Chain Bridge District (National Capital Area Council) planned and executed an ambitious land navigation themed Fall 2009 Camporee featuring modern land navigation techniques including map grid coordinates, GPS (Global Positioning System) and geocaching. We had a lot of fun, but also learned what skills Boy Scouts and Venturers need to train on before relying on this useful land navigation technology in the backcountry. We learned that a single weekend is insufficient to train and orient Scouts, who need to use these land nav techniques routinely in their outdoor program to become good at them. We encountered the following basic training/familiarity issues:

1. Many did not understand UTM grid coordinates (how to plot grid coordinates on a topographic map and how to determine the grid coordinates of a feature on a topographic map).
2. Many were confused by the user interface of their GPS unit, and did not understand how to program waypoints or use their GPS “goto” function.
3. Some Scouts were so enamored with the “fun” of using a GPS that they ignored basic map and compass skills and did not understand that a GPS is most useful when used WITH a topographic map and a compass.
4. Even experienced backcountry outdoorsmen may lack familiarity with grid coordinates and GPS.

We created this website as resource for the benefit of Boy Scout Troops, Venturing Crews and District Activities folks who may wish to “go to school” on our experience. Our experience convinced us that these skills are important and that a GPS-themed Camporee or weekend campout can be highly successful, but sufficient training should occur in advance of or during the event. The BSA National Council has officially introduced the Geocaching Merit Badge for 2010 and has incorporated GPS into the 12th (2009) Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook. In the meantime, our experience demonstrates that many scouts and their unit leaders could benefit NOW from understanding UTM grid coordinates and GPS. We encourage units to begin training on these techniques (which are found on every USGS topographic map) and incorporating them into their outdoor program.

2010 Geocaching Merit Badge Requirements

Here is a Training Guide to assist Scout Troops and Venture Crews.

Here is a Camporee Guide and After Action Report that may assist District Personnel in planning a land navigation themed camporee.

Additional resources on the web include: www.maptools.com, www.gpsnuts.com, www.usgs.gov, www.geocaching.com, www.eduscapes.com/geocaching/kids.htm, www.factsfacts.com/geocacher.htm, www.geocacher-u.com, crunch.tec.army.mil/software/corpscon/corpscon.html www.dbartlett.com, www.gpsinformation.net, A Free Catalog of Tips for Geocaching, and Using Two-Way Radios and Other Technology for Geocaching.

We would love to hear from you about your own experiences; please drop us an email at chainbridgelost@verizon.net