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Orienteering and Backpacking

8th Grade

Robin Rodriguez

University of Texas at El Paso

KIN 3223: Lifetime Physical Activities

Ana L. Cisneros

May 27, 2021

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Skill Development and Skills Application Activities

Skill Development 1: Learning how to use and read a compass

Students will be introduced to the lensatic compass. Each

student will be given a handout with the compass being labeled. Coach will go over the parts of
the compass in detail starting with the compass closed. Next coach will place thumb in thumb
loop and show how to correctly hold the compass. Following the thumb loop, the coach will then
open the cover. Once the compass is open, the coach will go over its different pieces such as the
bezel, lens, sight wire, rear sight, the magnetic needle, the azimuth (degree) and so on. Coach
will state the compass will always point to the North. Once students understand the compass, the
coach will then have students point the compass in different directions. Students will notice the
magnetic needle moving. Coach will then instruct the class to move their body completely in
different directions to see and understand how the compass changes direction as we move. Coach
will ask questions and check for understanding. Once the students familiarize themselves with
the compass, the coach will then have different color poly dots throughout the gym. Each poly
dot will require the student to find the degrees using the compass.

Skill Development 2: Learning the Equipment and the Essentials for Backpacking activity

The students will be introduced to what is

called Backpacking. Information on Backpacking will be provided verbally. The teacher will
demonstrate and explain to them the equipment such as Backpack, Hiking boot, first aid kid,
tents, whistle, etc. After showing how equipment looks, they will be giving more information on
what the essentials and most important objects are needed to perform backpacking. The students
will be divided into four groups of two. They will participate in a relay activity where each group
would be standing on an initial cone and there would be another cone a few meters apart. Several
objects with a name tag will be scattered on a delimited area a few steps from the final cone. One
person in the group will run from the initial cone to the final cone, then students must pick up an
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object (in this case a water bottle) that they think it's essential for a backpacking trip. There
would be extra objects that are not essential. After picking up their object the student must run
back and put it on their assigned backpack and their partner must write the object on a separate
sheet of paper to create a checklist on their objects. Once the student puts their object in their
backpack, the student that is writing will give the checklist to their partner and perform the same
activity. The activity would be finished until students retrieve 10 different essential objects per
group. The students will be reminded that they cannot pick the same object twice.

Skill Application: Scavenger hunt

Students will now work in

teams of four. Students will now orienteer/backpacking and use the skills and
knowledge they have learned and apply it by doing a scavenger hunt. For this hunt,
there are four checkpoints located throughout the park. The objective is for students to
find their checkpoint, using the compass and come back with the clues they have found.
Students will also be carrying an empty backpack. As they are orienteering, they will
also need to pick up necessary items needed for survival and place them in their
backpack. Once all four teams collect their clues and backpack items, they will then
decipher the clues or code and use a checklist to see if they got all the items needed for
survival. Each team will receive an index card with information regarding their course
they need to take. The information that will be on the index card will be the azimuth
(degrees) as well as hints for the clues and items needed. Teams will have to work
together to achieve this goal.
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Orienteering and Backpacking Unit Plan Objectives

Psychomotor:

1. Students will be able to read the lensatic compass properly.

2. The student will demonstrate the ability to pack their own backpack.

3. The students will demonstrate physical skills in order to do distances similar to

hiking.

Cognitive:

1. Students will be able to identify which direction they are traveling, North, East,

South, West.

2. The students will be able to identify all the backpacking equipment and the

equipment’s uses

3. Students will work on a strategy to find the letters at the checkpoints by using

the pace count method and finding the azimuth.

Affective:

1. Students will travel/navigate around Memorial Park in a safe manner.

2. The students will be in contact with nature.

3. Students will be able to motivate and encourage each other throughout the

activity.

