A guide to the Navigator Badge - The Scout Association guide... · 2012-08-30 · 8 Scout Badge:...

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A guide to the Navigator BadgeFor Scout Leaders

www.scouts.org.uk

Sponsored by

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WelcomeIn today’s world young people undertake a wide variety of journeys. These range from travelling to and from school, visiting relatives, holidays abroad and, of course, Scout nights away! Many things that young people come into contact with have also made long journeys – for example, food, clothing and electronics.

Navigation and exploration are exciting and dynamic topics that can take Scouts out of their meeting place and into local communities – coming into contact with new environments via new experiences.

We are all natural explorers; from the moment of birth we begin to navigate our surroundings. First we become familiar with our own environment, we then begin to explore other places and form perceptions beyond our direct experience. Navigation is an essential skill that will help young people to place themselves in the world.

Much of the Scout Navigator Badge centres on reading and understanding maps and navigating a variety of routes – using a number of techniques. Knowing how to interpret maps and navigate is a skill that will enhance the confidence and knowledge of Scouts to make journeys safely and further prepare them for the various terrains and hazards.

Navigating effectively allows us to make the most of a particular area and allows us to discover new surroundings. Ordnance Survey® produces a wide range of maps, differing in scales, that can be used for a number of outdoor and adventurous activities.

This resource is a practical guide, based on Alternative A, intended to help you work through the Scout Navigator Badge with your Troop and links closely with the resource for young people, created by Ordnance Survey’s MapZone®, www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone. There are a number of opportunities throughout this resource when MapZone can be used as material for your Scouts.

There are four aspects to this award:

1. Using 1:25 000 and 1:50 000 scale Ordnance Survey maps.2. Understanding traffic signs and signals.3. Navigating our roads.4. The practical use of a compass.

For each aspect, we’ve provided some background knowledge, some things to think about, things to do and things to discuss. You’ll also find some useful contacts listed at the back of this resource. Please think creatively about how you will approach this Activity Badge – it doesn’t need four weeks to complete the four steps. There are a variety of methods that you can use to successfully deliver this award.

Good luck and have fun! Please do get in touch with the Scout Section Office at Gilwell Park.

Email [email protected] or phone 0845 300 1818 and let us know how you get on.

Written by:Peter Oliver and Peter Evans

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Scout Badge: Navigator 1

Ordnance Survey mapsUsing 1:50 000 and 1:25 000 scale Ordnance Survey maps:• Showthattheyunderstandthemeaningofscale,true,gridandmagneticnorthandcanrecognise

conventional map symbols.• Interpretcontourlinesintermsofshapeandsteepnessofterrain.Knowthemeaningoftopographical

featuressuchasvalley,col,ridge,spurandsoon.• Showhowtosetamapwithandwithoutacompass.Beabletouseandtogivesix-figuregridreferences.

DemonstratetheuseofaRomertoimproveaccuracy.• Showhowtomeasuredistancesonamapandhowtoestimatetimingsforaparticularroute.• Showhowtofindnorthwithouttheaidofacompass,bydayornight.• DemonstratetheirawarenessofthelatestdevelopmentsinelectronictechnologysuchastheGlobal

PositioningSystem.

ThissectionofthebadgeexpectsScoutstoshowanin-depthunderstandingofOrdnanceSurveymaps,rangingfromunderstandingscaleandcontourlinestovarioustopographicalfeatures.ItwouldbeadvisabletoobtainseveralOrdnanceSurveymaps(theExplorer™rangeisideal)ofyourlocalareaortheareawhereyouregularlycampwiththeScouts,asthiswillallowthemtoappreciatehowphysicallandmarksarerepresentedandalsowillallowthemtovisualisethelandscapeshownonthemapitself.

Comparing scales

BeforetheScoutscanbegintouseanOrdnanceSurveymap,theyneedtounderstanditsscale.Allmapsaredrawntoscale,whichmeansthereisadirectrelationshipbetweendistancesmeasuredonthegroundanddistancesmeasuredonthemaps,usuallyshownbythescalebaronthemap.Whenreadingamap,thefirstthingyoushoulddoisestablishthescale;itisnormallyexpressedasaratio,suchas1:25000.Thismeansthat1unitofmeasurementonthemapisequalto25000ofthesameunitsofmeasurementontheground.BelowisatablecomparingthetwomainscalesthatwouldbeusedbyScoutsforwalkingandsoon.

