Orienteering in a Box Thanks to Roger Marsh for this awesome activity!
The purpose of this activity is to teach Cub Scouts the basics of using a compass.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED: (For your convenience, I’m including my Amazon affiliate to some of the products)
10 meter Tape Measure Two Cones or Bases Compass - (This one has an LED backlight) Headlamp Cardboard Box Route Cards - (At the end of this document) Pencil or pen for each boy
PREPARATION: This activity works best with a small group of about 6 boys, so calculate the number of routes you’ll need. If you have 30 boys, you’ll need 5 routes or squares.
Find an area large enough for the routes. The squares should be aligned with magnetic north.
Thanks to Roger Marsh for this image!
Cub Scout Ideas Place one of the cones or bases on the starting point. Put the second cone 10 meters east of the first one.
In an area separate from the routes, mark two parallel lines 10 meters apart. We used spray paint on the grass. This will be where the boys measure the length of their stride.
THE ACTIVITY: 1. Go over the key items on a compass and demonstrate how a compass works.
2. Have the boys calculate how many paces it will take them to walk 10 meters. To do this, the Scouts line up on one of the parallel lines. Each Scout walks at his normal stride and counts his steps to reach the other line. Repeat this 3 or 4 times. Write down the average number of steps.
3. Put the Scouts into groups of 5 or 6. Each group will be assigned to a different starting location. Each location should have an adult or older Boy Scout directing the small group. Boys will line up and take turns doing the remainder of the activity.
4. One at a time, a Scout is given a compass and headlamp. He is also given a route to follow. The box is placed over his head. The Scout then follows the route using the compass. When they reach their “destination”, the box is removed. Then, they walk to the ACTUAL ending point, counting their steps. This will determine how far from the course they ended.
We didn’t use headlamps. The boys were able to hold their route cards toward the bottom of the box to see them. Another suggestion is to cut a hole in the box to let in some light. Just don’t make it at eye level!
You could award a prize to the boy who comes closest to the actual finish line.
Cub Scout Ideas Route Maps (Do not share with Cubs) Route 1 Route 2 Route 3
S F S F S F
Route 4 Route 5 Route 6
S F S F S F Orienteering in a Box Route 1 Orienteering in a Box Route 2
Name Name
10 meters = paces 10 meters = paces
Distance Distance Bearing Distance Distance Bearing Stage Stage (m) (paces) (m) (paces)
1 10m North 1 20m North
2 10m East 2 10m East
3 10m North 3 10m South
4 10m East 4 10m East
5 10m South 5 10m South
6 10m West 6 10m West
7 10m South 7
Distance from finish = paces Distance from finish = paces Orienteering in a Box Route 3 Orienteering in a Box Route 4
Name Name
10 meters = paces 10 meters = paces
Distance Distance Bearing Distance Distance Bearing Stage Stage (m) (paces) (m) (paces)
1 10m North 1 20m North
2 20m East 2 10m East
3 10m North 3 10m South
4 10m West 4 10m West
5 20m South 5 10m South
6 6 10m East
7 7
Distance from finish = paces Distance from finish = paces Orienteering in a Box Route 5 Orienteering in a Box Route 6
Name Name
10 meters = paces 10 meters = paces
Distance Distance Bearing Distance Distance Bearing Stage Stage (m) (paces) (m) (paces)
1 20m East 1 10m East
2 10m North 2 20m North
3 10m West 3 10m East
4 10m North 4 10m South
5 10m West 5 10m West
6 20m South 6 10m South
7 10m East 7
Distance from finish = paces Distance from finish = paces