Navigation Training 

This course immerses students in the skills of map reading, compass use, triangulation and route selection. International and US mapping types are covered. Techniques for handling poor visibility, finding specific locations (such as campsites, hunting/fishing spots or injured parties) and pre-trip considerations are also covered.

Course Topics:

• Topographic map interpretation and basic cartography, US and International (map types, contour lines, symbols, UTM’s, environmental clues, etc)

• Map interpretation activity

• Trip planning considerations and tools

• UTM coordinate system

• Water-way Navigation (lake, river, bay, etc)

• Declination, adjusting for

• Pacing, setting your own and field use

• Basic compass skills (measuring field bearings, following field bearings)

• Intermediate compass/map skills (plotting field bearings on a map, measuring map bearings)

• Advanced compass/map skills (single line and multiple line triangulation)

• Managing a Lost Person Incident, one’s self

• Travel Techniques (off-setting, handrails, catching features, and more)

• Practical field experience combining map interpretation, compass skills, trip planning and more.

Course length: 12 hours (8 hour format available)

Format:  Typically held over two days (one 3-hour afternoon or evening and one 9-hour field experience). Please contact us for other format options which fit your schedule.

Certification of Completion: Yes

Cost Includes: Topographic map, symbols guide, quick reference guide, course materials, text book, professional instruction, compass rental, and radio rental for practical field experience.

This two day course is designed for both beginners and intermediate navigators who want to use all the tools available. More than an extended version of our Map and Compass course with the additional topics of GPS use, managing a Lost Person Incident from a group leader perspective and provides additional skill practice.

Course Topics:

• Topographic map interpretation and basic cartography, US and International (map types, contour lines, symbols, UTM’s, environmental clues, etc)

• Map interpretation activity

• Trip planning considerations and tools

• Declination, adjusting for

• Pacing, setting your own and field use

• Understanding coordinate systems (UTM, Latitude and Longitude) and map datums.

• Basic compass skills (measuring field bearings, following field bearings)

• Intermediate compass/map skills (plotting field bearings on a map, measuring map bearings)

• Advanced compass/map skills (single line and multiple line triangulation)

• Night navigation techniques

• Water-way Navigation (lake, river, bay, etc)

• Electronic Navigation Aids (GPS, altimeter)

• Travel Techniques (off-setting, handrails, catching features, and more)

• Managing a Lost Person Incident, one’s self and group members

• Practical field experience combining map interpretation, compass skills, electronic navigation aids, trip planning and more.

• 20-hour course format incorporates additional classroom activities and practical field exercises; which includes managing a lost person incident.

Course Length: 16 or 20 hours

Format:  16-hour: typically held over two days (one 8-hour classroom/field session and one 8-hour practical field experience).

20-hour: held over two and a half days (one 3-hour evening classroom session, one 8.5-hour classroom/field session and one 8.5-hour practical field experience). Please contact us for other format options which fit your schedule.

Certification of Completion: Yes

Cost Includes: Topographic map, symbols guide, quick reference guide, course materials, text book, professional instruction, map tool for coordinate and GPS integration, compass rental, GPS rental, Altimeter rental, radio rental for practical field experience.

The Land Navigation Intensive is a fun and demanding exercise for students who already understand the basics of using navigation tools (topographic map interpretation, compass and/or GPS) but need a refresher experience that not only reinforces skills but also teaches new techniques. The intensive is a custom designed course which focuses on performing skills in a gradually increasing intensity, building upon one skill after another.

Intensive Topics:

• Review of map interpretation skills

• Review of compass and/or GPS use skills

• Customized practical field experience combining map interpretation, compass and/or GPS skills, trip planning and more.

Intensive Length: Minimum length is 4 hours.

Format:  typically held over one day or more. Please contact us for other format options which fit your schedule.

Certification of Completion: No

Cost Includes: Professionally designed navigation course, topographic map, symbols guide, professional instruction, map tool for coordinate and GPS integration, compass rental and/or GPS rental, and radio rental for practical field experience.

Sure everyone's got one but do they really know how to use it? This course is great for geocachers, backcountry users and professionals looking to unlock the full potential of a GPS covering basic to advanced topics. Course includes both hands-on computer application and field practice.

Course Topics: 

Certification of Completion: Yes

Course Length: 8 or 12* hours

Cost Includes: Professional instruction, topographic map, symbols guide, field manual, map tool for coordinate and GPS integration, compass rental, GPS rental, and radio rental for practical field experience.

Clinic Topics:

Through storytelling and interactive slide show children learn how to avoid becoming lost and what to do if they do become lost. Everyone receives a Lost but Found handout to take home and share. We will share with you the steps to take before you start an outdoor trip, during your trip, as well as what kids and adults should do if they become lost. This program is designed for children, grades K-6, but great for all ages and experience levels.  

Clinic Length: 30-45 minutes

Format:  typically held one evening or afternoon. Great for school programs, campgrounds, retail stores, bring your child to work days, and more.

Cost Includes: Lost but Found booklet and whistle for each participant and professional instruction.

Private instruction and custom courses are available for individuals, small groups and organizations.
Contact us for more information.