1:25 000 scale

Mapsatascaleof1:25000aresometimescalledmedium-scalemaps.

Onecentimetreona1:25000scalemapisequalto25000centimetres(or250metres–¼kilometre)ontheground;fourcentimetresonthemapthereforerepresents one kilometre on the ground.

Therefore,twoandahalfinchesonthemapisequalto one mile on the ground

At1:25000scale,majorbuildingsorlandmarksareclearlyvisible;otherfeaturessuchasfieldboundariesandwallsalsoappear.Atthisscalenoroad names or smaller details are shown.

Mapsat1:25000scaleareusedbywalkersandother outdoor enthusiasts but they also contain enoughdetailforlocalareaplanningpurposes.

1:50 000 scale

Mapsatascaleof1:50000aresmall-scalemaps.

Onecentimetreona1:50000scalemapisequalto50000centimetres(or500metres–½kilometre)ontheground;fourcentimetresonthemapthereforerepresentstwokilometresontheground(2cm=1km).

Therefore,oneandaquarterinchesonthemapisequaltoonemileontheground.

At1:50000scale,majorbuildingsmaybeshowninsomedetail,iftheyarelargeenough.Individualbuildingsarenolongershown,theybecomeblockedtogether. Field boundaries will no longer appear.

Mapsat1:50000scaleareusedforgeneral-purposeuse,forexample,businessplanning,motoring,walkingandcycling.

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1:25 000 scale map © Crown copyright

1:50 000 scale map © Crown copyright

Help get your Scouts to understand scale by getting them to draw two maps to different scales of your meeting place (as any larger map would prove to be difficult). Give them the dimensions of the hall/building and ask them to include some of the internal features, for example, toilets, stages, side rooms and so on.

Obtain two Ordnance Survey maps of the same geographical location but to different scales. This will allow the Scouts to appreciate the difference between the two. An idea would be to get the Scouts to construct a table discussing the advantages and disadvantages and situations where they could use each map.

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Finding north with and without a compass

What is north?

There are actually three norths

1. True north

Thisisthecelestialnorth,whichisobtainedfromreadingstakenfromthesunorthestars.Thiscanbefoundbyknowinghowtoidentifyconstellationsintheskyorbyusingtheshadowscausedbythesun,andtheirmovementthroughoutthedaytoobtainanortherndirection.Alongwiththis,foraveryroughestimateoranortherndirectionwecansimplybeawarethatthesunitselfrisesintheeastandsetsinthewest.

Shadow Stick method

Drivea(straight)stickintothegroundasnearverticallyaspossibleandmarkthetipofitsshadowwith a stone or peg.

Waitatleast15minutesandmarkthetipofthenewshadow,inasimilarway.

Thelinefromthefirstmarker,runningthroughthesecond,will,inthenorthernhemisphere,pointroughlyeast.Thismeansthatthenorth-southlineisatarightangletothis,withnorthpointingawayfromthe stick.

Itismostaccuratetowardsthemiddleoftheday.

Using your watch to find north from the position of the sun

Ifyouhaveawristwatchwherethehandsgoroundtheface,youcanuseittolocatenorth.Thesunisalwaysdue south at ‘true’ midday in the northern hemisphere. By‘true’middaywemeanGreenwichMeanTime(GMT),soifyouareinBritishSummerTime,youwillneedtotakeanhourofftheactualtime.Pointthehourhandtowardsthesun.Ifitisafter6.00amorbefore6.00pm,southliesmidwayinthesmalleranglebetweenthehourhandpointingatthesunand12.Ifitisbefore6.00amorafter6.00pm,southisfoundbydissectingthewiderangle.Itisthenaneasymattertolocate north.

Manypeopleweardigitalwatchesthesedays,butifyoucarefullydrawananalogfaceonapieceofpaper,andmarkoffthepositionofthehourhandfromyourdigitalwatch,thenthetechniqueisexactlythesameasdescribed above.

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StarsOnaclearnightwhenthestarscanbeseenclearly,itispossibletoidentifythePoleStar(Polaris)thatappearsalmostexactlyoverthenorth.

ThePoleStarsitsattheendofUrsaMinor(theLittleDipper)andmostpeoplelocateitbyfindingThePlough(UrsaMajor)andusingtheendtwostarsonthebladeofThePloughaspointers.ThecentreofCassiopeia,thebigW,alsopointstowardsPolaris.

