CCA.Pointman Certification Requirements (Just Tests)

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PAX V Using triangulation, V Using an altimeter, V Estimating distances and hiking times accurately. POINTMAN’S 11. With your Squad Leader you have organized a mountain climb: • You show why you have chosen that particular itinerary C E R T I F I C A T I O N R E Q U I R E M E N T S (you have drawn the itinerary’s elevation profile to make sure that the itinerary is adapted to all your squad mates, you show the points of interest…), • You have foreseen and organized all appropriate safety measures (itinerary restricted to the Staff, break locations, lunch and evening camp locations, eventual cabin, eventual escape and/or rescue route…) • You follow and make others follow the mountain hike rules: speed, breaks, back up, individual and company discipline (respect of nature, no stone throwing, no short cutting…) 12. You have opened the trail in randonnée, cross-country, back- country skis or snowshoes during 2 outings: 13. You choose 1 amongst the 2 following options: a. You have joined in a summer or winter trail marking bee. b. You have set up a snow orienteering course (skis or snowshoes). CATHOLIC CADETS OF AMERICA

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trails: E.g. using, in your Squad’s Base of Operations, a wall 1. Navigation Certifications: map or a 3D map of your region, with pins, markers…

Squad pointmen may prepare and pass either the Scout or 8. You know how mountain vegetation changes with altitude: foot- Orienteer certification; hills (deciduous forest or grasslands), montane from the mid- Afterwards, they may deepen their navigational skills by pre- altitude forests to the tree line (conifers), subalpine zone and paring and passing the following certifications: Topographer , alpine zone (closed carpet of vegetation that includes alpine Geocacher , Mountain Navigator and Surveyor . meadows, shrubs and sporadic dwarfed trees), Snow zone. In this booklet you will find the requirements for all these 9. You know precisely the meaning of several mountain features: certifications, except for that of Surveyor . aiguille, arête, bergschrund, butte, cairn, cirque, col, cornice, couloir, crag, crevasse, dihedral, dome, gendarme, glacier, gully, REQUIREMENTS COMMON TO ALL headwall, highpoint, horn, inselberg, knob, knoll, ledge, massif, NAVIGATION CERTIFICATIONS. moat, moraine, mesa, needle, pass, peak, penitentes, plateau, range, saddle, scree, serac, shoulder, snow line, spire, spur, 1. Compass: summit, sun cup, talus, tree line, verglas… • Theory: 10. You have proved that you master map reading: V You know and are capable of explaining how a compass • You know very well the map signs. works and what the features of an orienteering com- • You read and identify altitudes on a map properly. pass (baseplate compass, like a Silva compass) are. • Then, in the field you have proved that you are capable of V You know the different angle measurement systems verifying your itinerary: (degrees, mills, grades), and how to convert them. V Using all the clues given by the map (distances, hy- • Practice: drography, vegetation, contour lines…), V In the field, you know how to take a compass bearing V Using the trail marks on the actual trails, and follow it.

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NOTE: To fulfil this requirement, you will need to set up a 2. Map: You fulfil ALL the following conditions: free user account with www.geocaching.com . Before doing so, • You know the basics of Topography: Longitudes and Lati- ask your parent for permission. If you do not have your par- tudes, geographical coordinates (UTM, MGRS and ents’ permission, then you are dispensed from this requirement. USNG), projections (cylindrical, Conic, UTM and UPS), 14. You have set up and hidden a public geocache, following terrain features. proper geocaching technique and etiquette. However, before • You know the most common scales used by modern maps, doing so, you have briefed your CO and given him a six- both imperial (1:24,000, 1:62,500, 1:63,360) and metric month maintenance plan for the geocache where you are (1:25,000, 1: 100,000, 1:150,000, 1:250,000), and you are personally responsible for the first three months. After capable of understanding them; you also know how to use setting up the geocache, with your parent's permission, fol- aerial photos. low the logs online for 30 days and keep your CO informed. • You know the map symbols and teach them to your squad’s Novices. 15. You organized a geohunt for a youth group such as your pla- • toon, your squad, friends…: You chose a theme, set up a You know the meaning of topographical maps’ marginal notes and symbols (GN & MN, UTM or Long/Lat Coordi- course with at least four waypoints, taught the players how nate grids and numbers, scale…) to use a GPS unit, and play the game. • You know the different methods used by maps to repre- sent terrain altitude (contour lines, shades, bench marks). You are capable of identifying a gentle slope, a MOUNTAIN NAVIGATOR’S CERTIFICATION: steep slope, a cliff, a gully or couloir, a ridge, a summit, a cirque or bowl, a saddle, pass or col. NB. You must first fulfil requirements 1 to 6 common to • You are capable of determining the altitude of a point on all Navigation certifications (pages 2 to 4). the map. 7. You know and have made others also know your region’s main summits, main mountain trails, and main back country ski

