Compass Games Compilation
from the WAGGGGS-L list
from Marc
First you divide part of a room or open area or whatever into different sections. These become N, W, S, E, NW, NE, SW, SE, and so on depending on the number of kids. Then you put one kid in each section and have everybody to sit down. Stand in the middle. When you call East the kid in the east has to stand up and so on.
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from Stephanie
I have a compass game that I have used several times with 11-12 year old boys, and they seem to enjoy it quite a bit. I've even had them request it! Unfortunately I can't seem to find the file where I had written it up (must be on the old hard drive :-( ) but basically here's what is involved: The purpose of the game is to teach Scouts how to take compass bearings. This is done by having them take a series of bearings in a room (or campsite) and writing the letter they find at each one. If done correctly, they will spell a word.
I use 16 letters (you could use fewer to make it easier), placed on the walls around the room in such a way that the boy stands in one spot in the center (marked with a X of tape on the floor) to take all the bearings (that way he doesn't have to worry about whether he's walking in a straight line, and the game takes up less space!). I put the letters at the following bearings, but you could use whatever ones you like, as long as the letters are roughly evenly spaced: 0, 30, 45, 65, 90, 120, 135, 150, 180, 200, 225, 250, 270, 300, 315, 345. The letters I use are: A E I O U Y T C N L S W R K D M. You can spell LOTS of words with that collection. I have a list of about 35 5-letter words. I prepare slips of paper that have five bearing numbers on them, and 5 blanks for the boys to write in the corresponding letters. I keep the answer key in my pocket. The boys take turns, often working in pairs with one doing the compass work and the other writing the letters. Keeps them happily amused for a long time!
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from Thomas
Sometimes we line up all the cubs in a grid and blindfold them. Then we give them directions, one after the other: Go west, two steps. Go north, one step etc. As the cubs are not compass-machines, they eventually bump into each other, and that, to a cub scout, is so much fun.
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from Lee
One way that I have used to teach basic compass concepts is to relate the compass to a skateboard. "Sometimes while riding your skateboard you do a '180' (180 degrees). What does that mean? Can you do a '360'? What does that mean?..." etc
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from Terri ~ My boys love a Scavenger hunt !! Break the boys up to groups of two, with one compass. Hide an item somewhere and give the boys One written clue. This clue will involve walking a certain number of steps in a specific direction (i.e.. the compass)This will take them to another clue with more directions. You can set this up for as many clues as you wish to use in order to lead the boys to the hidden object. To make a game of it, we timed the boys and the group that found their object in the least amount of time was the winners.
This works best if some adults can be at the meeting site an hour or so before the boys show up so you have the course all ready for the event.
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from Debra
I have taken a blank piece of bristol board or cardboard that has been cut in a circle. On one side I drew a compass and on the other side I glued a picture. Cut apart the compass along the 4 main points or 'finer' points if you want. The girls had to put together the compass in order to find out what the picture was.
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from Jim
Had a bunch of new scouts several yrs ago who had few compass skills and an orienteering camporee was scheduled. We had 15 minutes of map and compass every meeting for a while. Each team of 2, rotated teams, would have an index card with a puzzle for them to solve. At the end of the puzzle would be a couple of candybars, iced drinks, things that they liked. No toys or junk to detract from the meeting later. Not being able to follow the directions meant no goodies for that team. Was a bunch of work for the adults, but I believe I could have continued indefinitely. Interest never was lost.
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from Shelagh
"Find Your Place" each child gets a card with a compass point. (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW) (there may be duplicates.) 1 child is going on a hike & they are going to make sure she doesn't get lost. She walks around the room, stops someone & says "This is (whatever compass point the card says.)" The other kids take their appropriate places. Draw new cards & repeat.
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from Tony
one game I found useful (from ScoutBase UK), was a variation of North, South, East and West, in which each wall is usually nominated as one of these points (in correct relation). However the adaptation was that whichever way the leader in the middle faced was North and so by turning and shouting a direction you can get everyone confused. It makes them think that little bit harder (as well as making the leader work).
