About the Course
Ages 11-18 | 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM | Woodland Park Pickup/Drop-off
Ditch the GPS and discover the art of true wilderness navigation! This immersive full-day adventure teaches you to navigate Colorado's backcountry like an expert using only a map, compass, and your growing skills. Imagine the confidence of knowing you can find your way anywhere in the wilderness without relying on technology or batteries. Through hands-on instruction on beautiful Park and Teller County trails, you'll master topographic map reading, compass navigation, terrain association, and route planning—skills that transform you from trail-follower to wilderness navigator. Put your knowledge to the test with exciting orienteering challenges and off-trail navigation exercises that prove you've got what it takes to explore anywhere. By day's end, you'll see the landscape differently, understanding terrain features and navigation principles that open up a lifetime of adventure!
Your Day of Navigation Mastery:
Morning (8:30 AM - 12:30 PM): Meet at Woodland Park and travel to pristine trailheads in Park or Teller County wilderness areas. Begin with comprehensive map reading instruction—unlock the secrets of topographic maps, contour lines, elevation profiles, and terrain features that tell the story of the landscape. Learn compass basics including all the parts of a compass, how to take accurate bearings, and techniques for following bearings through varied terrain. Then hit the trail! Apply your new navigation skills on a guided hike where you'll identify terrain features in real-time, practice reading the landscape, and begin to see the connection between what's on your map and what's around you. Stop at scenic viewpoints to analyze maps and practice route planning with expert guidance.
Midday (12:30 PM - 1:15 PM): Enjoy lunch at a beautiful location while your instructor helps you analyze the terrain you've covered and plan your afternoon navigation challenges.
Afternoon (1:15 PM - 5:30 PM): Level up with advanced compass techniques including triangulation, position finding using multiple bearings, and combining terrain association with compass navigation. Get ready for the real test—off-trail navigation practice where you'll use your map and compass skills to navigate cross-country terrain without following established trails. Join your team for exciting navigation challenges and orienteering courses that put everything you've learned into action. Understand when and how GPS technology can appropriately support (but not replace) your navigation skills. Learn Leave No Trace backcountry travel principles. Complete final navigation exercises that demonstrate your new capabilities before heading back to Woodland Park, ready to explore anywhere with confidence!
Bring your own lunch | Maps and compasses provided for every participant | Park/Teller County wilderness trails | 4-6 miles of hiking with navigation practice
Your Instructor
Andy
Andy is the founder of XP Adventure and a seasoned outdoor professional dedicated to making adventure accessible to all through comprehensive skill-building education. With extensive guiding experience across activities from Alaskan ice climbing to Colorado backpacking, he empowers students to develop the foundational skills needed to confidently pursue their outdoor passions independently.
