QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS

Navigation Basics

• Have you ever felt lost, either in a new place or in nature? How did you figure out where to go?
• What natural landmarks, like trees or hills, do you notice in your neighborhood? How could they help someone navigate?
• If you could create a map of your favorite place, what would you include as landmarks?
• Do you think maps are still important today, even with GPS? Why or why not?
• Have you ever tried to use a paper map? How was it different from using an app?
• Why do you think navigation is an important skill? Can you think of a time when knowing how to find your way would be useful?
• What would happen if someone didn’t plan their route before going on a hike? What problems could they face?

Using Map Features

• Why do maps have symbols, a legend, and a north arrow? How do these help us when using a map?
• Imagine you are creating a map of your school or neighborhood. What features would you include to make it easy for someone else to use?

Identifying Landmarks

• What natural landmarks do you notice around your home or in your community? How do they help you find your way?
• If you got lost in a forest, what landmarks would you look for to help you navigate?

Making Good Choices

• If you had to choose between a long, safe route and a short, risky route, which would you pick? Why?
• What would you do first if you realized you were lost? How would you stay calm and figure out where to go?
• How can planning ahead make an outdoor adventure safer and more fun? What tools would you bring with you?
• Imagine you are on a hike and come across two paths. One has a sign pointing toward a water source, and the other leads uphill with no signs. How would you decide which path to take?