To get more complicated, try adding in SW, SE, NW & NE as well.
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from Bernadette
The BSA catalogue has a neat beginner's compass game (and a more advanced one). The course needs to be set up ahead of the exercise (out of sight of the boys? I don't remember) but it doesn't take long if done by someone who is familiar with compass work.
The boys are given a set of headings that lead them around the course in a set pattern. They must complete the course in the correct sequence to succeed. Several boys or several teams can run the course almost simultaneously as they do not all run the course in the same order. If you have parts of lunch at each checkpoint, they get their complete lunch (of use parts of a craft kit, or game equipment or beads or whatever) if they complete the course correctly. It is used in an open field, or in an area where the Scouts won't get really lost. If you want a bigger more challenging course, make sure a knowledgeable adult or older Scout goes with each group to get them home again...
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from Ally
I found these in my files (sourced from the Guiding / Scouting Lists.
Each girl brings a chair or sit-upon into the circle. Divide the circle into the 8 points of the compass. Leave a clearly defined space between each point. When each section is called, for instance, NORTH, they stand up, turn around and then sit down. Each section does the same thing when their compass point is mentioned. When the story teller says WORLD, each player moves (clockwise) over one chair. Each player should note which section they are now occupying.
THE STORY -- The Wedding
A big important wedding is being held this year. The daughter of King NORTH is being married to the son of King SOUTH. It is going to be a very grand affair with guests from all parts of the WORLD.
From the land of the rising sun, the Emperor of the EAST and his wife, the Empress, and from the other side of the WORLD, King and Queen WEST with the little Prince NORTHEAST and the Princess SOUTHWEST.
The bridegroom, son of King SOUTH, has invited his cousin SOUTHEAST to be the best man. The bride, daughter of King NORTH, has asked her best friend, NORTHEAST, who is also a cousin of SOUTHEAST, to be Maid of Honour.
The Queen of the NORTH was very busy trying to find places for the visitors from all over the WORLD to stay. The Emperor EAST and his wife the Empress EAST had brought so many servants to wait on them, that the little town was beginning to be very overcrowded. To add to the confusion, King and Queen WEST had brought so much luggage that it took 3 wagons to haul it to the NORTH palace. Queen NORTH looked quite worried; where in the WORLD was she to put it all?
In the last wagon, Prince NORTHWEST and Princess SOUTHWEST had put all their pets which they couldn't bear to leave behind. Four SOUTHWEST cats, four big dogs (which came from the other side of the WORLD), and a cow and a goat from the EAST. The cousins SOUTHEAST and NORTHEAST thought they were very odd things to bring halfway across the WORLD to a wedding.
At last the great day dawned, beautiful and sunny. The procession started to go to the NORTH Cathedral from NORTH Palace, and people from all over the WORLD cheered. After the ceremony in NORTH Cathedral, the procession returned to the NORTH Palace for the wedding breakfast.
First came King NORTH, with Queen SOUTH on his arm. Next came King SOUTH with Queen NORTH. Following then came King and Queen WEST, with Prince NORTHWEST and Princess SOUTHWEST. Looking very grand in their silk robes were the Emperor of the EAST and the Empress of the EAST. The guests from this part of the WORLD came next. Cousins SOUTHEAST and NORTHEAST then appeared. Then came the moment the whole WORLD had been waiting for. The beautiful bride, daughter of king NORTH , and the handsome bridegroom, son of King SOUTH, were standing in the doorway. Guests from all over the WORLD threw confetti and rice as they ran down the steps to the famous NORTH glass coach.
After the wedding breakfast at NORTH Palace, the bride and groom left on their honeymoon around the WORLD. Prince NORTHWEST had tied and old boot on the back of the car, and Princess SOUTHWEST had printed "Just Married" on the front.
