Compass Walk

How long it’ll take:

45 min

What the goal is:

The campers should develop intermediate directional skills.

What the objectives are:

Campers should be able to use a compass to find N, S, E, and W and properly orient a map to north. Campers ideally will also be able to find a bearing using a compass.

What you’ll need:

• Bandanas

• Compasses: One for each camper

• Markers (cones, water bottles, sweatshirts)

• Small Whiteboard and marker

What you’ll do:

1. Create a score card with a slot for each camper.

Level 1:

2. Have each camper take time to orient in one spot. Look at compasses and find N, S, E, W and place a marker at each point, forming a small square around each group. This will serve as their playing field for Level 1. Each group must stay centered in their square.

3. Explain to the groups that you will be calling out cardinal directions, and their challenge is to turn to face that direction 5 second after you call it out. E.g. Instructor calls “SOUTH!” and counts “5…4…3…2..1..turn!” and all campers must face the same corner and the same time.

4. If any camper faces the wrong direction, they will complete a ‘fun-sequence’ of a dance (instructor or campers choice), 10 jumping jacks, or any other activity you would like before joining back in.

5. Continue calling directions until you are confident each camper knows the cardinal directions **

LEVEL UP: call out a series, like Simon Says, and see if the teams can string together a coordinated progression of orientations. N, E, N, W, S, N, S!

Level 2:

At Level 2, campers will ‘race’ with bearings instead of cardinal directions, according to prescribed bearings that you call out. Final challenge will be to determine what shape they’ve made with their markers.

6. Announce to the campers that they have ‘graduated’ and are ready to embark on their mission to

7. Each camper starts 50 - 100 ft. apart

8. Camper goal: At each mark: where the bearing/paces leads you, place a marker and leave it there when you advance to the next place. Your goal is to complete the route in advance of other campers! AND identify the shape that you’ve made!

9. Call out the following bearings and have them written out on the white board

4. 1. 1. Triangle:

         1. Start in place facing 100*. Place a marker. Walk 15 paces with the 100* bearing.

         2. Place a marker. Set bearing to 245*. Walk 15 paces.

         3. Place a marker. Set bearing to 0*. Walk 15 paces.

            1. WHAT SHAPE DID YOU MAKE????

      2. Square:

         1. Start in place facing 30* east. Place a marker. Walk 20 paces with the 30* bearing.

         2. Place marker. Set bearing for 120*. Walk 20 paces

         3. Place marker. Set bearing for 210*. Walk 20 paces

         4. Place marker. Set bearing for 300*. Walk 20 paces

            1. WHAT SHAPE DID YOU MAKE???

      3. Star:

         1. Start in place facing 15*. Place a marker. Walk 5 paces with the 15* bearing.

         2. Place a marker. Set bearing for 330*. Walk 5 paces.

         3. Place a marker. Set bearing for 120*. Walk 5 paces.

         4. Place a marker. Set bearing for 40*. Walk 5 paces.

         5. Place a marker. Set bearing for 210*. Walk 5 paces.

         6. Place a marker. Set bearing for 120*. Walk 5 paces.

         7. Place a marker. Set bearing for 250*. Walk 5 paces.

         8. Place a marker. Set bearing for 180*. Walk 5 paces.

         9. Place a marker. Set bearing for 330*. Walk 5 paces.

            1. WHAT SHAPE DID YOU MAKE??????

   2. The camper that wins can earn the right to wear their bandana for the rest of the day!