how to set up orienteering course scouts

• Set up a 100-foot course near your meeting place. As Scouts arrive, have them walk the course and calculate their pace (how far they travel every two steps).
• Draw a large chalk circle on the parking lot. Place an index card marked “North” at the northernmost point. ...
• As Scouts arrive, challenge them to sketch topographic maps of their neighborhoods or the area around your meeting place.
• Set up a display of items related to orienteering courses, including controls, punches, control cards, maps, bibs, etc.

How to start orienteering and learn to love it?

Orienteering Clubs. Orienteering clubs, which put on meets and provide training, are your best place to start. For a state-by-state list of clubs, visit the website of the national organization: Orienteering USA, which also has several articles to help newcomers learn about the sport.

How to start orienteering?

Part 2 Part 2 of 3: Participating in a Basic Orienteering Course Download Article

1. Study your map. When you start your race, take a moment to look at the topographical map which will consist of a start, a series of control sites connected ...
2. Orient your compass with your map. Your map will have an arrow indicating north. ...
3. Look for your first control site. ...
4. Punch your card or electronic dibber. ...

How to design an orienteering course?

Things You'll Need

• A whistle
• Water - bring more if you'll be running a more advanced course or running in hot weather.
• Course map and control card from registration
• Compass (preferably a proper orienteering compass or thumb compass)
• A SI or EMIT card (they are usually available to hire if you don't have your own)
• You may want a control holder but they are not necessary. ...

More items...

What are the basic skills in orienteering?

• Fold your map so that you can comfortably hold it in one hand.
• Align the long edge of the compass with the direction that you need to go.
• Rotate your whole body until the compass needle and the north lines on the map are lined up.
• The long edge of the compass and the direction of travel arrow now point in the direction you need to go.

How do Boy Scouts use compasses?

With N on the compass housing touching the direction of travel arrow, set your compass alongside the Magnetic North arrow on a map. Slowly turn the map until the compass needle rests inside the orienting arrow. The compass will be aimed at Magnetic North while the map is oriented to True North.

How do you complete first class on 4a?

4a. Using a map and compass, complete an orienteering course that covers at least one mile and requires measuring the height and/ or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.). 4b. Demonstrate how to use a handheld GPS unit, GPS app on a smartphone, or other electronic navigation system.

How do you use an orienteering compass?

Hold your map horizontally. Place the compass flat on the map. Rotate the map until the "north lines" on the map (a series of evenly spaced parallel lines drawn across the map, all pointing to magnetic north) are aligned with the compass needle. The map should now be oriented to the terrain.

How is winning determined in orienteering?

Winners are usually determined based on who completes the course fastest, who finds the most checkpoints, and who chooses the best route (or a combination of the three).

When should you not use lashings?

It is stronger than the diagonal lashing, but the square lashing cannot be used if a gap exists between poles. A shear lashing begins and ends with a clove hitch and binds poles at a 0° to 45° angle. Use this when poles must flexibly swing apart in a scissors motion such as the shear legs of an A-frame.

What is the proper body positioning in a watercraft?

0:102:34BSA RANK REQUIREMENTS FIRST CLASS 6D - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipKeep your center of gravity low in other words either be an annealing or sitting position try neverMoreKeep your center of gravity low in other words either be an annealing or sitting position try never to stand in a boat. Don't lean out of the boat.

How do I set up a compass course?

1:115:11How to Setup a Compass Course - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd so what i'll do is make sure that the compass is set to north. Then there's a direction ofMoreAnd so what i'll do is make sure that the compass is set to north. Then there's a direction of travel arrow on the compass. Base we'll set that to the direction.

What is the most fundamental skill needed in orienteering?

orienting the mapThe most important skill in Orienteering is orienting the map! Maps are not supposed to be held with the top up the top, but instead in the same orientation as the terrain around you. Look for a prominent feature around you like a fence or a road, and rotate the map to match.

What are the 4 cardinal points?

North, east, south, and west are the four cardinal directions, often marked by the initials N, E, S, and W. East and west are at right angles to north and south. East is in the clockwise direction of rotation from north. West is directly opposite east.

What are the 5 variations of orienteering?

Here is some information about orienteering disciplines that you can try in and around the UK.Traditional Orienteering. ... Cycle Orienteering. ... Ski Orienteering. ... Urban Orienteering. ... Night Orienteering. ... Trail-O.

Why is orienteering not an Olympic sport?

In the 1980's we were told that the IOC was saying Orienteering lacked the required number of member countries on the required number of continents to be considered. Orienteering has long since passed those modest threshholds but it seems no closer to being on any Olympic program.

What are the two types of orienteering?

Variations of orienteering include line orienteering, in which the competitors follow the same route, visiting controls that can be found only by accurately adhering to the route; route orienteering, in which the route is marked not on a master map but on the ground itself and in which contestants must indicate the ...

What is the first class requirement for orienteering?