Other natural indicatorsPlantsandtreesmayalsobeusedtogiveanindicationofdirection.Asweareinthenorthernhemisphere,ourflowersandplantswillhavemoregrowthinthedirectionofthesun–sowherethemajorityofthegrowthiswillbeasoutherndirection.Also,ifyouareawareofthearea’smostfrequentwinddirection,thiscanbeused,aswindsblowingfromasouth-eastdirectionwillcausethebranchestogrowinanorth-westdirection.

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2. Grid north

Thisisthedirectionofnorthshownonmaps,fromwhich a map bearing would be taken.

Thegridlinesonyourmaprelatetogridnorth,whichisfixedonthegeographicalnorthandsouthpoles.AlongwiththisonmostOrdnanceSurveymapsthegridnorthisidentifiedinthelegendonthemapitself.ItshouldalsobenotedthatallOrdnanceSurveymapsareprintedsothatnorthisatthetopofthemap!

3. Magnetic north

Thisisthenorththatyourcompassneedlepointsto,its position will change slowly over time.

Acompassismerelyamagnetisedneedlethatisbalancedsoitcanmovefreely.Themagnetalignsitselfwiththeearth’smagneticfield.Apointerattached to the magnet will point the way toward the north magnetic pole or magnetic north.

Thecompassshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithamaptoallowtheusertobeawareofwhichdirectionthey are travelling in. The compass has eight main points(shownopposite)whichcanbeusedtogiveandbeawareofwhatdirectionyouarewalking/travellingin.

Thefourcardinalpointscanberememberedusingsomesimplemnemonics,whichshouldbeaddedtothecompassclockwise,forexample,startingwithNandthengoingaroundthecircumferenceofthecircle,theseare:

• Never Eat Shredded Wheat®

• Naughty Elephants SquirtWater• Never Ever Swallow Wasps

The compass housing is marked around its edge with360degrees,usuallyattwo-degreeintervals.ThusEastis90 .̊ThelinefrompointAinthediagramaboverunsWNWor292.5 .̊WhatwouldbethebearingfrompointBifitwereNNE?

Activity ideas• WhileonacampencourageyourScoutstofindnorthusingthesunduringthedayandattempttofind

the north star on a clear night; most city skies will not allow this due to light pollution.• Alongwiththis,whileoncamp,allowtheScoutssometimetostudythenaturalenvironmenttoseeif

there are any indicators present as to which way is north.• TohelpScoutsunderstandthepointsofthecompass,markall16pointsonthefloorusingbeanbags

or cones. Identify one as North then challenge each Scout in turn to go to one of the other points by giving them either the compass position, for example NNE or SW, or the appropriate bearings, for example 180 or 135. Continually change the position of North so that Scouts have to rethink the location of all the other points.

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Map symbolsWhenamapisbeingcreateditneedstoshowalotofinformationoveralargeareaofland.Ifallthisinformationweretobewrittenonthemapitwouldbefartooclutteredandcomplicated,sothefollowingsymbols have been adopted:

Examplesofsymbolsona1:50000scalemap Additionalsymbolsona1:25000scalemap

Have your Scouts create their own map and include their own symbols for places of interest; for example, their own home, a fast food restaurant, a local cinema, your Scout meeting place or their school. To help yourScoutsunderstandandbecomemorefamiliarwithmapsymbols,usethemapsymbolflashcardsdownloadablefromwww.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/education/teachingresources/flashcards.html.Select a number of the more obvious ones and let each Scout take it in turns to mime the symbol, while the rest of the group try to guess what it is.

Contour linesContourlinesarelinesdrawnonamapconnectingpointsofequalelevation.Ifyouwalkalongacontourline you neither gain nor lose elevation. These lines allowustoappreciatethree-dimensionalfeaturesofthelandonatwo-dimensionalmap.Forexample,they allow the user to see the height on hills and so on.Thedifferencebetweenthelinesmaychangebutona1:25000scalemaptheyareusuallyshownforeachfiveortenmetreslevel,forexample,everytimeahillincreasesbyfivemetresacontourlinewillappeartorepresentthis.However,itisalsoimportant to note that the closer together the contourlinesare,thesteepertheland.Contourlinesthatarewideapartshowusthatthelandrises(orfalls)gradually.

Thediagramshowsthelinkbetweentheshapeofahill and the contours representing it on a map.

