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Compass is offline while we prepare our new tools

Compass is offline while we prepare our new tools

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Time travelling teams

Learn about navigation through the ages and in modern times.

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You’ll need

  • Scrap paper
  • Pens or pencils
  • GPS device, optional
  • Example of digital mapping
  • OS map
  • Device with access to internet, optional
  • See instructions for materials needed to make navigational tools

Before you begin

  • Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Additional help to carry out your risk assessment, including examples can be found here.  Don’t forget to make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
  • Create or print instructions for making navigational tools. Find out about peer reviewed resources in our information about making historic navigation tools, which you can find on this page. Or you could try the cross staff, back staff, or (if you’re ready for a challenge) the mariner’s astrolabe. Familiarise yourself with what these historic navigational tools are, and how to use them.
  • Create flashcards using the information about famous Scout locations on this page. 
  • Source GPS device(s) that can show digital maps. Everyone should be reminded to handle devices with care. Label any personal equipment and store it safely when not in use.
  • Brownsea Island – the location of Lord Baden Powell’s first experimental camp. Dorset, UK.
  • Gambir – headquarters of the Indonesian Scout Movement, the largest in the world with over 21 million members (as of 2011). Jakarta, Indonesia.
  • Hyndland – home to 1st Glasgow Scout Group, who hold the earliest registration certificate of any group (26 January 1908). Glasgow, Scotland.
  • Kaiapoi – where the first registered New Zealand Scout patrol was formed in 1908. Canterbury, New Zealand.
  • Kandersteg International Scout Centre – campsite with space for 1,200 people, owned by the World Organisation of the Scout Movement. Kandersteg, Switzerland
  • Merrickville – home to North America’s oldest Scout Group, 1st Merrickville. Ontario, Canada.
  • Paxtu Cottage – the last residence of Lord Baden Powell and now a museum about his life. Nyeri, Kenya.
  • Skørping – location of the first ever Scouts jamboree of the World Federation of Independent Scouts, held in 2002. North Jutland, Denmark.
  • The World Scout Bureau, operational headquarters for the World Organisation of the Scout Movement. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Space Awareness is a website dedicated to inspiring a new generation of space explorers. The site is a fantastic free educational resource for those wishing to learn more about all sorts of navigation across the ages including over land and sea. 
  • If you are looking to make some DIY navigational tools as part of this activity then this page is a great place to start. Scroll through the activities and you'll find instructions for building your own astrolabe, how to build and use a kamal, constructing a viking sun compass and more. 
  • Pick your tools based on the equipment you have available and the level of challenge you want to provide. If possible, picking a variety of tools could be a great way for the groups to broaden their knowledge. 

Making tools

  1. Everyone should split into small groups.
  2. Each group should follow the instructions to make at least one tool.
  3. Everyone should gather back into one large group. Each group should take it in turns to demonstrate how to hold and use their tool, talk about how their tool works, and explain what it helps to show or calculate. Encourage everyone to ask questions.

Find famous Scouts spots

  1. Everyone should split into small groups.
  2. Every group should pick a famous Scouts location.
  3. Using a paper or digital map, every group should work out where in the world their famous Scouts location is.
  4. Every group should discuss how their historic navigation tool could be used to help them navigate to their famous Scouts location. How long might it take? How would you know where you were along the way?
  5. How would navigating with the historic tool compare to today’s modern tools? Each group should decide the best way to navigate the same journey using modern equipment. How would the experience be different?
  6. Show everyone a digital map on a handheld GPS device. Is a GPS a modern equivalent of any of the historic tools?
  7. Everyone should come back together to share the main points of their discussion.

Reflection

This activity was about developing skills. Trying out the historic navigational tools provided a solid foundation for understanding a navigator’s main tasks and concerns: knowing which tools to use, taking measurements, and communicating them clearly. Why does understanding the basic maths behind navigation help people to better understand modern technology (and recognise when it’s failing)?

This activity was also about communication. How easy or difficult was it to describe what the historic navigational tools did? Which was the easiest, and which was the most complicated? How easy or difficult is it to describe how modern navigation aids work? What makes them more or less difficult to understand than the historic tools?

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Online safety

Supervise young people when they’re online and give them advice about staying safe. Take a look at our online safety or bullying guidance. The NSPCC offers more advice and guidance, too. If you want to know more about specific social networks and games, Childnet has information and safety tips for apps. You can also report anything that’s worried you online to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command. As always, if you’ve got concerns about a young person’s welfare, including their online experiences, follow the Yellow Card to make a report.

Scissors

Supervise young people appropriately when they’re using scissors. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.

Sharp objects

Teach young people how to use sharp objects safely. Supervise them appropriately throughout. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.

Rubbish and recycling

All items should be clean and suitable for this activity.

Make the task more difficult by making more complicated tools.

Think about different ways to approach learning and sharing in this activity. People don’t have to talk in front of everyone if they don’t feel comfortable: they may prefer to draw diagrams, demonstrate using an object, or write instructions.

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Air or Sea Navigation Activity Badge

Young people shape this activity as they share their learning and teach their peers.