Outward Bound Inc. - The Outward Bound map & compass handbook

OUTWARD BOUND MAP & COMPASS HANDBOOK

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FALCON GUIDES

Copyright 1989, 1998, 2012 Glenn Randall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to Globe Pequot Press, Attn: Rights and Permissions Department, PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437.

FalconGuides is an imprint of Globe Pequot Press.

Falcon, FalconGuides, and Outfit Your Mind are registered trademarks of Morris Book Publishing, LLC.

Illustrations: Jack Tom

Art on pages iii, vii, ix, 1, 19, 33, 44, 53, 59, 66, and 93 licensed by Shutterstock.com

Text design: Eileen Hine

Project editor: Julie Marsh

Layout: Sue Murray

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Randall, Glenn 1957-

The Outward Bound map & compass handbook / Glenn Randall. -Rev. and expanded ed.

p. cm.

Includes index.

ISBN 978-1-55821-747-8

1. OrienteeringHandbooks, manuals, etc.

I. Outward Bound, Inc. II. Title.

GV200.4.R364 1998

796.58dc21

98-18603

ISBN 978-0-7627-7857-7

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The author and Globe Pequot Press assume no liability for accidents happening to, or injuries sustained by, readers who engage in the activities described in this book.

The third edition of Outward Bound Map & Compass Handbook is dedicated to my father, a civil engineer who first taught me how to use a map and compass; to my mother, whose itchy feet and love of travel inspired my own desire to explore the forgotten corners of the map; and to my wife Cora, an atmospheric scientist whose constant drive to understand every subject in depth inspires me to do the same.

Outward Bound, Americas preeminent experiential education organization, has been a pioneer in the field of wilderness experiential learning since it was established in the United States in 1961 and has continued to deliver unparalleled outdoor educational programs ever since. Today Outward Bound provides adventure and learning for teens, adults, veterans, at-risk youth, and professionals, helping them achieve their full potential and inspiring them to serve others.

A Brief History

Outward Bound is based on the educational ideas of Kurt Hahn, an influential German-born educator. Hahn established the School at Schloss Salem in an attempt to combat what he perceived as the deterioration of values in postWorld War I Germany. Salems progressive curriculum focused on character development through physical fitness, skill attainment, self-discipline, and compassionate service. In 1933, thirteen years after establishing Salem, Hahn fled Nazi-ruled Germany to Britain. Soon after his arrival he set about establishing the Gordonstoun School in Scotland to continue his work under the motto Plus est en vous (There is more in you than you know).

In 1941, in a joint effort with British shipping magnate Sir Lawrence Holt, Hahn founded the first Outward Bound Sea School in Aberdovey, Wales. The name of the school was adopted from the nautical term used when ships leave the safety of the harbor for the open seas: They were said to be outward bound for unknown challenges and adventures. The school not only taught sailing skills but also integrated Hahns core belief that character development was just as important as academic achievement. Hahns goal was to teach self-reliance, fitness, craftsmanship, and compassion as a way to provide the youth of Great Britain with the benefits of life experience and prepare them to serve their nation in the struggle against Nazi Germany. The program revolved around a series of increasingly rugged challenges designed to develop the self-confidence, fortitude, and leadership skills required to survive harsh physical and mental challenges.

Josh Miner, an American who taught under Hahn at Gordonstoun, was inspired to bring Outward Bound to the United States. Working with a small group of committed supporters, Miner founded the Colorado Outward Bound School in 1961, bringing the principles of hands-on learning and compassionate service through outdoor adventure to America.

Outward Bound Today

Today Outward Bound has expanded to thirty-six countries throughout the world. In the United States the organization has close to one million alumni who stay connected and engaged through Outward Bounds alumni association (www.outwardboundalumni.org). Central to its mission are the values of inclusion and diversity, evidenced by its scholarship program designed to attract and benefit populations that are typically underserved. Approximately 25 percent of participants receive financial support, and they span ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic diversity.

In the United States, to advance goals of transforming lives and developing compassionate, purposeful people, Outward Bound now offers its unique blend of adventure-based programs fitted to the needs of:

Teens and young adults

At-risk youth

Adults

Veterans

Professionals

Although programs vary broadly in target population, location, and objective, they all contain the elements that Kurt Hahn espoused as central to the development of effective and compassionate citizens: adventure and challenge; learning through experience; integrity and excellence; inclusion and diversity; social and environmental responsibility; leadership and character development; and compassion and service. For participants in any of the varied programs, in any part of the world, these core values provide the foundation for their Outward Bound experience.

THE INSTRUCTORS

Outward Bound instructors are highly trained, qualified educators and outdoor skills specialists. Participant safety is the highest priorityfoundational to every program. Every course is accompanied by instructors who hold wilderness first-responder-level certifications at the minimum and who have received hundreds of hours of educational, safety, student- and activity-management training. Staff members are proficient inand passionate aboutthe specific wilderness skills of the activity they teach, whether rock climbing, sailing, mountaineering, sea kayaking, canoeing, or whitewater rafting. To help participants along their personal growth paths, instructors are trained in managing groups and individuals. A vital component of every course is the instructors ability to not only shepherd participants through individual course challenges but also to help them work as effective leaders and contributing members of the team.

Outward Bounds Lasting Impact

The impact of each expedition extends well beyond the course itself. This impact is different for each individual but can be seen in a variety of ways, including improved school performance, closer relationships with family and friends, and a new commitment to service. When Outward Bound participants return home, they bring with them a new sense of responsibility, an enhanced appreciation of the environment, and a strong service ethic that they share with friends and family. Most important, they bring a newfound belief that there is more in you than you know and an inspiration to act on that knowledge. In one participants words, What I was lacking I have found; now I have the tools to keep growing and to work hard to accomplish my dreams, and to do anything I can to help others accomplish their dreams as well.