Help your Scouts to better understand contour lines by getting them to make a model hill from an image you have created – with the contour lines in place similar to the right section of the diagram above. If you draw the image out and use each contour line to represent a given measurement (such as two centimetres), your Scouts can make the physical representation of the hill using some thick card (or polystyrene tiles), cutting out the relevant land shapes and gluing them on top of each other.

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Topographical featuresOne of the most widely used of all maps is the topographic map. The feature that most distinguishes topographic maps from maps of other types is the use of contour lines (see page 9) to portray the shape and elevation of the land.

Topographicmapsrenderthethree-dimensionalupsanddownsoftheterrainonatwo-dimensionalsurface.Topographicmapsusuallyshowfeaturesthatoccurnaturallyorthosethatareman-made.Theycanshowmountains,valleys,plains,lakes,rivers,andareasofwoodlandandthelike.Theycanalsoidentifyman-madefeaturessuchasbuildingsandbridges.

Some common topographical features the Scouts should be aware of are:

• Ridge–arangeofhillsormountains,ortheupperpartofsucharange; anyextendedelevationbetweenvalleys.

• Col–ashortridgeconnectingtwohigherelevationsormountains; the pass over such a ridge.

• Uniform slope–canbeeithersteeporgentle,withcontour lines evenly spaced.

• Concave slope–thecontourlinesarecloselyspacedatthetop andwidelyspacedatthebottomofthefeature.

• Convex slope–thecontourlinesare widely spaced at the top and closely spacedatthebottomofthefeature.

• Pass or saddle–thisisalow pointbetweentwoareasof higher ground.

• Spur–asortcontinuous slopinglineofhigherground.

• Corrie–theseappearas armchair-shapedgouges outofmountainsides.

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Setting a mapYou would set a map to ensure that the map is facing north, so that you can align grid north and true north to assist your travelling direction. You will need to undertake the following steps:

• Placethecompassonthemap.• Rotatethedialonthecompasssothatthenorthmarker

isalignedwiththedirectionoftheverticalgridlinesonthemap,whichusuallyarecreatedsothatthetopofthemapisnorth.

• Lineuptheedgeofthecompasswithaverticalgridline.• Holdingthecompassfirmlyonthemap,rotatethemtogether

sothattheredarrowonthecompasspointeralignsitselfwiththearrowonthebottomofthecompass,thenlinethetwo arrows up.

• Whenthisisdonethemapwillnowbefacingnorth.

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Compass with a romer scaleForexample,SILVAEXPEDITION4

Scale rulerUsedtomeasuredistancesonthemap.

MagnifierFor helping to read detail or in cluttered areas.

Index lineThis is the point where the bearing is read.

Direction of travel arrowUsedtopointthecompassinthedirectionoftravel.

North/South orienting linesFortakingbearingsfromamap.

Parallel linesTheserunparallelwiththedirectionoftravelarrow.Theycan be used when taking map bearings.

Compass housingArotatingdialnormallymarkedindegrees.

Magnetic needleTheredhalfpointstomagneticnorth.

Romer scaleForhelpingtotakegridreferences,usingtheappropriatescale.

Stencil holeUsedtomarkexactpositionsonthemap.

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Map referencesBeforeyoubegintolookatmapreferencesitisimportanttobeawarethatallthenumbersgoingacrossthefaceofthemap,forexample,lefttorightarecalledeastings(thisisbecausetheyareheadingeastward),andsimilarlyallthenumbersgoingupthefaceofthemapfrombottomtotoparecallednorthings(againbecausetheyareheadinginanorthwarddirection).

Therearetwomaintypesofmapreference:

• 4-Figure–forexample,1945,thisindicatesasquareonanOrdnanceSurveymap.

• 6-Figure–forexample,192454,showsapointwithinasquare.

4-figure map references

Whengivinga4-figuremapreferenceyoushouldalwaysgivetheeastingsnumberfirstandthenorthingsnumbersecond,verymuchlikewhengivingthereadingofagraphinschool–youmustgoalongthecorridor/hallway(horizontal)andthenupthestairs(vertical).

Forexample,thenumber2intheexampleoppositeis19acrossand45upandthereforethefour-figuregridreferenceis1945.

The numbers on the map opposite would have the following4-Figuregridreferences:

1=18452=19453=18444=1944

6-figure map references

Startbyworkingoutthebasic4-figuremapreference.Thenimaginethesquareisdividedupintotenths.Usingtheexampleopposite,thegreyboxisinthesquare1844,although more accurately it is 5 tenths across and 8 tenthsupwithinthegridsquare1844andthereforehasthe6-figuremapreference187448.

