Session 1 · THRIVE: Relationships
Roles in a group
- 10 minWhat does a good outdoor leader do? Brainstorm, then compare with the roles used on real trips: leader, navigator, timekeeper, weather watcher, first aider, tail-ender (who walks at the back so no one is left behind).
- 25 minTeam challenge (Activity: 'Lead the way'): groups rotate roles through three short challenges, like a route with a blindfolded 'injured' teammate guided by voice, or a timed rope-free river-crossing puzzle on the field.
- 10 minDebrief: when did the group listen best? Who noticed someone who was struggling? How did you make decisions: one person, a vote or agreement?
- 5 minAgree group rules for the trip, such as 'we move at the pace of the slowest person' and 'anyone can call a stop'.
Session 2 · THRIVE: Improve
Map and compass
- 10 minMap basics: set (orient) the map so it matches the land, find north, read the legend and the scale.
- 15 minCompass parts: baseplate, direction-of-travel arrow, needle, housing. Practise taking a bearing to a tree and walking to it.
- 20 minCompass course (Activity: 'Map and compass course'): in pairs, follow bearings and paces around the school grounds to find hidden controls.
- 5 minRecord your pace count: how many double steps do you take in 100 m?
Getting started
Start with a map of the classroom, then the school, before moving to a topographic map.
Stretch
Find out why a compass needle does not point exactly to true north in New Zealand (magnetic declination), and how trampers allow for it.
Checkpoint
You can orient a map, take a simple bearing, and name the jobs in a trip group and why each matters.
Activities for this week
- Lead the way: What does good leadership look like when a group faces a challenge?
- Map and compass course: Can you follow a map and bearings to find your way?
Useful this week
- Trip planning ↗ How to choose a trip that fits your group's skills and plan it step by step.
- Plan My Walk ↗ A free planning tool with track information, weather and gear lists.
- NZ Topo Map ↗ Free topographic maps of anywhere in New Zealand for route planning.
- Orienteering New Zealand ↗ Find a club and permanent orienteering courses near you.
- First aid guides ↗ Simple step-by-step guides for sprains, bleeding and calling an ambulance.