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WARRENTON, Mo.—Knowing how to navigate through the woods and countryside is an important skill for outdoor adventurers. GPS technology is very helpful, but what happens when the batteries die? There’s no substitute for the tried-and-true map and compass and mastering the art of orienteering.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is presenting an Orienteering class Friday, Nov. 5 from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. The program is free and open to ages eleven and up and will be held at the Warrenton Pool Park Disc Golf Pavilion.
The compass is an excellent tool for hikers, hunters, and others who travel into the field. It can help travelers reach their destination, identify their location, and map a route. Attendees will learn how to do all three at this hands-on orienteering program. It will cover the parts of a compass and how to properly hold one for an accurate reading. How do the compass points relate to cardinal directions? What’s the difference between true north and magnetic north? Why does it matter? These are some of the questions the class will address.
Participants will then put their new skills into action with practical navigation activities using a compass, which will be a treasure hunt for free giveaways. This event will take place outdoors, so attendees should have proper footwear for gravel trails, plenty of water, and prepare for the weather.
This Orienteering class is a free program, but advanced online registration is required at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZFe. All planning to attend the event should register separately. Children younger than 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
As this is an in-person activity, MDC asks all participants to observe current local social distancing and masking guidelines. Bringing and wearing face coverings is encouraged when appropriate for the in-person activity.
The Warrenton Pool Park Aquatic Center is located at 751 Warrior Avenue in Warrenton.
Program registrants should note that families now have the option to link their children’s accounts to their own which will streamline the program registration process. Once a group account is set up, parents will be able to register their children to an event without having to logoff and login for each person. This allows parents to register an entire family or select family members to an event at the same time.
Stay informed of MDC latest programs by going to the MDC St. Louis regional events page at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZP6.
