Reading a Compass and Orienteering
How did the explorers of long ago find their way around? They
used a compass and a map. Compasses are still used today to help people
navigate across the landscape. They are used just for fun in the sport of
orienteering and competitive mounted orienteering!
Orienteering is navigating with a map and compass. It's easy to
learn, but always challenging. Orienteering is often called the "thinking
sport" because it involves map reading and decision-making.
Any kind of map may be used for orienteering (even a street map), but the best ones are detailed
maps developed especially for the sport. Orienteering
maps show boulders, cliffs, ditches, and fences, in addition to elevation,
vegetation, and trails.
Orienteering is a sport for everyone, regardless of age or
experience, but before you can try it, you need to know how to read a
compass.
Getting to know a compass
This first step in becoming an explorer is to learn how to read
and use a compass. There are many types of compasses. This will get you started
with a compass that has a rectangular base, a rotating dial, and housing made
of clear plastic.
Find the directional signs, north, south, east and west. North is the most
important direction to help orient yourself. Now find the orienting arrow,
magnetic needle, and the direction of travel arrow on your compass.
Using a compass
Now that you've taken a closer look at your compass, go outside
and give this fun activity a try.
Pick up four stones or twigs to use as markers. Put them in your
pocket. You might find it helpful to have someone read the following directions
to you.
Place a marker where you are standing.
Did you return to your first marker?
Go back and walk to each marker.
What shape did you make? You should have made a square.
Now repeat the activity using the following degrees: 360, 90,
180, 270. This should also make the same square.
Congratulations, you now know how to use a compass.
How did the explorers of long ago find their way around? They
used a compass and a map. Compasses are still used today to help people
navigate across the landscape. They are used just for fun in the sport of
orienteering and competitive mounted orienteering!
Orienteering is navigating with a map and compass. It's easy to
learn, but always challenging. Orienteering is often called the "thinking
sport" because it involves map reading and decision-making.
Any kind of map may be used for orienteering (even a street map), but the best ones are detailed
maps developed especially for the sport. Orienteering
maps show boulders, cliffs, ditches, and fences, in addition to elevation,
vegetation, and trails.
Orienteering is a sport for everyone, regardless of age or
experience, but before you can try it, you need to know how to read a
compass.
Getting to know a compass
This first step in becoming an explorer is to learn how to read
and use a compass. There are many types of compasses. This will get you started
with a compass that has a rectangular base, a rotating dial, and housing made
of clear plastic.
Find the directional signs, north, south, east and west. North is the most
important direction to help orient yourself. Now find the orienting arrow,
magnetic needle, and the direction of travel arrow on your compass.
- Notice that the magnetic needle points naturally towards the earth's
magnetic north pole. Be careful to keep your compass away from metal, like a
zipper, because it can affect the magnetic needle and lead you in the wrong
direction.
- Hold the compass level in the palm of your hand near your chest, with the
direction arrow facing away from body.
- Turn the housing so the N is lined up with the red end of the magnetic
needle.
- Turn the housing so the E is lined up with the direction of travel arrow.
Now you're ready to use the compass.
Using a compass
Now that you've taken a closer look at your compass, go outside
and give this fun activity a try.
Pick up four stones or twigs to use as markers. Put them in your
pocket. You might find it helpful to have someone read the following directions
to you.
Place a marker where you are standing.
- Turn the housing on the compass so that N (north) lines up with the
direction arrow.
- Hold the compass level in the palm of your hand, chest high, with the
direction arrow facing away from your body.
- Turn your whole body, including your feet, until the red magnetic needle
lines up with the orienting arrow on the dial.
- Look up. Choose a landmark, like a rock, tree or sign which is exactly ahead
of you in the distance. Take six steps toward that spot without looking at the
compass. Stop. Place a marker here.
- Turn the housing on the compass so that W (west) lines up with the direction
arrow. Repeat steps 3, 4, and 5.
- Turn the housing on the compass so that S (south) lines up with the
direction arrow. Repeat steps 3, 4, and 5.
- Turn the dial on the compass so that E (east) lines up with the direction
arrow.
Repeat steps 3, 4, and 5.
Did you return to your first marker?
Go back and walk to each marker.
What shape did you make? You should have made a square.
Now repeat the activity using the following degrees: 360, 90,
180, 270. This should also make the same square.
Congratulations, you now know how to use a compass.