Theshapesonthemapoppositewouldhavethefollowing6-figuregridreferences:

=187448

=185443

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Map distances and timingLength and timing

The average walker takes around sixty minutes for every three to four km, plus around 30 minutes for every 300 m climbed based on Naismith’s rule. This, however, may need to be adapted when considering the speed and ability of the individual parties who are walking. Both the weather and the surface underfoot can add or reduce the time taken to walk across a certain terrain. When creating your timing sheets make sure breaks are incorporated and also take into account other changes, such as light and time of day, as these can also affect speed of movement.

Using technology

Technology has an important part to play in Navigation. No longer do ships’ crews use the stars or walkers have to rely solely on a map and compass to navigate from one point to another.

Technology can be used to create maps and to assist in the navigation of them; one of the major technological developments has been GPS or Global Positioning System, which is a ‘constellation’ of 24 well-spaced satellites that orbit the Earth and make it possible for people with ground receivers to pinpoint their geographic location. The location accuracy is anywhere from 100 to 10 metres for most equipment.

GPS works in the following way:

• 21GPSsatellitesandthreesparesatellitesareinorbitat10600milesabovetheEarth.Thesatellites are spaced so that from any point on Earth, four satellites will be above the horizon.

• Eachsatellitebroadcastsitschangingpositionand time. (Once a day each satellite checks its own sense of time and position with a ground station and makes any minor correction.)

• OnthegroundanyGPSreceivercontainsacomputer that ‘triangulates’ its own position by getting bearings from three of the four satellites. The result is provided in the form of a geographic position – longitude and latitude – to, for most receivers, within 100 metres.

• Ifthereceiverisalsoequippedwithadisplayscreen that shows a map, the position can be shown on the map.

• Ifafourthsatellitecanbereceived,thereceiver/computer can calculate the altitude as well as the geographic position.

• Ifyouaremoving,yourreceivermayalsobeable to calculate your speed and direction of travel and give you estimated times of arrival to specified destinations.

This obviously means that if an individual uses a hand-held GPS system they can find their location with ease. However, problems may also occur such as battery or technology failure; also some weather conditions may have an effect on the GPS reading, so a map and compass should always be carried in conjunction with the GPS receiver.

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Understanding traffic signs and signalsBe familiar with traffic signs and signals as illustrated in The Highway Code.

Forthisrequirement,ScoutsneedtoshowanawarenessoftrafficsignalsandsignsthatareusedintheUnitedKingdom.ThissectionoffersabasicintroductiontoTheHighwayCode,signsandsignals.ItwouldbeworthwhileobtainingafewcopiesofTheHighwayCode,thenspendtimeintroducingtherelevantsectionstoyourScouts.

Followingthis,perhapsorganisea‘HighwayCode’bingoactivity?OrganiseyourScoutsintosmallgroupsandgivethemeachadifferentsheet,listingvarioustrafficsignsandsignals–thefirstgrouptogetallontheircardarethewinners–makeitfunandlively!

The Highway Code

TheHighwayCodedetailstherulesthatgovernthewayweuseourroads,whetherasapedestrian,cyclist,driver,motorcyclistorasahorserider!ManyoftherulesthataredetailedonTheHighwayCodearelegalrequirements–ifwedisobeythem,wearecommittingacriminaloffence.

IfweallhadabetterunderstandingoftherulesdetailedinTheHighwayCode,wewouldreducetheriskofbeing involved in an incident on our roads.

Traffic signs

TrafficsignsinTheHighwayCodearesplitintofivecategories;theyarelistedbelow–alongwithsomeexamplesofsigns.

Signs giving ordersNormallyappearinginredcircles,theyaremostlyprohibitive;additionalsignsbeneathnormallyqualifytheirmessage.

SchoolCrossingPatrol

MaximumSpeedLimit–40mph

NoMotorVehicles NoCycling

Warning signsNormallyappearinginredtriangles,theygenerallywarnofrisksorhazardsthatmaynototherwisebenoticed.

Crossroads BendtoRight Roundabout SlipperyRoad PedestrianCrossing

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Direction signsNormallyappearinginrectangles,onmotorways,theyareblue;onprimaryroutestheyaregreenandonnon-primaryroutestheyarewhite–allofferdirectionalinformationtomotorists.

