Vocabulary

Boundary

The perimeter of the play area. All checkpoints will be inside the boundary.

Checkpoint

A location marked with a circle on the map, and a marker (such as a cone, flag or streamer) in real life. In the sport of orienteering, checkpoints are called "controls".

Clue sheet

A list of the checkpoint codes. In Animal-O, the codes are pictures of different animals. On a normal orienteering map, the codes are numbers and the clue sheet also has information about the feature at the checkpoint. More information at the "Learn Orienteering" website. In the sport of orienteering, this is formally known as "control descriptions"; it is printed on the map and available as a stand-alone printed copy for competitors to insert into a handy clue sheet holder worn around the wrist.

Course

A sequence or collection of checkpoints. To do a course, start at the Start, visit each checkpoint, and end at the Finish.

Feature

An object in real life, such as a tree, boulder or building. Features are represented by symbols on the map.

Gathering signal

A signal such as a whistle or a raised hand, telling the group to gather by the leader.

Landmark

A distinct object or location in the space

Map

A picture or image used to represent the environment

Mental map

A map that you have in your mind.

Orient the map

Turn the map to match up with reality.

Orienteering

A timed sport like cross-country running in which you visit checkpoints shown on a map. Orienteering's rules and mapping standards are set by the International Orienteering Federation. National and international championships are run by national and international governing bodies.

Pattern map

A map (diagram) of a set of objects arranged in a pattern.

Picture map

A drawn picture or diagram of a space that can be used as a map to find things.

Route choice

A path you can use to get from one location to another.

Spatial memory

The ability to remember where things are in space.

Spatial relationship words

Where something is based on the observer and/or other features in the space. Relationship words include "next to", "beyond", "between", "left", "right", "behind".

Symbol

A map symbol is a graphic representation of a real-life feature. For example, the map symbol for a tree is a small green circle.