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2nd-Req:1b (Compass Hike)
David F. Delman (Delman01@COMPUSERVE.COM)
Fri, 25 Sep 1998 10:00:04 -0400
<<23 Sep 1998 10:57:00 Storms, Randy" <rstorms@BHAM.WEDNET.EDU>>
Hi WA-RandyS,
OK everything you wrote is the same as I =
understand it. So let me tell you how I =
did it and observed the results.
<<If the hike is to be done on a trail, it seems that the trail
<< would need tobe mapped *as it was hiked*, with compass bearings
<< and landmarks noted along the way, or else the "map" would =
<<simply consist of a long squiggly line with "Trailhead" at one
<< end and "Camp" at the other. I don't see how a scout
<<could prepare his map around the kitchen table prior to the =
<<hike without resorting to copying it from an existing map; =
<<and what skill does that teach? Tracing?
Yep, =
1>Tracing his map is OK or
2>Copying a map and then marking his hiking =
or his biking path is OK
I wanted it from the start point which in my case =
included a highway map to the hiking place which =
was one of our very wooded confusing trails.
My last 5 miles was on the trail. Awhile ago another
leader gave me a great early Sunday AM street trail
map for the 10 mile bike trip. =
I made sure the hiking path chosen by the scout was a =
bit weavy with a few double backs rather than a big =
circle, square, or a simple out and back.
Don't know if you can easily find trail maps in the =
NW. Our local hiking club has a booklet of all our =
trails that was useful. You may have the same or you
can go over to the University and probably make copies
of the local USGS maps from their map room.
On the Road or on the Trail
---------------------------
The scout used the map and the compass to tell us
which way we were headed, which way to go and =
when to make a turn.
This can be quite an experience since in the =
field is not as clear cut as on a piece of =
paper. OF COURSE I coached it that way.
We added the sun's position and magnetic north
into the yip yap, as well as distance estimation
on the trail to make sure he knew S from SW/SE
or NE/NW in winter and when a turn was in order.
The turns and then discussions about being
still on course via the compass and map was =
one real meat of this exercise. The other was
the hiking exercise.
If the scout gets lost in this first endeavor
SO WHAT!! and maybe GOOD since you can discuss
the errors made and future improvement. =
Plan a nice day pack, and a rest stop.
The buddy coming along
----------------------
Yes, I know you are correct. For sure even in
a safe area the scout leader, if taking a non =
related boy out, should take two to three boys. =
Preferrably he should use the opportunity to
invite the parent or guardian to also tag along.
The other boy, if higher ranked, can refresh
his skills and be a partial instructor.
Observation / Purpose
----------- / -------
For many scouts this seems a bit much in terms
of what they can grasp and really internalize.
So the fact they did it and are starting to
grasp some of the concepts involved seems =
about the best that can be achieved
The exercise of at least doing this activity =
with the scout in charge, yet guided, and the =
hike or bike exercise seems the real purpose.
5 Miles by foot seems long in time yet just =
about right to add enough diversity to the =
map practice.
Expect a less than Tenderfoot Back Woods Hiker
to come out of this experience and you will be
pleased. Some others will surprise you.
YiS, IMHO, and may we each attempt to live the SO,SL,SS,SM
Mr Dave (Hawleyton, NY (Baden-Powell Council=
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