Cub Scout Day Camp: Orienteering

Maps and compasses! I helped with Cub Scout Day Camp last year, too, in the same capacity. It's neat to see the boys learn about a skill that is seeming more and more outdated, though is still very important. With GPS capabilities in our cars, phones, cameras, and more, do we still need compasses with magnetic north and maps to find the way? I say yes! 

We are in a transition in this area, though, so I'm curious as to where we go and if requirements to learn about these will be changed. I asked my husband who said GPS units can run out of batteries, be subject to selective availability (used previously so only military had precise measurements--not used after 2000), it's easy to keep a record of your track in coastal waters (he's from a Navy background) and is required by law in these cases, etc. "Prudent people will always have a paper back up, that doesn't run out of batteries or is not dependent on a satellite system."

We started our session talking about basic map skills, highlighting the compass rose, Never Eat Soggy Wheat (North, East South, West), how to orient a map, basic parts of a compass, magnetic north, the concept of a pace, and how to use the compass. I had a great, ENTHUSIASTIC helper who made it much easier. Thanks! He took half the boys to work on map skills in more depth while I took the other half to the field to work on using the compass. 

This was the center spot. We always came back here for our next direction, though these could be set up in different ways. 

Cub Scout Day Camp--Orienteering

I was asked to help with orienteering at Cub Scout Day Camp . . . what a fun week! This was the first year my son attended Day Camp and we were excited to participate. 

I "loved" it when the three-year-old found poison ivy and started rubbing it all over his clothes and head. I didn't touch those clothes for months! Yes, I have an aversion to poison ivy--itchy, itchy!

We made it a family affair, with the younger boys in the kiddy program and my husband helping with stomp rockets, similar to these, when he could. Here is an easy version if you're looking for a gift. 

They really are fun and reminded me of my days hosting Science Club in Japan and working with the Jason Project. Everything this week was space related. Great theme! 

It was a hot, hot week. I was grateful for a hat, shade, and cool water. I found that orienteering is still difficult for this age, but not impossible. A few helpful tips we found were to create a flat shelf with one hand to hold the compass. The boys wanted to grip around it. Practicing the flat shelf without the compass helped when we were ready to use the compass.

We explored maps, how to use compasses, and how to make our own compasses. I had great helpers each day who were leaders and examples. While my background is in education, I was reminded of excellent teaching techniques from a twelve-year-old scout. He's a great leader already!

The Day Camp leaders did an excellent job pulling together all the needed materials and activities for our adventures. Great experience!

During my "free" time, I enjoyed going on another hike with a few wild edibles, exploring aquatic bugs, trying my hand at bb guns, and touching fish!