RECENTLY statistics were released by Ordnance Survey which showed that 40 per cent of people surveyed did not feel confident with reading a paper map. New technology means that we are reliant on satnavs and the GPS on our phones but in some of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes you might struggle to get a signal that you can rely on. Not only that but technology is expensive and what happens if the battery runs out or if you get it wet? Also navigating your way home using a map is a challenge and requires problemsolving skills, there’s no fun in simply switching on a phone and it telling you how to get home.

Week in week out at Scouts Scotland we progressively teach our young people to develop the skills that they need to navigate and explore their own community. This can be through map reading, using a compass, learning about the stars and co-ordinates but it also teaches them problem solving and team building skills. This is then built upon and developed throughout their Scouting career as they go on expeditions at home and abroad.

As well as this at our National Activity Centres, we introduce young people, Scouts and non-Scouts, to basic map reading through our orienteering sessions. This usually starts indoors where they draw a plan of the dining hall and then use their plan/map to find a route through the tables and chairs. Then building on the skills learned indoors they are given a map of the Centre with orienteering markers to go and find. It’s challenging but fun and the kids love it. But we also deliver training right up to advanced mountain navigation.

With National Map Reading Week taking place in October (17-23) we hope that more people will try to increase their map reading skills, as it’s a fun and challenging life skill which benefits everyone from young to old, and Scouting is an excellent way to do this.

Graeme Luke,

Head of Scouting Operations, Scouts Scotland,

Fordell Firs, Hillend, Dunfermline.