The whole WORLD laughed and cheered and waved good-bye and good luck, along with Prince NORTHWEST, Princess SOUTHWEST, Cousins NORTHEAST and SOUTHEAST, Emperor and Empress EAST, King and Queen SOUTH, and finally King and Queen NORTH.
So ends a happy and exhausting day!
Compass Transportation Game
I put each form of transportation on a card and then each group follows the directions. I have used for Guides and Brownies. The girls can even add some sound effects. You may want to modify directions to suit where you live.
CANOE Patrol at Dock EAST
1. Untie your canoe, load your Patrol in a straight line.
2. Paddle carefully to NORTH.
3. Watch out for ice when heading SOUTH.
4. Slowly paddle to WEST.
5. Careful of the rocks as you go NORTHEAST.
6. Then to SOUTHEAST.
7. Over the rapids to SOUTHWEST.
8. Great, you made it. On to NORTHWEST.
9. Back home to EAST. Retie the canoe, sit in a straight line to tell you are home.
TRAIN Patrol at Station NORTH
1. Load your passengers in two's. Put your hands on the elbows of the girl in front of you.
2. Chug, chug, first stop is SOUTH.
3. Next stop is WEST.
4. Drop mailbags at EAST.
5. Continue to NORTHWEST.
6. Blow whistle, go SOUTHEAST.
7. Up to NORTHEAST.
8. Blow whistle again as you cross the main road to SOUTHWEST.
9. Travel to home station NORTH. Sit in same formation so others will know you are home.
BUS Patrol at Station SOUTH
1. Load your passengers in two's.
2. First stop on your route is WEST.
3. Then go EAST.
4. Beware of snow drifts going NORTH.
5. Down to SOUTHEAST, see any bears?
6. Next is NORTHWEST, see any bears?
7. Carefully to the SOUTHWEST.
8. Enjoy the scenery as you go NORTHEAST.
9. Back home for a good rest, SOUTH. Sit in two lines on your station to tell others that you are home.
PLANE Patrol at Airport WEST
1. Load your passengers in the shape of a plane. Your flight route is below.
2. First stop is EAST.
3. On to NORTH.
4. Then go SOUTH.
5. Up to SOUTHWEST.
6. Still climbing to NORTHEAST.
7. Pick up supplies at NORTHWEST.
8. Deliver them to SOUTHEAST.
9. Well done, go home to WEST. Taxi your plane to the hangar. Sit in a
plane formation to tell others you are home.
I have done compass games with my Brownies a couple of times, and their favourites appear to be:
Have a large piece of paper with a compass drawn on it. Glue it to a piece of cardboard (I use file folders, and spray glue), then glue a nice picture to the other side of the cardboard (for Halloween, I used appropriate pictures, for instance, or the pics of the world centres for thinking day). Cut apart the compass into the various points. The girls put the compass back together on an open file folder. When they think they have it right, close the folder, hold it tight with one hand on either side so the compass doesn't fall apart, turn it over, and open it up to see if the picture turned out correctly. I hope this makes sense...I got it out of a book, and can’t find the proper wording that explained to to me!
The other game involves a kind of 'fruit basket' type of game, with the different points of the room marked as to where they are on the compass, and the girls having to run to the correct area when it is called out...sorry, can't remember this one really clearly.
I also spent a lot of 'learning' time with the girls this year, trying to figure out how to teach them how to set a compass. I started by asking them to set the compass I gave them...most of them couldn't figure out what I meant...so we put down one compass, with the needle (of course) pointing north, but the 'indicator' on the compass...the part you are to line up with the floating needle - pointing elsewhere. I asked the girls where north was, and they all pointed where the indicator was, not the floater. I then rotated the compass, and asked them again. After a couple of these, I asked them if north was moving around us...they quickly figured out what was happening, and a couple of weeks later, they could still remember how to set a compass!! Actually, I think it taught me a lot about how to set a compass, too!!! You need to make sure that you have a good quality compass where the needle doesn't 'stick', tho...that confused the girls more!
