101 - Map & Compass

Learning Objectives

As a result of this experience, each participant should be able to:

• Complete advancement requirements S3ab.
• Use a compass and understand basically how a compass and map can work together.

Materials Required

• Several different types of maps (street maps, topographical maps).
• 1 compass and map for every participant.

Discovery

Play the Beginner’s Compass Game (also in BSA Item # 600893). Divide scouts into teams of two and then see how accurate they are with the compass. Make sure to help those scouts who have never used a compass before by giving a brief explanation.

Teaching-Learning

1. The Compass
   1. What are the parts of the compass you’ve been using? Aim for the following main points.
      • Needle.
      • Orienting arrow
      • Direction of Travel arrow.
   2. How do you use a compass?
      1. To follow a bearing (they should all know this one)?
      2. How about to take a bearing?
         • Point direction of travel arrow at object.
         • Align the Orienting arrow with the north end of the needle.
         • Read degrees at the base of the direction of travel arrow.
2. Maps.
   1. Ask scouts to look at the maps you’ve brought. Ask them what similarities and differences they see (one has contour lines, the scales are different, both use the same symbols, etc.)
   2. Map Colors:
      • Green: Forests, woodlands, orchards, and other areas of heavy vegetation.
      • White: Mostly clear of trees--fields, meadows, rocky slopes, or open country.
      • Blue: Water--streams, lakes, etc.
      • Black: Man made--roads, bridges, buildings, etc.
   3. Ask scouts what they thing the contour lines are for? Explain how they are used.
3. Orienting the map: Show scouts how to orient the map and let each try to do it on his own.

Application

Before anyone arrives, circle a set of points on each of the Scout’s maps. Number the points on one of them in a circular pattern (this will be the ‘master’ map). Take degree readings from point to point, moving in a circular pattern (like an orienteering course). Write these down and instruct scouts to use the degree readings to number the points on their map. When everyone is done, give them the correct answers.

Resources