30-Minute Activity Plan: Navigation Decision Challenge

Activity Overview

This activity gets young people thinking about navigation rather than simply following instructions.

The challenge is to give them a destination and let them decide how they are going to get there.

They’ll need to consider the map, terrain, distance and potential hazards before committing to a route.

Before You Start

Choose a familiar and suitable area with clear boundaries.

Prepare a simple route or several possible destinations.

Make sure the activity takes place away from roads, dangerous water, cliffs and other hazards.

For younger or less experienced groups, keep the activity within a clearly defined area and use simpler maps.

0–5 Minutes: Set the Challenge

Give each Patrol a map.

Point out their starting location and give them a destination.

Then ask:

“How would you get there?”

Don’t immediately tell them which route to use.

Give them a few minutes to study the map.

Ask them to identify obvious features and think about possible routes.

5–15 Minutes: Plan the Route

Each Patrol chooses its preferred route.

They should consider:

Distance

Terrain

Paths

Contours

Obstacles

Potential hazards

Ask them to explain why they chose their route.

There may be several perfectly reasonable answers.

The important thing is whether they can explain their decision.

15–25 Minutes: Follow the Route

Allow the teams to navigate the route within the agreed boundaries.

Keep appropriate supervision and make sure leaders know where each group is expected to be.

For older Explorers, you can introduce a small change.

“Your route is blocked. Find another way.”

Or:

“The weather has deteriorated. Choose a safer route.”

This encourages them to adapt rather than simply follow their original plan.

25–30 Minutes: Review

Bring everyone back together.

Ask:

“Did your route work?”

“What would you change?”

“Did the map match what you found on the ground?”

“What made one route better than another?”

Discuss how good navigation involves constant observation and decision-making.

Make It Easier

For Cubs or newer Scouts, use a small area and obvious features.

Give them a starting point and destination and allow them to follow a simple route.

You can also provide several marked points for them to navigate between.

Make It Harder

For experienced Scouts and Explorers, remove some of the assistance.

Ask them to plan the entire route themselves.

Introduce route restrictions such as:

“Avoid all roads.”

“You need to minimise steep ground.”

“Find the safest route rather than the shortest route.”

You can also introduce a fictional emergency requiring them to explain how they would communicate their location to someone else.

Safety

Navigation activities must be carefully planned and appropriately supervised.

Use a route and area suitable for the age, experience and ability of the group.

Set clear boundaries and establish what young people should do if they become unsure of their location.

Don’t deliberately abandon or isolate young people as part of a navigation challenge.

For older groups, any independent navigation should only take place where the appropriate training, risk assessment, supervision and organisational requirements are in place.

Check weather conditions before the activity and be prepared to change or cancel the route if conditions become unsuitable.

Follow current Scouts safety and safeguarding guidance.

Leader Notes

Try not to turn the activity into a race.

The fastest Patrol isn’t necessarily the best navigator.

A slower team that chooses a sensible route, notices hazards and adapts when conditions change may demonstrate much stronger navigation skills.

The real question is:

“Why did you choose that route?”

If they can explain their reasoning, they’re learning.

Learning Outcomes

Young people have opportunities to develop:

Map reading

Route planning

Decision-making

Observation

Risk awareness

Navigation confidence

Teamwork

Final Thought for Leaders

Navigation becomes much more interesting when young people have choices.

Instead of telling them:

“Go this way.”

Ask:

“Which way would you choose, and why?”

That small change turns navigation from following instructions into genuine problem-solving.

LEADER TIP

The shortest route isn’t always the best route.

Encourage young people to consider the whole journey, not just the distance.