Compass Geometric Shapes You need a compass for each person (preferably) or duo, and a quantity of wrapped candies (Easter eggs?) Set out the candies on the floor/ground/grass several metres apart. Give each person compass directions starting beside a candy. The directions will make a square, but don't tell them that, i.e., 4 paces N, 4 paces E, 4 paces S, 4 paces W. If they have done it correctly they will be back where they started and can keep the candy. Do the same with other shapes. Vary the number of paces.
Where Will the Animals Go?
Equipment: a picture of an animal for each player or Brownies could bring in their favourite stuffed animal.
Large cardboard "N".
Directions: Use a compass to find north. Tape the "N" to the wall or floor. Leader calls out directions for the animals to be placed, e.g., "Will the lion please sit at northeast?" Continue until all the animals are in place. Then you can ask the players to suggest movements. "Paddington, where are you and where would you like to go?" The player with Paddington might say, "I'm down south and I would like to go northwest." Since only North is marked, the players have to figure out the relative positions of the other seven points.
They're called 3-legged walks, & form different triangular shapes.
Walk 1
a. Walk 10 paces from point A 30 degrees to B
b. Walk 10 paces from point B 150 degrees to C
c. Walk 10 paces from point C 270 degrees to A.
(you should be back where you started)
Walk 2
a. Walk 10 paces from point A 180 degrees to B
b. Walk 14 paces from point B 45 degrees to C
c. Walk 10 paces from point C 270 degrees to A
Walk 3
a. Walk 15 paces from point A 180 degrees to B
b. Walk 16 paces from point B 15 degrees to C
c. Walk 5 paces from point C 270 degrees to A
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from Ken..............
When you lay out the course, place pieces of a puzzle in each location one part is readable to get you to the next piece. When completed the puzzle will have a message like "You Did It your the best cubs bring this to................ for a special treat"
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from John
Here's a game I've used with Boy Scouts. You will have to decide if it is appropriate for the age group you have.
It's called "Spot the Spot," and here's how it works:
Ahead of time, go to a spot outdoors from which you can sight at least three fairly prominent landmarks. Take bearings to the landmarks. To play the game, the Scouts work backwards from your bearings, e.g., "The flagpole is at 82 degrees. The headquarters building is at 140 degrees. The church steeple is at 40 degrees." If I've explained myself clearly, you will understand that there is only one spot from which all these bearings will be true. The Scouts must go through the process of, "Let's see, the steeple is on the right bearing but the flagpole is way off. It must be further west." When the Scouts find that spot, they will find some kind of prize there, such as a snack or a note that says, "Return this note to your Scoutmaster to claim your prize."
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Compass Drawing There are 5 pictures you can draw using graph paper. There is also a wordfind puzzle, but is has some words that American girls might not be familiar with.
Compass Drawings - Take it outside
To Draw a TRAIN
COMPASS DRAW T 1N 1E 7N 4E 3S 3E 1N 1E 1S 2E 1N 1E 1S 2E 4S 1E 1S 2W 1S 1SW 1W 1NW 1N 4W 1S 1SW 1W 1NW 1N 2W
To Draw a DOG
COMPASS DRAW D 2E 1N 1SE 2S 4E 1NE 1E 1SW 5S 1W 3N 1W 3S 1W 3N 3W 3S 1W 3N 1W 1S 1W 2N 2E 2N 1NW 1N
Okay - want to expand on these paper drawings............?
Tent pegs for each point, thin rope - a long long lot of rope, compasses. To play in teams of about 4.
Compasses set.
A tent peg is put into the ground and the end of the rope tied on to it. The team has one girl as the measure. Her foot is always used. Instead of two spaces north - for example - she paces two shoelengths north. Another tent peg in and rope wound around. She steps next direction and again a tent peg. And so on to the end and the picture is drawn with the rope.
Note: A compass game is to learn to read a compass?????
At a push - inside - you can draw with chalk on the floor. BUT USE THE COMPASS - not the N,S,E,W, marked on the walls of the building.
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