First Class Requirement No. 2 is specifically, "Using a compass, complete an orienteering course that covers at least one mile and requires measuring the height and/or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.).".

What can a Boy Scout do?

As a Boy Scout, when the First Class rank is attained, a scout has learned all the basic camping and outdoors skills of a scout. He can fend for himself in the wild, lead others on a hike or campout, set up a camp site, plan and properly prepare meals, and provide first aid for most situations he may encounter.

What is the challenge of course setting?

The challenge for the course setter is to keep the course interesting, but never beyond the individual's or group's ability. General guidance is to select locations that are easily identifiable on the map and terrain, and accessible from several routes.

Is time a factor in a master map?

When they finish, the maps are analyzed and compared. During training, time is not a factor. Another variation is when a course is laid out on the ground with markers for the competitor to follow. There is no master map, as the course is traced for the competitor by flags or markers.

How to teach Scouts to use a compass?

Go to the starting point and give the group their first clue. Give each group at least one compass and let them figure it out. (Groups should be at least two Scouts, but can be more.) If you haven’t done so already, give them instructions on how to use the compass.

When is Scouter Mom 2020?

June 20, 2020 by Scouter Mom Leave a Comment. This game requires some setup, but it is a fun way to introduce Webelos and Scouts BSA to orienteering. You can just set up one course and have them all do it together, or you can set up two or three courses and split them into groups. The courses don’t have to be long.

What to expect in orienteering?

What to expect. There are many different kinds of orienteering, but they all have a few things in common; a map, control points and you. Using a map and sometimes a compass, you’ll navigate your way around a small area to find ‘control points’. At each one there may be a number, letter or stamp that you need to write down or collect.

Where does orienteering take place?

Orienteering can be done individually or as a team and takes place in lots of different locations, including forests and fields. Run around, have fun and visit as many control points as you can.

How to keep hydrated while orienteering?

Bring a water bottle. Orienteering can involve lots of running, so make sure you have plenty to drink to keep you hydrated. Grab some extra whistles. Having a whistle when orienteering can help you in an emergency, so bring some spares with you just in case anyone forgets. Spare waterproofs.

When was orienteering invented?

The term ‘orienteering’ was first used in 1886 at the Swedish Military Academy Karlberg and meant the crossing of unknown land with the aid of a map and a compass. Since then, it’s become a popular sport, with world championships held every year. There are also world championships of ski orienteering, trail orienteering and mountain bike orienteering held annually.

Do you need a permit for Terrain Zero?

This activity can be led by you or someone else in Scouts: The activity leader must have an adventurous activities permit with the right level and permissions for your group. You don't need a permit for activities in Terrain Zero.

Can you adapt orienteering?

Orienteering can often be adapted so more people can give it a go. Many outdoor centres have facilities that cater for people with additional needs and experienced instructors to help everyone achieve their goals. Get in touch with your local provider to chat through the needs of people in your group.

What are the requirements for 2nd class orienteering?

Second Class requirements 1a, 3a, 3d, and 3b. First Class requirements 1a, and 4a. Backpacking, Geocaching, Hiking, and Orienteering merit badges. Orienteering Basics – The sport of orienteering began in the late 19th century in Scandinavia. In its classic form, orienteers (competitors) are given a topographic map with a series ...

What is score orienteering?

Score orienteering: Orienteers visit as many controls as possible in a given time. The controls are assigned different point values depending on difficulty. Night orienteering: Orienteers run a course in the dark. Reflective markers are attached to the controls so orienteers can find them with a flashlight.

Jeff1974

I am trying to help our Second Class scouts complete First Class 4a , a one mile orienteering course. I have identified a few clubs that put on such programs, but there are some distance from us. Myself and another leader are discussing whether such a course could be laid out using a gps and compass, which the Scouts could then recreate.

jjlash

I do that requirement for my Troop about once a year. The thing that I always make sure to cover is - an orienteering course is not the same as a compass course. Orienteering is a race against other competitors, or in the simple case against the clock.

MattR

Google Earth is also a useful tool. Plot points and then use the ruler to get exact distance and bearings between points. Just verify the course. Little rock outcroppings, as seen on the computer, might be really steep and large to cross. Just sayin'. The scouts weren't so happy on that one. But we did talk about how to go around barriers.

DuctTape

Another thing about "obstacles" in the training to do the requirement (ie being tested) is to ensure the scouts know/understand/and can avoid obstacles by modifying the route; not just following a straight bearing.

AltadenaCraig

An easy free solution to mapping is caltopo.com. I use it regularly. ... Save it as a .pdf.

mrkstvns

Ask at your district roundtable if anyone has a scout working on Orienteering MB who would like to set up a course for your troop.

mrkstvns

If you happen to live in the mid-Atlantic region, a great opportunity to get Orienteering requirements knocked out is to participate in the Baltimore Area Council's annual "Orienteering Day". It's a huge event with hundreds of scouts competing against similar aged scouts from other troops to complete pre-defined routes.