This is a question that has been asked a few times over the years, so let's answer it!
The reason for this is that not all activity stations can be scaled up for more participants. If your group is supposed to build and carry a stretcher through the woods (for example), too many youth can result in participants getting left out. Stations are planning around four to seven youth per group, and we've found that over the years, that works out best.
But what if you have more than seven youth? Why you split into two hike groups of course! It's best to split the groups as evenly as you can, so that both groups get to participate equally, though some groups might split with the most senior kids on one team to really push for a win, with everyone else on another team. Keep in mind that each hike group is required to have two leaders, so if you don't have enough leadership to meet requirements, your hike groups will be required to hike together for safety, even if they are competing against each other!
If you have a question you'd like answered, please email nitehike@nitehike.org and we'll answer it!