Navigation Badge

This badge is part of the activity area Challenging Scouting Skills.

In this activity area you do activities around techniques such as axe work, fire lighting, map and compass, route techniques, pioneering, sailing, and camping. With this badge you learn to use map and compass and various route techniques to navigate well.

Badge

 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Tasks/Requirements

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3
  1. Maps

There are many different maps for determining your position.

  1. Name the characteristics of and differences between a road map, topographic map, waterway chart, and aeronautical chart.
  2. Explain what symbols in the legend, the scale, color shading for areas, and Dutch National Triangulation Coordinates (RD) on a map mean.

You can calculate your position on a map in different ways.

  1. Demonstrate that, using coordinates and a protractor/romer, you can accurately mark locations on a map.
  2. Determine your position during a route using map features, a GPS, and a protractor/romer.
  3. Explain the difference between RD, WGS84, and UTM, and show how to use these systems.

By using maps well, you can plot a route accurately.

  1. Plot a trip of at least 25 km (250 km for air scouts) using a map. Take into account contour lines (land scouts), depth lines and clearance heights (water scouts), CTR zones, obstacle heights, and ground level (air scouts). Use a suitable topographic map (1:25,000), waterway chart, or aeronautical chart on which these aspects appear.
  2. List topographic features, bridges, or IATA codes at waypoints.
  3. Calculate segment times based on walking pace, speed on the water, or wind speed.
  1. Magnetic Compass and GPS

There are different tools and techniques you can navigate with, such as a compass and GPS.

  1. Name the parts of a compass: baseplate/housing, travel arrow, needle, degree ring, help lines, and the eight cardinal/intercardinal directions.
  2. Make a simple compass with a cork and needle and explain how it works.
  3. Navigate with a GPS to a coordinate via a direct route and a route along paths.
  4. Record a GPS track while navigating and show it (a GPS track is a digital representation of a route recorded with a GPS).

There are different ways to determine direction with a compass or GPS--and you can also do this without these tools.

  1. Name sixteen wind directions with a compass.
  2. Use a compass to shoot bearings, determine the direction to a visible object, determine direction on a map, determine the direction of an object on a map relative to another point, and apply the four compass holds.
  3. Explain when a compass does not give a reliable reading. For water scouts: explain what a gyroscopic and magnetic compass are.
  4. Find a simple geocache and a multicache with at least five stages. For water scouts: find a boating geocache and locate three buoys on the chart, travel to the coordinates via GPS, and determine the GPS deviation.
  5. Show that you can find north using a watch face, nature indicators (such as moss on trees), and with a homemade sundial.

As an experienced navigator you know the finer points of compass and GPS use.

  1. Name all 32 wind directions with a compass.
  2. Explain declination, inclination, and deviation, and how to account for them.
  3. Show that you can find north using the stars, the position of the sun, a moon compass, and with a shadow stick. Also explain the limitations of these methods.
  4. Explain the theory behind GPS positioning.
  5. Find at least five geocaches with a GPS, with at least three multicaches of ten or more waypoints.
  6. Create two geocaches yourself, at least one of which is a multicache. Account for GPS errors when choosing the final location. For water scouts: create a boating geocache on or along the water and use an electronic waterway chart to travel a route of at least three coordinates.
  1. Understanding Route Techniques

Simple route techniques can be used for treasure/scavenger hunts.

  1. Show that you know the following route techniques:
  • ribbon route
  • photo route
  • junction route
  • face-to-junction route
  • text route
  • eyes route
  • trail signs route (twigs, stones, grass, etc.)

For water scouts:

  • ribbon route
  • photo route
  • balloons/buoys route
  • marked buoys route

Tip: You can find a lot of information on the internet about scavenger hunts, such as Scoutpedia

A true scout knows multiple route techniques, also for more difficult hunts.