3 Week Outline
Week 1: Orienteering
Monday
WARM-UP-6-minute Warm-up
Exercises. (Arm Circles, forward and
backward, jumping jacks, overhead
press, standing twists, squats)
SKILL-Have students watch a video
showing what orienteering is. When
the video is over, we will review
equipment needed and go over safety.
Students will be provided with a fact
sheet.
APPLICATION-Students will play a
relay game (running from sideline to
sideline) in partners and will have to
answer questions regarding the
material covered in the video, the
equipment, safety, and fact sheet
Week 2: Backpacking
Monday
WARM-UP-5 to 10 min Jog
SKILL -Introduction to
Backpacking. Explanation to
beginners the fundamentals of
backpacking.
APPLICATION- Have students
walk with Backpack over different
directions in the gym, performing
different locomotor skills.
Tuesday
WARM-UP-2-minute jump
rope activity, agility ladder
(perform in and out, side to
side and run through) high
knees, quad and hamstring
stretch
SKILL- introduce the
lensatic compass and go over
how to use the compass.
APPLICATION- have
students play and practice
pointing the compass in
different directions.
Tuesday
WARM-UP-Students will
follow instructions on
different non-locomotor skills.
10 jumping jacks, 10 arm
circles, 10 squats, 10 ladder
climbers, 10 trunk twists, 20
sec skipping in their own
place. (3 rounds)
SKILL- Different Equipment
and proper use will be shown
and explained to students.
APPLICATION- “Scattered
gear” Start with the equipment
scattered throughout the
gymnasium and groups of
two-three students standing
with a hula hoop, also in
different areas of the gym. At
the signal the students retrieve
one of each piece of
Wednesday Thursday
WARM-UP- 6-minute WARM-UP-5-minute
Warm-up exercises. jump rope activity, and
(Pushups, lunges, stretches (quad,
skipping, quad stretches, hamstring, cross-body
shoulder extension) arm stretch, triceps stretch
SKILL- review how to SKILL- review pacer
use a compass. Introduce count method. Introduce
pace count method. how to read a map.
APPLICATION-Have APPLICATION- Have
students partner up with students work in groups
a classmate. Students of four. Each team will
will work on using the receive a map and clues.
compass and count their Students will need to
steps using the pace decipher the clues and go
count method by going to the checkpoint by using
to different poly dots the compass, and pace
throughout the gym count method. Once
students reach their
destination, they will
perform the given
exercises stated at the
checkpoint.
Wednesday Thursday
WARM-UP-Run 8 min WARM-UP- 5 Min
with some hurdles on the jogging, Dynamic
lines and spots to jump. stretching.
SKILL -Teacher SKILL- First Aid Kit
explains detailed why is introduction and
important the “Buddy importance on
System” on backpacking. Different
Backpacking activities. Situations would be
APPLICATION-The explained to students.
activity will be in relay APPLICATION- One
format, teacher will group of students will
inform groups the perform different
movements they will scenarios on help
perform (skip to mid situations.Rest of students
court and back; tag, bear will need to practice the
crawl to free throw line use of their first aid kid
and back; tag, wheel and will pretend to help
barrel to mid court and their partner in the correct
back; tag, sprint to end way.
line and back; tag, high
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Friday
WARM-UP-Dynamic
stretches and dumbbell
workout
SKILL- review how to use
the compass, pace count and
how to read a map. Introduce
different terrains.
APPLICATION- have
students practice all the skills
learned by applying them to
an activity of a scavenger
hunt
Friday
WARM-UP- 10 min walking
using hiking boots.
SKILL- Review of the
Essentials and Equipment for
backpacking.
APPLICATION- In a long
walk, different scenarios
would be introduced by the
teacher, and the students will
take different objects from
their backpack for each
situation.

Week 3: Orienteering and Backpacking
Monday
WARM-UP-Shuttle races with
exercises (squats, lunges, crunches.)
SKILL- review orienteering and
backpacking.
APPLICATION- have students
work in teams to find 4 checkpoints
using the compass. Students will be
given an index card with the degree
they need to reach. The card will
also indicate hints as to what they
are looking for.
equipment, per person in their
group, and place the gear in
their hula hoop.
Tuesday
WARM-UP- 5 Min jogging,
Dynamic stretching.
SKILL- Review on Compass
and Map Knowledge. At the
beginning of class, the
students come in and gather
all of their equipment and
backpacks. They must go
through their checklist with
their partner.
APPLICATION- Students
will need to draw their own
map walking around all school
grounds. They will also need
to write 10 things that are
going to be essential from
their backpack for this task.
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knee to end line and
back; tag, lunge to mid
court and back),
Students will be in pairs.
Wednesday Thursday Friday
WARM-UP-5-minute WARM-UP- Neck WARM-UP-Different leg
jump rope and stretches rotations, Shoulder and arm exercises with
(toe stretches, cherry rotation, Trunk twists, different jump rope activities
pickers, butt-kicks) Toe taps, Squats, lunges, SKILL
SKILL- review safety leg swings, quad stretch, APPLICATION-have
and different terrains Hamstring stretch. students practice the skills
associated with SKILL-Explanation of learned in both orienteering
orienteering different situations and and backpacking by
backpacking. elevations of grounds are applying an activity of a
APPLICATION-have explained to students, and scavenger hunt throughout
students perform a relay how to perform a the campus. Students will
race from baseline to locomotor skill for each have to find the equipment
baseline. Students will situation. that is scattered by using the
need to pick and choose APPLICATION- compass and pace count
items they need based on Teacher will go on a long method. Once they find the
the question that is being walk with students item(s) they will need to
asked. Once they retrieve changing the scenarios place it in their backpack.
the item they will run and watching students
back to the baseline and perform the locomotor
put their items in a hula skill for each scenario.
hoop. Team with the
most items win.
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8th grade

Orienteering

History and Popular Facts

- The sport form of land and navigation is called Orienteering.

- Orienteering began when humans first ventured from their familiar environs into an

unmapped world, seeking new horizons.

- The First time an event was labeled an orienteering race was in 1900 at a meet organized

by Club TJalve in Oslo, Norway.

- In 1942, it became a popular activity in Swedish physical education programs.

- The main objectives are to gain the basic skills of land navigation using a map and a

compass. Improve physical fitness. Know what to expect at a standard competition.

Acquire an increased awareness of the environment.

