frost. A VERY HIGH
fire danger exists!!! Every precaution must be taken to ensure
that all fires are contained, small and that flying sparks do
not start fires.
ALL FIRE BANS MUST BE FOLLOWED!!
If you must smoke, cigarette butts are not to be thrown away while
still alight - this form of littering and fire go hand in hand.
14. BADGES. All checkpoint personnel will be issued with a 1988
Nighthawk Badge as a small measure of appreciation for their help
in making Nighthawk possible.
K. Harrison,
Chairman,
Nighthawk Committee.
OPERATION NIGHTHAWK 13-14th August 1988
CAMP LEADERS NOTES
GROUP ........................ CAMPSITE NO. .............
TEAM NAME/NO. ................. DEPARTURE TIME ...........
TEAM NAME/NO. ................. DEPARTURE TIME ...........
TEAM NAME/NO. ................. DEPARTURE TIME ...........
WELCOME TO OPERATION NIGHTHAWK 1988!
1. WHAT IS NIGHTHAWK? Nighthawk is a test of skill,
initiative, fun and endurance. Points are awarded for
activities completed at checkpoints. Points are deducted for
breaches of road rules, country code or nighthawk rules. The
rules and instructions are precise and are to be obeyed in
your own interests for safety and protection of private
property.
2. TIMES. All times will be recorded using the 24 hour clock,
e.g. 7.00 pm reads 1900 hours (add 12 to pm time).
The departure times and campsite(s) for your group's teams are above.
3. TEAM BRIEFINGS. Briefings will be held at Headquarters
for Team Leaders as follows: SCOUTS: 1550 hours
VENTURERS: 1615 hours.
Make sure your team leaders are there!
4. CANTEEN. A pie and hot drink stall will be in operation
during nighthawk.
5. GENERAL RULES FOR CAMPING:
(a) No Fires - Gas cooking only.
(b) No trenches to be dug around tentage.
(c) Remain within allocated area, as it will be easier to
find groups in cases of emergency.
(d) Separate areas have been set aside for venturers and
scouts. Leaders are to ensure scouts and venturers
remain in respective areas.
(e) All sites are to be left clean and tidy with all rubbish
to be put in the bins provided.
(f) Leaders are responsible for the activities of the scouts
and venturers while the teams are in the Showground area.
6. RESTRICTED AREAS. Headquarters is out of bounds for all
unauthorized personnel. Teams checking in or out and Leaders
with genuine enquiries are "authorized personnel".
Separate areas have been set aside for scouts and venturers,
neither group is to intrude on the other's area.
7. NOT TO LEAVE CAMP. No one is to leave camp without his/her
leader's permission and then only for a very good reason.
Leaders must notify HQ of any such case as soon as practicable.
8. STARTING AND FINISHING. All teams must be at the Check-out
Point at HQ ten (10) minutes prior to departure.
No reminders will be given and late teams will go to the end.
All teams must check in at HQ within ten (10) minutes of arrival
back at camp. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
The results of the team's Spare Time Activity will be scored on
checking in and Nighthawk badges and vouchers for hot pies will
be distributed.
9. PROPERTY PROTECTION.
(a) Risk of fire is never absent. Scouts and venturers are
not to take matches or butane lighters.
(b) Livestock is not to be intentionally disturbed.
(c) Gates are to be left opened or closed, as found.
(d) Fences are not to be climbed over, teams are to go through
them or under them.
10. ROADS.
(a) All standard road safety rules are to be observed,
particularly walking on the right hand side of the road.
(b) A head light and a tail light (torches) must be at the
front and rear of all teams at all times.
(c) Extra care is to be taken on busy roads and teams are to move
off the main thoroughfare in the face of oncoming traffic.
11. ADEQUATE REST. It is up to Camp Leaders and other group
scouters to ensure that their scouts and venturers have
sufficient rest before the hike.
The camping areas have been allocated to try to ensure that
late teams will be disturbed as little as possible by early
teams and vice versa.
12. ALCOHOL AND LANGUAGE. Personnel in the Showground area
are asked not to consume alcohol , to assist in maintaining
the area in a quiet and orderly manner and not to use
language that others may find offensive.
13. ACTIVITY DISPUTES. Any disputes are to be submitted in
writing to HQ, giving full particulars of the reason and nature
of the dispute. A disputes committee will then consider the
dispute and give a ruling. The Disputes Committee's
decision will be final. The Disputes Committee will be formed
from members of the Nighthawk committee selected by the
Chairman of that Committee.
14. STARTING TIMES. Scouts and Venturers are to be at the
starting point (check out at HQ) ten (10) minutes prior to
departure time given upon your arrival at the site. No
further reminder will be given. A tight schedule must be
maintained to ensure all teams complete the course.