Information signsNormallyrectangular,theytakeavarietyofformsofferinginformationtomotorists,pedestriansandcyclists.

Camerasusedtoenforceregulations

TouristInformationCentre

Hospital withA&Efacilities

Endofmotorway

Controlledparkingzone

Otherdirectionsignsincludethoseofferingtouristinformationwithabrownbackgroundanddiversionsignswith a yellow background.

Road works signsTakingavarietyofshapesandforms,theyoffertemporarynoticeslinkedtocurrentroadworks.

Roadworks Loosechippings Laneclosure Endofroadworks Temporaryhazard

Signals by authorised personsPoliceOfficersorTrafficControllers,normallywearinghighvisibilityclothing,generallyissuethesesignals.Themanual signals that can be issued are normally directional and motorists must respond to such signals.

Perhaps you could consider inviting a local Road Safety team to come in and run activities with your Scouts. Such teams often have very well established activities that would help to introduce road traffic signs and signals to your Scouts in a fun and memorable way. Details can be found on your local authority website or on www.larsoa.org.uk – contacts

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Navigating our roadsWith other Scouts, accompany a motorist on a journey of at least 30 kilometres, taking it in turns to act as navigator to a stated destination. The route should avoid motorways and major roads and if possible should be cross-country, using a variety of roads and lanes. There should be no prior route preparation.

Navigating our roads

The ability to navigate a route that has been planned inadvanceisanessentialskill–andperhapsonethatissometimesoverlooked.However,itveryoftenbecomes necessary to navigate an unplanned route –orplanan‘offthecuff’routeaswetravel.

ThissectionoftheawardofferssomeguidanceonhowtointroducebothmethodsofnavigationtoyourScouts.

Navigating a planned route

ForyourScoutstoplanaroutetobetakeninavehicle,youwillneedtoensurethattheyhavecurrentroadmapsandorlocalOrdnanceSurveymaps.Youcouldsetthestartpointanddestination,thenasktheScouts,ingroups,toplanaroute,butyouwillneedtoensurethattherearesufficientroutesto allow them to get there in a reasonable time and thattheirjourneywillcoveraround30kilometres.

Having planned a route manually using maps and decidingwhichroadstouse,whynotintroduceanelectronicrouteplannertoshowtheScoutshow technology can be put to good use in these situations?Thereareanumberavailableontheweb,forexamplewww.rac.co.uk/web/routeplanner/,www.getmethere.co.uk,andtopurchaseas‘offtheshelf’softwareproducts.YourScoutscouldcompare the route they have planned with the route theelectronicplannerhaddefined.Dotheroutesdiffer?Andifso,how?

Think about asking someone to come in and talk with yourScouts,perhapsfromalocalplanningofficeorifyourknowledgeofITislimited,makecontactwithsomeonewhohasagoodunderstandingofusingcomputersandaskthemtodemonstratetheuseofmoderntechnologiesinjourneyplanning.

Nowyouneedtomakethejourney;thiswillneedcarefulplanning.Whoisgoingtodrive,andinwhat

vehicle?Safetymustcomefirst–makesurethedriverhastheappropriatelicenceandisfullyinsured.

Ifindoubt,makecontactwiththeScoutInformationCentreon08453001818.Checkthatthevehicleisroadworthyandthatithasenoughseatbeltsfortheparticipantsoftheactivity.Wewouldsuggestthat the activity should involve a person driving the vehicle,anadultLeaderanduptothreeScoutswhocantakeitinturntoleadthenavigating,givingthemeachatleast10kmofthejourneytotesttheirroutenavigation.TheScoutshouldbeabletogivearunning commentary on what is coming ahead.

‘TheGreenManpubisroundthenextbend.TurnleftatthepubandfollowtheB234.Thereisawatertoweronyourleft.Ithinkyoucanseethemotorwayinthevalleyfromhere.In1kmtheroadgoesundergrid lines and turns east.’

Ifyoukeepswappingbetweennavigators,theywillallhavetokeeptrackofwheretheyare.Wheneverpossible,avoidthemajorroads.Mostpeoplecannavigatefor30kmonamotorway.TheroutesyourScoutsuseshouldinvolvedrivingacrosscountry,usingminorroads.Awordofwarning:SomeScoutsdogettravelsickwhentryingtoreadinthebackofavehicle,sodon’tmaketheactivitytoointense.Anddon’tdrivelikeyouarechasingfirstplaceontheRally!

