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Human Resource Development

Compass Activities

15 minutes

1 Set of 15 Compasses Available in the HRD Library

Details
- Activity takes 15 minutes
- Each set has 15 compasses
- Each set allows for 15-45 people in groups of 1-3 per group

Reservation Instructions
Contact 801-422-5884 or email wellness@byu.edu

Activity Overview
Compasses are a fun way to get outdoors for a memorable and practical learning experience. The challenge happens as participants learn how to use a compass and then create or follow directions to make it to a specified point.

Sample Activity Instructions

  • Compass Triangle Game
    – Materials: For each team, a compass and an index card with their name on it.
    — Method: Teams start at various spots on a parking lot or other open area, marking their spots with index cards. They determine a bearing (say 30°) and walk 50 steps in that direction. They add 120° to the first bearing and walk another 50 steps. Finally, they add 120° to the second bearing and walk another 50 steps. (If a calculated bearing is more than 360°, subtract 360° to get the correct bearing.) Teams should end up back where they started.
    – Scoring: The winner is the player who gets closest to the starting point.
    — Variation: Have players wear bags over their heads so they can read their compasses but not look ahead. (Assign each a guide for safety.) This challenge will test their ability to walk in a straight line and will prevent them from cheating as they approach the starting point on the final leg.
  • Orienteering Scavenger Hunt
    — Materials: A compass, a punch card, and a topographic map of the area around your meeting place for each team, 10 or more orienteering controls and punches (can be homemade)
    — Preparation: Hide the controls and punches in the area around your meeting place and mark them on the maps. Assign each team five controls to visit, each in a different order (so they can’t follow each other and don’t get bunched up).
    — Method: On a signal, teams look for their assigned controls, punch their cards, and return to the starting point.
    — Scoring: The team that returns first with the correct punches wins.

Suggested Use
At a retreat to help teams discuss the need for precision and accuracy,

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