  1. Show that you know the following route techniques:
  • strip map / fishbone
  • face-to-strip map
  • coordinates route
  • cross bearing
  • compass route (degrees route)
  • overlay (oleate)
  • blind spot
  • dots and dots-and-arrows route

For water scouts:

  • Instead of a strip map, use a land-style map for water (chart without small waterways)

Tip: You can find a lot of information on the internet about scavenger hunts, such as Scoutpedia

As a specialist in route techniques you can demonstrate and apply them in practice.

  1. Show that you know the following route techniques:
  • blind line
  • vector route
  • helicopter route
  1. Participate in a free roving hike of at least fifteen kilometers on land or water (for example during a HIT). Determine the best route in advance based on weather and speed and use at least five different route techniques (three for water scouts).
  2. Lay out or follow a wildlife trail.

Tip: You can find a lot of information on the internet about scavenger hunts, such as Scoutpedia
  1. Estimating and Sketching

When navigating it is important that you can estimate and depict your surroundings.

  1. Estimate the height of an object using the pencil technique.
  2. Make a situation sketch.

Tip: For estimating heights using the pencil technique and others, see our Belgian Scouting friends at FOS-Open Scouting

Estimating distances and describing routes help you navigate and find routes again.

  1. Estimate the distance to an object using the triangle method.
  2. Make a route sketch of a route with at least ten junctions.

Tip: See Scoutpedia for information about the triangle method.

You can assess and depict your environment well, also on and around the water, in different ways.

  1. Measure or calculate the flow rate of a stream or river. Water scouts: calculate the speed of your scout dinghy.
  2. Explain the difference between a recognographic sketch, panorama sketch, and horizon sketch and make an example of one of these three.

Tip: See information about sketching in the national Winterhike group
  1. Using Route Techniques

Show that you can apply what you have learned.

  1. Walk or travel a route of at least five kilometers using at least two route techniques.
  2. Lay out a scavenger hunt or boating route for your section using at least two route techniques from Level 1, requirement 3. Account for traffic and nature rules.

Scouts treat nature with respect. Do not damage trees, plants, or bank vegetation during walking or boating and when placing signs. Follow local rules for entering nature areas. Use only dead material when using natural trail signs, consider wildlife (avoid noise), clean up any trail signs afterwards, and leave no trash.

You can find your way and give direction during longer trips.

  1. Walk a hike of at least fifteen kilometers using multiple route techniques. Take the lead of the group and give direction. For water scouts: travel a route of at least eight kilometers using at least two boating techniques and multiple route techniques. Take the lead of the group and give direction.
  2. Lay out a hike of at least ten kilometers through a nature area using at least three route techniques from Level 2, requirement 3. If you collaborate with others, lay out a trip of at least fifteen kilometers using all route techniques from Level 2, requirement 3. For water scouts: lay out a boating trip of at least five kilometers through a nature area using at least three route techniques from Level 2, requirement 3. If you collaborate with others, lay out a trip of at least eight kilometers using all route techniques from Level 2, requirement 3.

Scouts treat nature with respect. Do not damage trees, plants, or bank vegetation during walking or boating and when placing signs. Follow local rules for entering nature areas. Use only dead material when using natural trail signs, consider wildlife (avoid noise), clean up any trail signs afterwards, and leave no trash.

An experienced navigator is also an experienced hiker.

  1. Take on the role of navigator during a multi-day hike or boating trip using various map and compass techniques.
  2. Provide two alternative route techniques that could also have worked for this hike or boating trip.
  3. Lay out a hike of at least fifteen kilometers or a boating trip of at least ten kilometers in a nature area using at least three route techniques from Level 2, requirement 3, and at least two route techniques from Level 3, requirement 3. Explain these route techniques if participants do not yet know them.

Scouts treat nature with respect. Do not damage trees, plants, or bank vegetation during walking or boating and when placing signs. Follow local rules for entering nature areas. Use only dead material when using natural trail signs, consider wildlife (avoid noise), clean up any trail signs afterwards, and leave no trash.