Usethismodeltomakethejourneyswitheachofyourgroups–perhapsusingmorethanonecarandallundertakingtheactivityatthesametime.Ifyou’regoingtodothis,whynotarrangetheactivitysothatyouallreachthesamedestination?Youcouldthen undertake another activity to celebrate the achievementsofyourScouts–havingsuccessfullyplanned and navigated their route!

Navigating an unplanned route

The need to navigate an unplanned route is not uncommon–impromptujourneys,diversionsandroadclosuresallnecessitatetheneedforplanningan‘offthecuff’route,normallywhilsttravelling.

Asking your Scouts to navigate an unplanned route could be done towards the end of the activity to navigate the planned route – or perhaps the challenge could be to follow an unplanned route back to the start point? Consider the total length of the journey and the time you have available.

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The practical use of a compassWalk two compass routes of at least 2 kilometres each. One route should have start and end points defined on a map by an adult and the second by the Scout. During these exercises demonstrate an ability to:

a Convertgridbearingstomagneticbearings,andviceversa.b Usebackbearingstochecktheroute.c Estimate current position using a compass.d Walkonabearing,including‘deviatingfromcourse’,(thefourrightanglestechniquetocircumventanobstacle).

The practical use of a compass

Navigatingourroadscanbequitesimple:‘Takethethirdroadontheleft,thenthesecondroadontherightandattheroundabouttakethefirstexit’.Whenwe’refacedwithopencountryside,navigatingismadethatbitmoredifficult.Theproperuseofacompassisanimportantskillforanynavigator.Duringthisactivity,thereareanumberofkeyaspectsthatyouwillneedtocoverwithyourScouts.

Grid and magnetic bearings

Agridbearingcanbedescribedastheangle,inaclockwisedirection,betweengridnorthandthepathoftravelthathasbeenchosenbetweentwopoints.Thistypeofbearingisdirectionspecific–forexample,ifyouweretravellingfromnorthtosouth,your grid bearing would be 180o,andifyouweretravellingfromnorth-easttosouth-west,yourgridbearingwouldbe225o.

Itisimportanttorememberthatthereisadifferencebetween grid north that is drawn on a map and used intheexampleaboveandmagneticnorth,whichis the north that the needle on a compass would pointto.Thisdifferenceisdescribedas‘magneticvariation’.Amagneticbearingistheangle,againinaclockwisedirection,betweenmagneticnorthandthe chosen path between two points.

When you’re converting a grid bearing to a magnetic bearing,youmustaddthemagneticvariation,whichwillbeparticulartothatareaandisnormallyfoundinthe key on the map.

Step by step

• Setapathbetweentwopoints.• Placethecompassonthemap,withtheedgeof

the base plate in alignment with the chosen path –ensuringthatthedirectionoftravelarrowispointinginthedirectionofyourdestinationpoint.

• Rotatethecompasshousingsothattheorientinglines are now running in the same direction as the grid lines on the map.

• Readthegridbearingattheindexline–thisisthe angle between grid north and the direction in which you need to travel.

• Addthemagneticvariationtothereadingyouhavejusttaken.

• Takethecompassoffthemapandrotatetheentirecompassuntilthenorthsideofthecompass needle is pointing in the same direction as the orienting arrow.

• Travelinthedirectionthedirection-of-travelarrowis pointing.

You could introduce grid and magnetic bearings toyourScoutsbyroll-playingascenariowhereyouneedtonavigatefromonepointtoanother–perhapsinanemergencysituation,whenvisibilityhasbeensignificantlyreduced.

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Back bearings

Everybearinghasabackbearing–thisisusedtoprovideareturndirectiontoyourstartpoint.Abackbearing is obtained by deducting or adding 180ofromortoyouroriginalbearing.Forexample,ifyouweretravellingonabearingof260o,youwouldneedtotravelonabearingof80o to return to your start point.

Backbearingscanbeusedtoverifythatarouteiscorrect;ifitis,yourbackbearingwilltakeyoustraight back to your origin!

Finding a position

Youcanfindyourpositionoranyunknownpositiononamapusingcross-bearings;normallybyreferringto two or three visible landmarks. You would begin bytakingthebearingsoftheselandmarksandthencalculatetheirbackbearings,makingnecessaryadjustmentsforanymagneticvariation.Pathsthenneedtobedrawnonthemap,fromthelandmarksandtheywillintersectatacommonpoint.Normally,youwillfindthattherewillbeaslighterror,resultingintheintersectionformingasmalltriangle–yourpositionshouldbetakenfromthecentreofthistriangle.

