Scouting Program Archives: Orienteering Troop Program Feature

Finding your way in the woods or on a mountain trek can challenge the abilities of the most experienced outdoorsman. In America’s early days, the frontiersmen who opened the unmapped western lands traveled by highly developed powers of observation and memory. They could read the signs of mountain ridges, rivers, vegetation, wind direction, cloud movements, and the position of the sun, moon, and stars.

Today we have topographic maps and compasses for pathfinders. Being able to read maps, use compasses, and figure heights and widths are the skills needed for orienteering. The sport also requires thought, planning, decision-making, and stamina. As you plan for this program feature, make sure you provide challenges for Scouts of all skill levels.

The highlight this month will be an Outback Weekend. It might be held at the council’s Scout camp or a large park. Plan a weekend of map-and-compass activities that will test Scouts of all skill levels in the troop.

Find the complete plans for the Orienteering Troop Program Feature on the BSA website.

Related Articles:

BSA Methods - The Outdoors  One of the methods for Boy Scouts is “the outdoors”. Being outdoors presents Boy Scouts with challenges and adventures. Boys enjoy the independence of getting away from home and taking care of themselves.

Troop Program Features - Program Planning  The Scoutmaster, Senior Patrol Leader, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader work together to develop long term plans for a Boy Scout troop. One thing which can help with this is the BSA troop program features.

Personal Measurement Log for Orienteering  When you go on an orienteering course, you need to have some ways to measure things. Some of the methods used require you to have something of known length for comparison. A personal measurement log will help you with this.

The Outdoor Code  Every Scout who is spending time outdoors should be familiar with the Outdoor Code. It is especially important for Webelos, Boy Scouts, and Venturers who are out camping regularly.

Troop Program Features for Meetings and Outings  Boy Scout program features let a troop to plan its meetings around a theme.

Maps, Compasses, and Declination  Scouts will be interested to learn that the north indicated by their compasses is not really true north. Instead it points to the magnetic north pole, which is not fixed. The difference between true north and magnetic north is called declination.

Guide Me Game for Webelos, Boy Scouts, and Venturers  This game makes a fun break in a meeting. It is appropriate for Webelos, Boy Scouts, or Venturers. The will have to work together to accomplish their goal.