Gav Grayston We recently gave Orienteering a try at a National Trust location. It’s a great way to teach the kids map reading and something you can easily do in an afternoon.
Why you might want to try this with your kids
Like many other parents, we have found that Geocaching is a great way to motivate your kids when doing a hike. (Click here if you want to read an introduction to Geocaching).
The downside to Geocaching is that you are dependent on a device, which doesn’t help with teaching your kids how to map read.
A possible solution to this is Orienteering.
a great way for kids to learn some map reading skills
If your kids are familiar with Geocaching they’ll soon see similarities with having to find things, but that’s where the similarity ends.
Time to brush up on your map reading skills.
What is Orienteering
Orienteering relies on your navigation skills to travel between different points on a map, called control points.
There are many organised orienteering events with local clubs up and down the country, and even across the globe.
have a go at orienteering
You can also find some Permanent Orienteering Courses around the country, such as some National Trust locations (see below), where you can have a go at orienteering without waiting for an organised event.
Below is a video from British Orienteering that shows you a bit of what it’s about as a sport.
Types of Orienteering
Orienteering is traditionally on foot. There are many competitions where runners race between the control points.
There are lots of other forms of orienteering too, such as car orienteering, ski orienteering, horse orienteering…and just about any mode of transport where you can navigate between different points.
Fortunately, there’s a simple way to try it out without having to run (unless you want to of course!).
How to Play Orienteering
A course is created with a number of control points. Each control has a number or letter.
You are given a control description sheet that tells you which controls you must visit and in which order, and may contain information about where to find the control.
A Traditional Orienteering Control Punch
As you navigate around the course you record your visit to each control.
In an organised event, you may have to use a special ‘punch’ at each control, marking your control sheet as you go around. Though many events now use electronic devices to record your visit at each control point.
For a permanent orienteering course, such as the ones provided free at some National Trust locations, you record the letters you find at each of the control points.
Don’t worry. It’s a lot easier than it sounds!
Orienteering Maps
Official orienteering maps are slightly different to Ordinance Survey Maps but very similar.
Below is an example of an Orienteering Map available from the National Trust.
An example Orienteering Map
Giving it a go
We gave orienteering a try, not running about, but instead having a good walk across the hills on a Sunday afternoon.
Some National Trust properties have Permanent Orienteering Courses and you can download maps from their website (see below for links), or pick up an orienteering map at the visitor reception.
This is an easy activity to try in an afternoon.
Remember print out a map for each of your kids (something we forgot to do – doh!).
On the course we tried, the control points were found on posts. Each control point is numbered and has a letter printed on it. You write the letter next to the number on the map or control sheet.
Easy. Though we did have to retrace our footsteps a couple of times to find the post 😉
Where to go Orienteering with the National Trust
Here are the current locations that have orienteering courses (thanks to the National Trust for supplying us with this list).
Some of the maps you can print out from their website, others are available when you arrive at the location, and others may only be available when they run organised events.
| County | Location | Orienteering Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | Saltram | Download here |
| Killerton | Download from Devon Orienteering | |
| Knightshales | Download from Devon Orienteering | |
| North Somerset | Tyntesfield | Leigh Woods |
| Middlesex | Osterley Park | |
| Cambridgeshire | Wimpole Estate | |
| Herefordshire | Brockhampton Estate | Three routes – 1.3km, 3.5km and 4.4km |
| Shropshire | Attingham Park | Download Orienteering Map |
| Carding Mill Valley | ||
| Liverpool | Speke Hall | |
| Formby | Available to purchase at reception | |
| West Yorkshire | Nostell Priory | Pick up a map from reception |
| Tyne & Wear | Gibside | Ask for a map at reception |
| West Midlands | Wightwick Manor | Pick up a map from reception |
Save Money on National Trust Parking and Entrance
If you don’t already have National Trust Family Membership, it’s something we recommend you look at.
We are members and it gets us into places up and down the country, as well as free parking at NT landscapes. If you plan on visiting these places throughout the year the Family Membership is a great way to save money on entrance prices.
Other useful links
Want to know more? Here sre some useful links, including some places where you can find other Orienteering maps and courses to try.
Go on, give it a go.
Do you want to teach your family how to use a map and the basics of using a compass?
Well, we’ve got a Family Navigation course that has a number of weekly activities to help learn basic navigation.
Get Map Symbol Bingo
This is a great way to teach your kids map symbols.
Enter your name and address and we will send it to you.
Gav Grayston Contributor
Father to 3 kids, who loves getting out and about (hiking, running, camping, cycling, canoeing...) Co-founded Get Out With The Kids to help other parents enjoy the outdoors with their family.
