Scout tool · Safety
Live location tracking for Scout hikes
Give each team a unique check-in code and see every team on one live map during a hike or expedition — with an alarm to call for help and no personal or device data captured. No hired trackers to hand out.
What is live location tracking in Scoutworks?
Live location tracking lets leaders see the location of teams out on an activity — a hike, a night walk or an expedition — on a single live map. Each team gets its own unique code to check in with from a phone, and you watch them move between checkpoints, toggling teams on and off the map or switching to full-screen so you can supervise remotely and spot straight away if a group has stopped or gone off route.
It’s designed as an additional safety tool, not a replacement for proper supervision, and it’s built to be responsible: no data is captured about the phone or the person sharing the location — only the team’s position, and only for the activity — which makes it a simple, GDPR-friendly way to do it. When they check in, a team can also raise the alarm to request help and send a note, and you keep a full audit trail of every check-in. Create your group to use it, free during your trial — there’s no device to hire, charge and hand out.
How live tracking works on a Scout activity
Four steps to a live view of everyone on the hill.
- 1
Set up the activity
Create the hike or expedition and add the teams you want to keep an eye on — each one gets its own unique check-in code.
- 2
Teams check in
Each team shares its location from a phone using its code — no app login, and no personal or device data is captured, only the team’s position.
- 3
Watch the live map
See every team on one map, toggle teams on and off the layers to isolate one or several, and switch to full-screen for a clear at-a-glance view.
- 4
Step in if needed
A team can raise the alarm and send a note to request help; if a group stops or heads off route, you see it early and can act.
An additional safety tool — not a replacement for supervision
Live tracking helps you keep an eye on teams, but it doesn’t replace proper remote supervision, agreed check-ins or a sound emergency plan — treat it as one extra layer of safety. It’s consent-based and runs only for the duration of the activity, and it captures no data about the phone or the person sharing the location — just the team’s position — so it’s a GDPR-friendly way to do it. This mirrors DofE’s own guidance that tracking is additional to, not a substitute for, remote supervision.
No trackers to hire, charge and chase
Many groups hire dedicated GPS trackers for an expedition — one per team, collected and returned afterwards. Live tracking gives you the same live map, plus a way to call for help, without the hardware.
| Hired GPS trackers | Scoutworks | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | A device to hire, charge, hand out and get back | Uses a phone the team already has |
| Cost per activity | A hire fee for every expedition | Included — free during your trial |
| Checking in | Tied to a specific device | A unique code per team, no app login |
| Calling for help | Depends on the device | Teams raise the alarm and send a note |
| Record of check-ins | Varies by provider | A full audit trail you keep |
| Data collected | Device and personal data varies | None about the phone or the person |
What live tracking gives you
Unique team codes
Each team checks in with its own code from a phone — no app login required.
One live map
Every team in one view; toggle teams on and off the layers, or go full-screen.
Raise the alarm & send notes
A team can request assistance from leaders and send a note when they check in.
Full audit trail
Keep a complete record of every check-in across the activity.
Consent-based, activity-only
Tracking runs only for the activity, with everyone’s knowledge.
No personal or device data
Nothing is captured about the phone or the person — only the team’s position.