Planning a Compass Course

Planning a compass course does not need to be very time consuming or complicated!  The course can be located anywhere: the park, beach, or backyard. It can be as simple or complex as you want, but should be scaled in difficulty to the ages of the players.

1. Standing at the starting point, look around in the distance for a hiding place for the first little treasure and next clue: behind a tree, hanging from a branch, behind the garage … Hold the compass and check to see that it’s level enough for the needle or card to spin freely. Wait till it points steadily in one direction, and turn the compass so “N” lines up with the pointer.

   Now hold the compass in front of your face, and turn it until the needle points to North. Look to the hiding spot, then look down to the compass and read the “degrees” which point to the spot.

   (This method is simple, but not “pinpoint” accurate. Keep the next clue reasonably easy to locate).

2. Walk to the first hiding spot and count your steps along the way. Be sure to take the same size steps as the players would. Write down the number of steps and the course (in degrees) on a small piece of paper. This is the clue you’ll give the players at the start.

   Repeat the process for the next clue: look for a hiding spot, take a compass bearing, count the steps, and write it down. Once you’ve finished plotting this second clue, you have to backtrack to the first clue location and leave the note with compass bearing and # of steps to the spot you just plotted. Don’t forget to leave a few treats to keep the players enticed.

3. Create as many waypoints as you like, but make enough so that each player gets a turn. The final “treasure” can be buried, hidden, or covered, but where all can access it together. (Not up a tree!) It can even lead right into your house where the birthday cake is waiting as the treasure.

Remember to KISS--Keep It Simple Stupid!  The point is to HAVE FUN and GOOD LUCK!