Compass Relay

Turn compass practice into a team relay. Scouts take turns navigating between marked points using simple compass bearings, then pass the challenge to the next team member.

The focus is on accurate navigation and teamwork rather than simply being the fastest team.

What You’ll Learn

Scouts will practise:

• Using a compass correctly
• Finding and following bearings
• Estimating distances
• Checking their direction
• Working effectively as a team
• Communicating navigation instructions

Equipment

• Compasses
• Cones or markers
• Bearing cards
• Measuring tape or marked rope
• Pens and paper
• Optional: simple maps

Prerequisites

Scouts should already understand the basic parts of a compass and be able to identify the four main directions.

They should have had some introduction to bearings before attempting the relay.

Instructions

1. Set up a series of marked points around the activity area.
2. Divide the Scouts into teams of 3–5.
3. Give each team a compass and explain the route.
4. Place a bearing challenge at each point.
5. The first Scout from each team navigates to the first marker.
6. At the marker, they complete the challenge, such as identifying a bearing or finding a nearby object.
7. They then return to their team and pass the compass to the next Scout.
8. The next Scout follows the instructions to the next marker.
9. Continue until every Scout has completed at least one navigation leg.
10. For the final round, give teams a bearing and distance without telling them where it will lead.
11. The team must navigate together and find the final marker.
12. Finish by discussing which techniques helped them stay on course.

Make It Harder

Give each team a sequence of bearings and distances that they must record before starting.

Add simple map-reading tasks or grid references at the checkpoints.

Make It Easier

Use only the four main compass directions rather than degree bearings.

Keep the markers relatively close together and allow Scouts to work in pairs.

Final Tip

Don’t make the relay purely about speed. A team that takes an extra minute to check its bearing is likely to beat a team that rushes in the wrong direction.