Choosing the right compass for your expedition
A reliable compass can make the difference between confidently finding your next checkpoint and wandering in circles. Check out our advice on choosing the right compass.
Navigating your expedition
The navigation element of the DofE programme is often pipped as the one participants are most apprehensive about. Ironically, it is often the skill that participants get the most satisfaction from when they have managed to lead their team from A to B successfully. It's an extraordinary feeling, that you will soon know!
To get you started on the front foot, delve into our resources to learn from participants before you, our experienced instructors, and our in-house team of experts.
We are here to help and love being able to share this brilliant skill with the next generation of explorers.
Navigational tips when approaching DofE
Check out these top tips to navigate the world of navigation... it can feel a little overwhelming but there are heaps of tools in the box to help you determine your location and where you are heading.
7 Common mistakes DofE participants make and how to avoid them!
Lets delve into common mistakes that participants make and how you can change tact.
Understanding Maps
You will be using an OS map specifically for the area of your DofE expedition. There are different 'scales' of map including 1:25,000 and 1:50,000, but what does this mean and how is it relevant to you?
Understanding Map Symbols
Your map is full of coloured symbols and icons, and all have different meanings which will aide in your navigation. But what do they mean?
Contour Lines
Your map will help you understand the shape and formations in the landscape. It does this using contour lines, those reddy brown wiggly lines all over the map. Contour lines will also let you know your height above sea-level
How to take a 4-figure and 6-figure grid reference.
Using grid lines on the map (the straight blue lines) you can take a 4-figure grid reference and define a one kilometre square on a map, or take note of a location. For more accuracy, there are also 6-figure grid references.
Using a Compass
One of the most basic but fundamental pieces of equipment in any navigators box of tools, the compass. There are various parts to the compass and ways to use it, so knowing the basics will be really important for your DofE expedition.
