Line Orienteering: Follow the Line, Mark What You Find

In the park, the map shows only a line to follow exactly; the controls aren't drawn, and when you find one you mark its exact spot on the map. It forces continuous map reading and rewards precision over speed.

How to play

1. At the park entrance: area boundaries, meeting point, whistle use and care for the environment (5 min).
2. Group practice leg: follow the line, find a control and circle it on the map (5 min).
3. Course in pairs with starts every minute (15 min).
4. Check with the answer overlay: how many controls were found and how accurately they were marked (5 min).
5. Walk back discussing the legs where people lost the line (5 min).

Rules

• Always in pairs; if you're lost, blow three blasts and stay put.
• Same return time for everyone, even with controls missing.
• Stay off planted beds and don't break branches.
• Don't touch the markers: just write the code and mark the spot.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: a line on paved paths only.
• Low vision: an enlarged map and a partner who describes the surroundings.
• Students with anxiety: go with the teacher or in a group of three instead of a pair.

Learning goals

• Read the map continuously.
• Match map and terrain precisely.
• Move through natural spaces while caring for them.

Equipment for a class of 25

• park maps: 30
• orienteering markers: 10
• pencils: 30
• answer overlay: 1
• whistles: 15

Teacher tip

You'll need a permission slip and, ideally, a second adult. If there's no park map, a simplified aerial image with the paths traced in works.

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