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• You know the meaning of magnetic declination, and why • You know the UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) you must consider declination when using map and com- system, and the MGRS (Military Grid Reference Sys- pass together. tem) or the USNG (United Stated National Grid), and • You know how to measure distances on a map using a how they differ from the latitude/longitude system compass. used for public geocaches. • You know how to orient a map using a compass. • You know how to plot a UTM, and a MGRS or USNG way- • You are capable of identifying your position on a map, of point on a map. Compare the accuracy to that found with calculating its coordinates in DMS, Decimal Minutes, Dec- a GPS unit. imal Degrees, UTM, and MGRS (or USNG), and of identi- 10. You are capable of properly planning an activity that uses a fying the main features of the surrounding landscape. GPS, including using the buddy system, sharing your plan 3. You have set up a 100-meter pace course. You have deter- with others, and considering the weather, route, and proper mined your walking and running pace for 100 metres. You attire. know why it is important to pace-count. 11. You know how to use proper geocaching etiquette when hid- 4. You can orient yourself in the field (or aboard) with a ing or seeking a cache, how to properly hide, post, maintain, wristwatch, a compass, a map; and at night you are capable and dismantle a geocache, and why you should never bury a of finding the Polar Star immediately. cache,

5. You have led your squad with a compass, by day and by 12. You know the four steps for finding your first cache. night, on an off-trail itinerary at least 3 km (2 miles) long 13. With your parent's permission, you went to and on varied terrain conditions (forest, hills, bush, meadow…). www.geocaching.com (or any other geocaching website) on line, typed in your zip code to locate public geocaches in 6. You know what a GPS is, how it works, and how to use one. your area, then picked a geocache and found the cache.

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9. You are capable of triangulating your position and indicating it on the map. SCOUT’S (= Raider’s) CERTIFICATION:

10. You know what a GPS is, how it works, and how to use one. NB. You must first fulfil requirements 1 to 6, common to all Navigation certifications (pages 2 to 4). 7. You possess you own Scouting (=raid) gear, which includes: GEOCAHER’S CERTIFICATION: A minimalist day-type pack (e.g. the Marine Corps ILBE Assault Pack), a map case (which can accommodate a cou- NB. You must first fulfil requirements 1 to 6 common ple of maps and a compass), a good compass (Magnetic to all Navigation certifications (pages 2 to 4). Declination Adjustment screw – 2° increments – mirror – 1:24,000 and 1:25,000 scales at least, both inches and cm 7. You know the following terms used in geocaching: waypoint, rulers, for use with inch and cm maps), an IFAK (individual log, cache, accuracy, difficulty and terrain ratings, attrib- First Aid Kit), a 10ish metres (30 ft) lasso or rope (not utes, trackable, and 5 other terms. cord), a couple of tin-foil sheets, a water bottle, a note- 8. GPS: You know how the Global Positioning System (GPS) book and a pencil, a New Testament, your pocket knife or works, and how to use a GPS receiver. You have actually used dagger, a small Survival Kit (matches kept in a waterproof one during a hike or another activity, and you have marked container, tinder like cotton balls in flammable substance , and edited at least 10 waypoints, changed once field func- fire starter rod and striker, plastic bags like Ziplocs as tions, and changed once the coordinate system in the unit. water containers, water purification tablets, Fishing hooks and line, thin wire for trapping, signalling mirror, emergen- 9. Map/Compass Navigation: You have acquired the following skills: cy USCG approved whistle, survival blanket, a compact • You know the similarities and differences between GPS multi-tool, a couple of safety pins and nails, Duct tape). navigation and standard map-reading skills and the bene- Your Scouting clothes are your CFU or CDU (with changes fits of each. only according to the weather).