Other useful techniques

ThereareanumberoftechniquesthatyourScoutswillneedtoshowanawarenessof;perhapsyouwouldbebestdoneintroducingthesetechniqueslocally,inaparkorwoodland?

Theskillofbeingabletostepoffataconsistentpaceisextremelyusefulwhennavigatingarouteoutdoors.Apaceisthedistancebetweeneverytwostepsapersontakes,butyouneedtobeabletoequatethisinrealterms.OnewayyourScoutscan practise pacing is to place a tape measure on thefloorandseejusthowfartheycanpace.Oncethey are happy that they can achieve a consistent distancewitheverypace,theycanapplythistofairlyaccurately pacing a longer distance.

Deviation from course

Oftenwhenfollowingabearing,buildings,treesor some other obstacles will block your chosen route and you will need to deviate to go around the problem. To do this you turn 90 degrees and walk untilyouareclearoftheobstruction.Again,turnthrough 90 degrees so that you are parallel to your originalcourse,andwalkpasttheobstruction.Forthethirdtime,turnthrough90degrees,walkingbacktowardsthelineoftheoriginalroute.Finallyturn90degreesagain,andyouwillbebackonyouroriginalcourse.Thismethodonlyworksifyouareaccurate with your bearings and count your steps.

Rememberthataccuracyisimportantinallcompasswork.Overajourneyof6kilometres,anerrorofjusttwodegreeswillmeanyoumissyourtargetby200metres.Thismaysoundmelodramatic,butimaginenavigatingacrossafog-bound,snow-coveredmoor,andwalkingrightpasttheonlyshelter,withoutevenknowing it.

RouteselectionisobviouslyanunderlyingskillthatyourScoutswillneedtobeproficientin–takingaccountoflocalfeaturesandinterpretingmapstoknowwhichisthemoststraightforwardroute.Manyoftheskillslearntinthefirstrequirementofthisawardareinvaluablehere.Whynotplananumberofroutes between the same two points in a local park orwoodland.AskyourScoutstodecidewhichroutewouldbebest,basedonwhatthemapsaysabouteach. You could ask them to then navigate their chosenroutetoseeifthey’reright.

Thetechniqueofaimingoffhasbeenaroundformanyyears.Ratherthantravellingalongastraightpathtowardsyourdestinationpoint,whichyoucouldmissoneitherside,youdeliberatelyaimoffandtraveltoonesideofyourdestination.Youthenknowwhichwayyouneedtoturntofindthepoint.Howfaryouaimoffisamatterofexperience–ifyoudon’taimoffenoughandyoudrift,youmayendupontheothersideofthedestinationpointandthenwhenyouturn,you’llbeturninginthewrongdirection!Also,ifyouaimtoofaroff,you’llhavetotravelagreaterdistance.Thetechniquedoestakepractise–butcanbeveryworthwhile.

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Links to other awards

ThereareanumberofotherawardsintheBalancedProgrammethatlinkverywellwiththeNavigatorBadge;they are:

• TheOrienteerActivityBadge• TheExpeditionChallenge• TheHikerActivityBadge

Pleasevisitwww.scouts.org.ukformorenewsandinformation.

Sources of information

www.ordnancesurvey.co.ukwww.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzonewww.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/education/teachingresources/fantasyexpedition.htmlwww.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/index.htmwww.explore.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk

References

Publications

Wiseman,J.1996.TheSASSurvivalHandbook.HarperCollins,London.Mears,R.2001.OutdoorSurvivalHandbook.EdburyPress,London.

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[email protected]

General enquiries: +44 (0)8456 05 05 05Dedicated Welsh Language HelpLine: 08456 05 05 04Textphone (deaf and hard of hearing users only please): +44 (0)23 8079 2906

Customer Service Centre, Ordnance Survey, Romsey Road, SOUTHAMPTON, SO16 4GU.

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Ordnance Survey, the OS Symbol and MapZone are registered trademarks of Ordnance Survey, the national mapping agency of Great Britain.Shredded Wheat is a registered trademark of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.

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A guide to the Navigator Badge - The Scout Association guide... · 2012-08-30 · 8 Scout Badge:...

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