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Map and Compass

Can you hike overland without a trail and signposts to help guide you? As a team, master the use of a map and compass to make your way from Point A to Point B. Those who are already pretty handy with a map and compass can teach others.

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Plan

  • Who on your team is already skilled with a map and compass? How can your team learn more about this skill set?
  • What equipment is needed for this Adventure? Consider the terrain, the season and the weather forecast.
  • When and where are you going to go? Consider how long it will take to get to a destination—and back!

Do

  • Divide into pairs or small groups. More able youth should mentor less experienced teammates.
  • Take turns leading the group, either individually, in pairs, or in small groups. Each person should have the opportunity to take his/her bearings, select a landmark, and lead the group to the landmark.
  • Continue taking turns leading until the group reaches its destination.

Review

  • What do you know now that you did not know before?
  • Did you reach your destination in good time? Why or why not?
  • How did you feel during this activity? Excited? Frustrated?
  • How did your team work together?
  • What would you do differently in the future?
  • How can you use what you learned in other activities?

Keep it Simple

  • Use your map and compass skills and create a game – use your skills to play a game of hide and go seek. As a team, agree on a hiding place (you don’t need to be fully hidden – your team standing behind a tree or something similar is fine) and use a map to figure out the bearings and paces needed to get there from a starting point. Give the starting point, bearings and paces to the opposing team. Then, go hide! Can they find you? https://www.scouts.ca/activity-finder/lost-and-find-me.html

Take it Further