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8. You have achieved the following Scouting Expedition (=raid): • You choose 1 amongst the following 3 options: • You have walked 2/3 of the day and 1/3 of the night and a. Before a hike, you have sketched down the eleva- done about 15 kms (about 10 miles): the actual itinerary tion profile of the hike, and azimuths were chosen by the Staff to provide you b. Or, in order to prepare an Optical Relay, you have with an opportunity for practicing navigation techniques, sketched down the elevation profile between 2 Re- physical effort, perseverance and decision making. lay Stations,; • You have cooked your own meal, including your own c. Or, when choosing the site for a Cadet Camp, you de- bread, without utensils and pots/pans…, according to termine the site’s hidden and visible features as well the Cadet Trapper’s method. as the possible routes for a long distance Optical Re- • You have set up your own shelter and slept in it. lay and where a Panoramic Sketch can be done. • You have made and written down a meditation, on a • You choose 1 amongst the following 2 options: topic chosen by the COH. V You have made a map of the site for a Cadet Camp (Area: 500 m by 500 m – scale: 1:2,000): on your ORIENTEER’S CERTIFICATION: map you not only indicated the usual land features (contour lines, watercourses…) but you also added NB. You must first fulfil requirements 1 to 6, common to all Navigation certifications (pages 2 to 4). the following details: squad basecamps, Assembly area with the mast for the colours, platoon campfire 7. Compass: You know what an Orienteering compass (baseplate area… ; you added a couple of panoramic sketches of compass like the Silva compass) is and what its special fea- the area to help your Platoon Staff get a better tures are, and you know how to use one (measure distances idea of the campsite and its surroundings. on a map, and take and follow a bearing in the field). V You have made a 3D mini-model of a particular place. 8. Map: You know how to measure distances on a map using an 8. You are capable of calculating the angle of a slope. orienteering compass.

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ers, ruler (with inches and cms), good Sylva compass, several 9. Pace Count: You have set up a 100-meter pace course. You different scales protractors, eraser, a basic curvimeter, have determined your walking pace (both with and without and one or more grids to draw panoramic sketches. your full backpack) and running pace for 100 metres. You 7. Maps: know why it is important to pace-count. • You have some notions on how a map is made (geodesic, 10. Orienteering Principles: topographical and cartographic stages), • You know the international control description sym- • You know the most common scales used by modern maps, bols, and on any orienteering map you can identify and both imperial (1:24,000, 1:62,500, 1:63,360) and metric understand the meaning of 20 of them. (1:25,000, 1: 100,000, 1:150,000, 1:250,000), and you are • You know what a control description sheet is and are capable of understanding them; you also know how to use capable of explaining the information provided. aerial photos. • You know and are capable of explaining the following • You know the map symbols and teach them to your terms and telling when you would use them: attack squad’s Novices. point, collecting feature, catching feature, aiming off, • You know the meaning of topographical maps’ marginal contouring, reading ahead, handrail, relocation, rough notes and symbols (GN & MN, UTM or Long/Lat Coordi- versus fine orienteering. nate grids and numbers, scale…) 11. Orienteering Experience: • You know the different methods used by maps to repre- • You have taken part in three orienteering events (one sent terrain altitude (contour lines, shades, bench of these must be a cross-country course). After each marks). You are capable of identifying a gentle slope, a event, you have written a report with (1) a copy of the steep slope, a cliff, a gully or couloir, a ridge, a summit, a master map and control description sheet, (2) a copy cirque or bowl, a saddle, pass or col… of the route you took on the course, (3) a discussion of • You are capable of determining the altitude of a point on how you could improve your time between control the map.

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points, and (4) a list of your major weaknesses on this course and how you could improve yourself. You have TOPOGRAPHER’S CERTIFICATION: shown your report to your PL or CO. NB. You are dispensed from passing requirements 1-6 • You choose 2 amongst the following 3 options: (pages 2 to 4) prerequisite to other Navigation related certifications. You are bound to pass the following requirements only: a. For your squad/crew, or platoon, you set up a cross-country course that was at least 2,000 me- 1. You know the basics of Topography: Longitudes and Latitudes, ters long with at least 5 control markers; and you geographical coordinates (UTM, MGRS and USNG), projec- prepared the master map and control description tions (cylindrical, Conic, UTM and UPS), terrain features. sheet. 2. You have devised your own distance and angle measuring b. For your squad/crew, or platoon, you set up a methods (pace count, palm extended before your eyes…). score orienteering course with at least 12 control

points and a time limit of at least 60 minutes. You 3. You are capable of estimating distances and lengths, taking set point values for each control, and prepared the into account weather, light and terrain conditions which dis- master map and control description sheet. tort distance perception. You know the distance estimation table and use it for your calculations. c. You acted as an official during an orienteering 4. You have built your own (basic) stadia, and you use it regularly. event. This may have 5. You know the dimensions of some current items (standard been during the run- window, standard story, standard house, standard telephone ning of the course pole, standard distance between telephone poles, truck, av- you set up. erage oak, average palm tree…). 12. You have initiated your 6. squad/crew, or platoon, to You have your own complete topographic kit (in its case): orienteering. map case, notebooks, several maps (laminated whenever possible, for both protection and marking), pencils, pens, mark-

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