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Navigation

To improve your navigation skills, and have fun hiking and exploring local landscapes, try orienteering!  Here in the DC area there is a great club that has regular family  and (often) dog-friendly events, well worth your time.  Learn more about the Quantico Orienteering Club at their website qocweb.org.

Directions for Natural Leaders Navigators:

Watch the videos below.  The bottom video is intended for students navigating at our Lorton program, or that are going to try orienteering.  

These videos can provide you a good foundation, but are not enough to make you a confident navigator.  In class you encouraged to ask a more experienced student to coach you in using the map and compass.  You are not expected to be an expert -- the goal is for you to get some practice, and improve your navigation skills over time.

You will work with the coordinator and/or instructor about where to lead the group.   Don't be discouraged if you have a hard time, and don't be shy to ask questions.  Eventually it will all click, and feel natural!

Reading a compass.  Red needle points north!


Contour lines, counter intervals & slopes


Orienting the map:


Thumbing the map:


Orienting off the landscape (sequel to video above):

Reading an orienteering map:

Natural Leaders students: watch this if you are navigating at our Lorton program.
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