Over 500 Scouts take on the challenge of Operation Moonlight 2012!
Operation Moonlight 2012 took place on Saturday 21st January 2012. Organised by Ormskirk SASU Crew, the event which has been running successfully for 24 years, had the largest ever turnout with over 500 Scouts and Explorer Scouts from all over the North West taking part. There were over 90 teams entered into the event.
Richard Charnock the Event Coordinator from Ormskirk SASU Crew said, “It was a brilliant day and a real challenge for all the young people taking part but event at the end, you could see in their faces just how much fun it had been.”
For those who do not know Operation Moonlight is an evasion exercise which takes place within West Lancashire. Teams are bussed to a secret location and at 12 noon the young people are set loose and spend the next 9 hours evading teams of catchers and navigating their way to the finish around 10 miles (16.5 km) away as the crow flies. The aim is to find their way to the finish with as many ‘lives’ intact as possible.
Scouts and Explorer Scouts probably added to the distance quite significantly as to avoid the dreaded catchers that take away valuable ‘lives’. This year there were over 90 catchers. (Catchers are also Moonlight Marshals, and whilst trying to catch as many teams as possible for the catcher’s prize they are also there to ensure the safety and well being of the teams.)
Chris Philips, who is in charge of the Route and rules for Operation Moonlight 2012 said, “We’d chosen two start points – one for the Explorers and Scout Network over in Worden Park and one for the Scouts in Upholland. Both routes ensured that the participants would have to use their navigation skills and team work to avoid being caught by the catchers.”
There are four categories – Solo Scouts (those without a leader), Led Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Network/Veteran. The overall winners this year were from Trogz Explorer Scout Unit which are based in Kirkham & Wesham. Not only did they win the trophy for the Explorer Scout category they also won overall by not losing any lives and arriving in early during the finish window.
The top results are below but full results can be downloaded below:
Overall
| Position | Catergory | Team Name | Group / Unit |
| 1st | Explorers | Trogz A | Trogz |
| 2nd | Explorers | Team Extreme | Yetis & Ormskirk Explorers |
| 3rd | Net & Vet | (Team Vegas) | OK Network |
Explorers
| Position | Catergory | Team Name | Group / Unit |
| 1st | Explorers | Trogz A | Trogz |
| 2nd | Explorers | Team Extreme | Yetis & Ormskirk Explorers |
| 3rd | Explorers | 10th Altside A | 10th Altside |
Led Scouts
| Position | Catergory | Team Name | Group / Unit |
| 1st | Led Scouts | Eccleston Extreme Unit | Eccleston Scouts |
| 2nd | Led Scouts | 5th Lancaster B | 5th Lancaster |
| 3rd | Led Scouts | Burscough Bandits | 29th OK |
Solo Scouts
| Position | Catergory | Team Name | Group / Unit |
| 1st | Solo Scouts | Team Thunder | 29th OK |
| 2nd | Solo Scouts | 41st A | 41st OK |
| 3rd | Solo Scouts | 17th A | 17th OK |
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Operation Moonlight is an evasion exercise that takes place in January, somewhere in West Lancashire. Teams from Ormskirk District and beyond are invited to take part from Scouts, Guides, Explorers, Network & Veterans.
Moonlight 2012 will take place on Saturday 21st January and an application form is available to download - please see downloads page. Catchers please follow this link to register.
The deadline for applications is 14th January 2012.
A team will consist of 4 Scouts or Guides with one adult leader or Explorer Scout / Network member. As a special concession, teams of 4 Scouts or Guides may take part without a Leader at the Group Scout Leader’s discretion. Larger team sizes are permitted to a maximum of 7. Smaller teams are not allowed under Scout Association rules. Explorer Scouts take part in the event in Teams of 4 or more and compete in a totally separate Explorer Scout competition. Network and Veteran teams are also invited but will not be included in the results.
The four categories of teams are as follows:
- Solo Scouts (a team made up of just scouts without a leader)
- Led Scouts (a team made up of Scouts with one leader)
- Explorer Scouts
- Network & Veteran
Please read the rules carefully for what constitutes each a valid team.
The aim of the exercise is to navigate a course from a secret start location to the finish whilst avoiding catchers, and returning with as many lives as possible intact. As a rough guide the course will be 9 hours long and approximately 10 miles on a direct route, however most teams usually walk a greater distance to avoid catchers.
Catchers (in catching teams – minimum 1, maximum 4) are also Moonlight Marshall’s and whilst trying to catch as many teams as possible for the catchers prize they are also there to ensure the safety and well being of the teams. Catchers are not permitted to use bicycle’s and any drivers must be over the age of 21 years. Catchers must register online by 14 January 2011. You register by clicking on “catchers” on the tool bar on the left. Please follow the instructions carefully. Make sure those who normally catch know about this as we don’t want to turn people away.
There is an Operation Moonlight 2012 Application Form for you to download, complete and return with payment. Cost will be £6 per team member (same for leader) – you must also include in the total amount £5 deposit per team for the Arm Bands. A £5 note will be returned at the end of the event when the armbands have been handed in.
Once you have registered and paid, you will be sent further details a week before the event including a meeting point, equipment list and rule book.
For any queries or further information please contact the Moonlight organisers on moonlight@ormskirkscouts.org.uk
Thank you.