Rotating Leader: Pass the Map
Groups of four run a park course with a single map that changes hands at every control: whoever holds it leads the group, and the others follow without giving input until they arrive. Students work on leadership, trusting teammates, and navigating outdoors.
How to play
- Make groups of 4 and number members 1 to 4; each group gets one map with an 8-control course.
- Explain the challenge: number 1 leads to the first control, number 2 to the second, and so on, for two full rotations.
- Before each leg, the leader has 30 seconds to explain the planned route to the group, pointing to it on the map.
- During the leg, the others follow the leader without giving directions; if they think there is a mistake, they may call "pause" once per leg and the leader decides.
- At each control, the group touches the control together and rates that leg's leadership with a thumbs up, sideways, or down; the course takes about 18 minutes.
- In the final 4 minutes, each group talks about what each leader did well and what was hard about following or leading.
Rules
- Only the leader of the leg holds the map; the others do not look at it.
- The group moves together and stays within 10 yards of the leader.
- Safety: the group stops at trail junctions and makes sure nobody is left behind.
Variations
Easier
Use a 6-control course near paths and allow two questions per leg.
Standard
Eight controls, one leader per leg, and one pause per leg.
Harder
The leader must guide the whole leg without talking, using gestures only.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the group picks accessible routes and the student with limited mobility sets the pace.
- Autism or shyness: the student can plan their leg with the teacher before starting and explain it by pointing at the map without talking.
- Fitness level: the group moves at the pace of its slowest member, mixing running and walking.
Learning goals
- Lead a group with clear route decisions.
- Trust a teammate's decisions and voice doubts respectfully.
- Navigate a natural setting while following safety rules.
Equipment for a class of 25
- maps: 7
- control markers: 8
Teacher tip
Make sure the legs are of similar difficulty so every leader gets a real chance. Watch for dominant students who try to run the group without the map.
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