Develop navigation skills through fun Scout games using maps, compasses, directions, routes and challenges that make learning practical and engaging.
Understanding directions is one of those outdoor skills that seems simple at first, but becomes incredibly useful once you start exploring. Knowing the difference between north, south, east and west gives you a basic way of describing where things are and helps you make sense of maps, paths and the landscape around you. You don’t…
Activity Overview Can your team use grid references to find the hidden checkpoints? 👦 Age: 8–18👥 Group size: 4–30⏱️ Duration: 45–60 minutes📍 Location: Outdoors⭐ Difficulty: 3/5 Grab a map, split into teams and get ready to explore. In this navigation activity, teams must use grid references to find a series of hidden checkpoints around an…
Navigation is one of the most valuable outdoor skills an Explorer can develop. At Explorer level, navigation can move beyond simple map-reading exercises. Young people can start making their own route decisions, interpreting more complicated terrain, using different navigation methods and solving realistic problems. The aim isn’t simply to teach Explorers how to follow a…
Navigation is one of the most useful outdoor skills a Scout can develop. It can turn a walk into an adventure and give Scouts the confidence to explore unfamiliar places safely. But navigation doesn’t have to start with complicated bearings and technical terminology. Scouts can learn through games, challenges, route planning and practical outdoor activities….
Navigation is one of those outdoor skills that becomes much easier when it’s taught through games. Cubs can learn to recognise landmarks, follow routes, understand maps and begin using a compass without needing to start with complicated theory. The key is to make navigation feel like an adventure rather than a classroom lesson. A campsite,…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Navigation becomes a very different skill when the sun goes down. Familiar landmarks disappear. Distances become harder to judge. Paths can be more difficult to identify. Even a route that feels easy during the day can require much more concentration at night. That’s what makes night navigation such a useful challenge for…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Advanced navigation activities should be planned around the ability of the group and the environment you’re using. Set clear boundaries, use appropriate supervision and have a suitable emergency plan. Explorers should never be deliberately placed in a situation where becoming genuinely lost or unable to return safely is part of the activity….
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Navigation activities should take place in an area appropriate for the age and experience of the group. Set clear boundaries and make sure leaders know where participants are at all times. Start with simple, controlled exercises before allowing children to navigate independently. For activities away from your meeting location, use appropriate supervision,…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Map reading activities can be run in a classroom, campsite or outdoors, but activities that involve moving around outside require appropriate planning and supervision. Before sending teams out, check the map, terrain, weather, boundaries and hazards. Make sure Scouts know where they are allowed to go and have a clear instruction for…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Navigation games should take place in an appropriate, clearly defined area with suitable adult supervision. Before starting, leaders should check the route, weather, terrain, boundaries and any hazards. Make sure young people understand where they can and cannot go and establish a clear stop signal. The aim is to develop navigation skills…
