Quick Start
Orienteering is the sport of finding your way to a series of checkpoints, using a map. (Curious what orienteering is all about and why it is so good for kids? See About Orienteering.) It turns any schoolyard, gym, park, or camp into a navigation adventure.
New to teaching it? Pick one of these activities and try it today.
Most Popular
Animal-O
Find animal checkpoints in order using a clue sheet. The go-to first activity for any group.
Geometric-O
Use a simple map to find checkpoints arranged in a pattern. First introduction to map reading.
Symbol-O
Learn orienteering map symbols by matching them to real features in the space.
Teach Key Ideas
These activities teach the key ideas of orienteering, and none of them needs a real map.
Boundary Run
Run the perimeter of the play area. Takes 5 minutes to set up and teaches the first rule of orienteering.
Gathering
Practice returning to the teacher on a signal. Essential safety skill, zero setup.
Draw the Space
Students draw their own map of the space. Paper and pencils are all you need.
Once You Have a Map
You can make your own map or get one made; see Maps for both routes. With a map of your space, these activities become real orienteering.
Map Walk
Walk a route together, matching map symbols to real features. The first step onto a real map.
Score-O
Visit as many checkpoints as you can in any order. Known at camps as Map Treasure Hunt.
Point-to-Point
Navigate a course visiting checkpoints in order. This is the real thing.
Ready for More?
- Ask the lesson plan advisor to tailor a plan to your space, schedule, and students
- Browse all Activities
- See the full Grade 3-5 Lesson Plans for a structured progression
- Check out Equipment & Materials for kits and setup guides