Wetsakiwin Scout Camp - Orientering
Permanent Orienteering Course – How To
Step 1: Orienting the map
The most basic skill with navigation is
making sure the map is pointing north. When this happens, the map is ‘oriented’
and makes navigation much easier, as all the features are in the same position
on the ground as they are on the map.
If participants have a compass, it’s easy, just rotate the map until the
north needle (the red point) of the compass lines up with the north lines
on the map (the parallel black lines across the map).
No compass? No problem, you can use obvious features on the map to help
you. At Wetaskiwin I would recommend starting at the main bridge. To orient
the map, turn it until the river that goes under the bridge is tbvhe same
direction on the map as it is on the ground. Now to check, if the map is
oriented correctly, if you turn to face the parking lot and buildings,
they will be ‘in front’ of you on the map and the main field of the campground
will be ‘behind’ you.
Step 2: Moving to a checkpoint
You’re now ready to look for a checkpoint. If the map is oriented to north, the direction you need to travel on the ground is the same direction than if you drew a line on the map from where you are now to where you want to go.
Step 3: Reading features
Before you begin to travel to the checkpoint, use to the map to see what you can use to get there?
Is the checkpoint in the grassy campgrounds (yellow/orange) or in the forest (white). Can you follow a trail to get there (black dashed line) or a stream (thin blue line). What is the checkpoint going to be near? A building (dark grey shape) or a distinctive tree (green circle).
Use the legend on the map to help you decipher what the different symbols and colours mean