An orienteering course is available at Wynyard Woodland Park and is a popular activity for schools. In fact two courses are available, one at the Wynyard Woodland Park itself and one at nearby Stillington Forest Park. Each of the circles on the map indicates the position of a 3” square marker. The marker is red with a diagonal white stripe. On the marker is the identification number and a check letter (see below). Different courses can be used depending on the age of the school group taking part, and on the time available.
The educational aim of the orienteering courses is to introduce children to the use of maps, keys and compasses. Four variations on the theme of orienteering are explained below:
Orienteering Course Instructions
The selected course is given to the group in the form of a grid.
The group must first select the route they wish to follow and then check the list of control descriptions on the back of the map which gives the precise location of the marker.
The group must orientate the map so that it is aligned with the ground, a compass may be used, or alternatively use the features on the ground to navigate by.
The group can then make their way to their first checkpoint. Once there they must look for the letter on the 3” marker and note this down on the check card.
Once noted, the group can orientate the map and head for the next one.
Line Exercise Instructions - This is a follow-my-leader activity for small groups of 3-4 children.
The leader follows a line marked on the map from the start to a pre-determined handover point. The first leader goes to the back of the line after handing over a correctly orientated map to the new leader.
The procedure is repeated with the two groups completing the first line and swapping for a second etc.
Relay Race Instructions
Pupils are put into groups of 3-4 children. One pupil from each group is given a marker number (each group is given a different number), which they must go to find.
When they find the marker they should mentally note the letter on the marker post and return to the start point. If given the correct letter the next pupil in the group is given a new marker number to find.
The winner of the relay race is the first group to return back to the start point with the correct information.
Cross-country Instructions
Pupils are given 6-8 markers in a specified order.
They must orientate their map and find the correct marker posts in this order.
Score Instructions
A time limit is set and pupils must visit as many markers as they can within this time limit. (They must make a note of the letter at each marker post visited to prove they have been there).
Each marker is given a score of 10 points. The pupils add up the score they have collected.
A penalty can be given for being over the time limit.
A score of 5, 10 or 15 points can be allocated to teams depending on difficulty and distance from the start.