Equipment

- Compasses

- Map

- Watches

- Whistle
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Important components of a Map

1. Title – what the map is about

2. Compass Rose – directions (orientation of map)

3. Symbols – pictures used instead of words

4. Legend or Key – explains meaning of symbols and colour

5. Colour – highlights important or different information to help interpret maps

6. Scale – shows the proportion of map to real life

7. Grid reference – intersecting lines to help locate specific places on the map.

Backpacking 8th grade

History and Facts

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-The history of backpacking as a recreation dates back to the early 1900s. While an exact date is

difficult to ascertain, a historical perspective would be incomplete without a few major

developments of note - namely, the invention of the pack board and the 1968 passing of the

National Scenic Trail Act.

- The rewards to the backpacker are magnificent scenery, solitude, and a sense of awe inspired

by the magnitude of natural surroundings.

-Hiking Boots very essential need to be waterproof and breathable material such as Gore Tex.

Needs to feet properly to avoid blisters.

- Must hikers use two pairs of socks.

- It's advisable to use your boots a few days before your trip.

-Backpack should not exceed one third of the body weight.

The Essentials and Equipment

-Map and Compass

-Water, Sunscreen, flashlight

-First Aid Kit

-Whistle, matches and Knife

-Hiking Boots, Socks, and Gaiters

-Backpack

-Sleeping Bags and Sleeping Pads

-Tents, Trail stoves

Backpack Dimensions
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Hiking Boots
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Knowledge based test

1. What is orienteering?

A. Competitive sport of land navigation

B. The activity of going on long walks, especially in the woods
C. Going on a long arduous journey
D. The act or process of orienting

2. When did the first orienteering event take place?

A. 1920
B. 1919
C. 1900
D. 1930

3. What is pace counting?

A. Counting single steps it takes to travel 100 meters

B. Counting the number of double steps it takes to travel 100 meters
C. Repeated fast-paced runs of 100 yards
D. Taking your time when walking a trail

4. What is bearing?

A. Manner in which one behaves or composes self

B. Withstanding a weight or strain
C. Tool
D. A direction to travel, measured in degrees from north and determined by a map
and compass
E.
5. An easily located feature from which an orienteer begins to navigate carefully to a control
known as an attack point?

A. False
B. True

6. When backpacking, what equipment is essential?

A. Map and compass

B. Water
C. Food
D. Shelter
E. All of the above
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7. A Backpack should not exceed one third of your weight?

A. True
B. False

8. What is a condition that occurs when the body core temperature falls below normal?

A. Tachycardia
B. Hyperthermia
C. Hypothermia
D. Rigor mortis

9. What is a gorp?

A. A pack with the frame enclosed in the pack sack

B. Thickness of the sleeping bag
C. A padded waist belt
D. High energy food eaten during the day of the hike

10. When orienteering or backpacking what is the MOST important item you always need to
bring or have with you?
A. Cell phone
B. Compass
C. Water
D. Lighter fluid

Answer key: 1.A, 2.C, 3.B, 4.D, 5.B, 6.E, 7.A, 8.C, 9.D, 10.B
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Task Sheet 8th grade

Orienteering: Compass

To the student: Practice task as described.

Compass
1. Place thumb through thumb loop. Index finger holding the compass, while middle, ring
and pinky finger holding compass underneath, near thumb.
2. Adjust the bezel, have the index line up with the wire site.
3. Point compass in the direction your target is located, use index line to find the degree.

Cues: Results:

Compass In Progress (IP)

Thumb loop Fair(F)

Bezel/ index line Good (G)

Azimuth (degree) Excellent (E)

Tasks Made Attempts Results Set 1 Results Set 2 Teacher Feedback

Compass to target: 120°, _____ of 10

44 steps

Compass to target: 240°, _____ of 10

80 steps

Compass to target: 170°, _____ of 10

125 steps

Compass to target:210°, _____ of 10

106 steps

Evaluator Feedback:
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Resources

Curtis, R. (2005). The backpacker's field manual a comprehensive guide to mastering

backcountry skills. Three Rivers Press.

McNeill, C., Cory-Wright, J., & Renfrew, T. (1998). Teaching orienteering. Human Kinetics.

Mood, Musker, Rink (2012). Sports and Recreational Activities ( 15th Ed.)
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UNIT PLAN ORGANIZATION/DELEGATION SHEET

Activity: Orienteering and Backpacking

Group Members: Robin Rodriguez

Unit Piece Responsible (Name)

COVER SHEET Robin Rodriguez

SKILL Dev/Game Play Activity Robin Rodriguez

SKILL Dev/Game Play Activity Robin Rodriguez

SKILL Dev/Game Play Activity Robin Rodriguez

UNIT PLAN OBJECTIVES Robin Rodriguez

3-WEEK OUTLINE Robin Rodriguez

HISTORY/ FACT SHEET Robin Rodriguez

KNOWLEDGE BASED TEST Robin Rodriguez

SKILLS TEST Robin Rodriguez

RESOURCE PAGE Robin Rodriguez,

(at least 3; only 1 can be from the internet)