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Competitive Orienteering | ![]() |
The Wolf Ridge Competitive Orienteering class provides many extension possiblilites for the classroom. Tie-ins can be made to a variety of topics including mapping, map reading, landforms, earth science, and more. Visit this page periodically as we will add new activities and links suggested by Wolf Ridge visiting school teachers, and eventually our own interactive on-line activities.
1. Demonstrate taking a bearing, sighting an object using shift eye reading so that you can walk a square of 20 steps per side and come within 1 foot of the starting point.
Graduation Standard: 4-5th Decision Making: Physical Education and Fitness (4)
2. Using a highway map or a map of your city or park, demonstrate how to use the legend, what the various symbols mean and which side of the map represents north. Create a map complete with legend of a local park or your route to school.
Graduation Standard: 4-5th People and Cultures: Geography and Citizenship (3a,b)
3. Make a scale model of a topographic map using corrugated cardboard.
Graduation Standard: 4-5th People and Cultures: Geography and Citizenship (3a,b)
1. Create a competitive orienteering course in your local park or woods. Teach another class or group how to use your course.
Graduation Standard: 6-8th Mathematics: Space, Shape, Measurement (5)
2. Using a map and compass, create a hiking trail to three points of interest. Describe the route using compass bearings, distances, and general descriptions of the topography so that a visitor could follow your information to the three points.
Graduation Standard: 6-8th Mathematics: Space, Shape, Measurement (5)
3. Interview a person who uses a map and compass as an integral part of their job. Examples might be pilots, surveyors, highway engineers, park rangers, etc. Report upon how they use these tools in their work and everyday lives.
Graduation Standards: H.S. Decision Making: Career Investigation (C), 4-5th Inquiry: Media, Observation and Investigation (C)
Under construction.
Class Description:
Students who are familiar with a map and compass will enjoy the additional challenge provided in the Competitive Orienteering outdoor recreation class. Compass skills will be reviewed/learned. Topographical map reading will be introduced. Students will be shown how to use the map and compass together. The class will then travel to the start of a competitive orienteering course. After safety instructions are given, students will apply their newly acquired skills to locate off-trail control points.
Total time: 3 hours (two hours outdoors)
Audience: 6-20 students, 4th grade through adult
Activity level: strenuous
Travel: 1 1/4 mile
Total uphill travel: 320 feet
Outcomes
Upon completion of the Competitive Orienteering class students will be able to:
- Orient a topographical map using a compass or land formations.
- Take a bearing from a map.
- Interpret the terrain on a topographical map between two points and determine the best path of travel.
- Travel to a control point and return to the starting point at the end of class.
- Relate a natural history highlight experienced while off-trail.
Minnesota Graduation Standards
The Competitive Orienteering class will provide students with guided practice, in an authentic setting, to support the following Graduations Standards. We have chosen one to three major focus standards per grade level. Due to the holistic nature of environmental education, several other standards, not listed here, are addressed as well.
Task Management Skills: Teamwork, Perseverance, Resource Management, Time Management
6-8th Mathematics: Space, Shape, Measurement (5)
6-8th Decision making: Physical Education and Fitness (1,6,7)
4-5th Decision making: Physical Education and Fitness (1,4,5)
4-5th Mathematics: Space, Shape, Measurement (1,2,5,6,8)
Wolf Ridge Curriculum Concepts