Orienteering Merit Badge

This workshop will cover 6 of the 10 requirements needed to complete the Orienteering Merit Badge.

The intention is to introduce Scouts to the sport of Orienteering. It is not practical to complete all the

requirements during this one meeting. Requirements 7, 8, 9, and 10 will have to be completed after the

workshop. We will be outside so bring the following for this merit badge workshop: compass, blue card,

rain gear, hat, sunscreen, and personal first aid kit.

Before Merit Badge Fair day you will need to:

Read the Merit Badge book on Orienteering focusing on the following sections:

What is Orienteering?

Using a Compass

Using a Topographical Map

Orienteering First Aid

Be prepared to discuss the following requirements during the workshop:

o Requirement 1. First Aid/poisonous plants/poisonous animals

o Requirement 2. Describe what orienteering is

o Requirement 3a. Explain how a compass works

Requirement 4a-f. Using a topographical map

Become familiar with your compass and remember to bring it to the workshop.

During the Merit Badge Workshop we will work on the following topics and requirements:

Using a Map and Compass Together: Requirement 3b. Show how to take a compass bearing

Weather permitting - Judging Distance on the Ground: Requirement 5) Setup 100 meter pace

course and determine walking and running pace for 100 meters. – bring rain gear if rain is

forecast

Competitive Orienteering and Orienteering Techniques: Requirement 6 a-c) Orienteering

control symbols, control description sheet, and orienteering terms

Weather permitting - participate in one of the three required orienteering events for

Requirement 7a.

Requirements to complete AFTER the workshop to earn the Orienteering merit badge:

Requirement 7a – b. Take part in three orienteering events and write a report on each

o Requirement 8a. Set up a cross-country course at least 2000 meters

OR

o Requirement 8b. Set up a score orienteering course with at least 12 control points and a

time limit of at least 60 minutes

Requirement 9. Act as an official during an orienteering event

Requirement 10. Teach orienteering techniques to your patrol, troop, or crew.

Remember to bring a blue card so I can initial the requirements you complete during this workshop. I’ll be happy to continue counseling you after the workshop. Contact me at darryl.degruy@yahoo.com with questions, or for final counseling / signature of your blue card. Remember to copy a parent/guardian when you email me.