Orienteering race - ATSEGS – Adventure Therapy for Your Class

Orienteering race

Age groups:

13-14, 15-16, 17-19

Activity duration:

Long activities (1hr 30 mins - 2hr 30 mins. Approx 2 hrs)

Skills worked on:

Self-management, Relationship skills

Type of terrain:

Urban or semi urban areas, Woods or similar natural/rural areas, Forest, mountains or nature areas with uneven terrain, Coastal or lake areas

Preparation

For this activity, maps should be selected based on participants’ capabilities. Several checkpoints need to be set up, each marked with a beacon for easy recognition. Each checkpoint should be labeled with a reference number on the map. To enrich the experience, activities or challenges can be added at each checkpoint, creating opportunities for discussions on nature-related topics or environmental awareness. Each group will follow a different checkpoint order for a unique experience.

Participants are divided into teams of 3 to 5 members. Each team receives maps and compasses and must navigate through an orienteering course. At each checkpoint, they will encounter different challenges, such as:

Identifying three types of plants or trees in the area.
Collecting litter along the route (if applicable) to promote environmental responsibility.
Reflecting on how the landscape has changed or evolved over time.

Teams must complete the route within a set time limit and return to the meeting point.

Materials needed

Maps (at least 2 per group)
Compasses (at least 2 per group)
Extra materials: Whistles, first aid kits, walkie-talkies

Variations

To increase difficulty, teams can be restricted to using only natural visual markers instead of compasses, encouraging greater reliance on their surroundings.
A silent segment of the route can be introduced to help participants fully immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of nature, promoting mindfulness.