Preparedness Pro Slides Preparedness Pro
The Ten Essentials & Outdoor Safety
The Scenario
You are hiking a beautiful trail. Suddenly, you realize the sun is setting, you've lost the path, and it's getting cold.
What three items from your pack would save you right now?
🔦
🥪
🗺️
🧥
The Ten Essentials
1
Navigation
(Map & Compass)
6
Fire
(Matches/Lighter)
2
Sun Protection
7
Repair Kit & Tools
3
Insulation
(Extra Clothes)
8
Nutrition
(Extra Food)
4
Illumination
(Headlamp/Flashlight)
9
Hydration
(Extra Water)
5
First Aid Supplies
10
Emergency Shelter
The Goal of the Essentials
Preventing Emergencies
Being prepared means you can handle small problems (like a blister or a wrong turn) before they become big ones.
Surviving Emergencies
If you do get lost or injured, these items help you stay warm, hydrated, and safe until help arrives.
Leave No Trace (LNT)
Plan Ahead & Prepare
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impact
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Others
Keep the Wilderness Wild
Survival Bag Checklist Survival Bag Checklist
Mission: Prepare for the Unknown
Name:
Date:
Instructions
The Ten Essentials are the standard items all hikers should carry for safety. For each category below, list one specific item you would pack and explain why it is important for a 5th grader on a day hike.
1. Navigation
Item:
Why it's essential:
2. Sun Protection
Item:
Why it's essential:
3. Insulation
Item:
Why it's essential:
4. Illumination
Item:
Why it's essential:
5. First Aid
Item:
Why it's essential:
6. Fire
Item:
Why it's essential:
7. Repair Kit
Item:
Why it's essential:
8. Nutrition
Item:
Why it's essential:
9. Hydration
Item:
Why it's essential:
10. Emergency Shelter
Item:
Why it's essential:
Leave No Trace Challenge
Explain how bringing a Repair Kit might help you follow the Leave No Trace principles:
Safety First Facilitator Guide Safety First Guide
Teacher Facilitation: Outdoor Preparedness
Pacing
60 Minutes
Format
Simulation & Discussion
Key Goal
Risk Assessment Skills
The "Ten Essentials" Relay
Set up 5 backpacks at one end of the gym/field. At the other end, place a pile of items (some "essentials" and some "distractors" like a game console, a heavy book, or a pillow).
Round 1: Teams must run and grab one "Safety" item and return.
Round 2: Teams must find an "Insulation" item.
Debrief: Ask why carrying a game console might actually be dangerous (weight, takes up space for water).
Discussion Prompts
The "Why" of Water
"If a hike is only 1 mile, why do we pack 'Extra' water?"
Answer: Unforeseen delays, injuries, or helping others who are dehydrated.
LNT Principles
"Is it okay to take a cool rock home if there are millions of them?"
Answer: No. If everyone took one, the ecosystem would be destroyed (Leave What You Find).
Safety Protocol: S.T.O.P.
Teach students this acronym for what to do if they lose their group:
S Sit
T Think
O Observe
P Plan
Mapping Mountains Slides Mapping Mountains
Deciphering Topographic Maps & Symbols
3D World vs. 2D Paper
🏔️
Real Terrain
Tall, bumpy, steep, and 3D
🌀
Topo Map
Flat lines and squiggles
How do these lines tell us how high a mountain is?
Contour Lines
A contour line connects points of the exact same elevation .
RULE 1
Lines close together = STEEP slope.
RULE 2
Lines far apart = FLAT ground.
PEAK
Top View of a Cone Hill
The Map Language
Blue
Water features
Green
Vegetation/Forest
Black
Human-made (buildings)
Red/Brown
Roads & Contours
Challenge: Pick the Path
You are at the base of a hill. You see two routes on your map:
Route A
The contour lines are almost touching each other.
Route B
The contour lines have big spaces between them.
Which path is the easy walk?
Topo Translator Worksheet Topo Translator
Cracking the Map Code
Name:
Part 1: The Secret Language
Match the map symbol or color to what it represents on the ground.
Blue squiggly line
Green shaded area
X
Black "X" or square
Brown circular lines
A. Elevation / Hills
B. Human-made structure
C. River or stream
D. Forest or woodland
Part 2: The Contour Challenge
800ft 700ft 600ft
Look at the map to the left:
What is the highest point shown on this map segment?
If you walked from the "600ft" line to the "800ft" line, are you going uphill or downhill?
Part 3: Match the Landscape
Draw a line connecting the 3D landscape description to its 2D Map Drawing.
Landscape A: A very steep cliff that drops off quickly.
Landscape B: A wide, flat field with no hills.
Lines are spread very far apart.
Lines are crowded very close together.
Map Symbol Reference Sheet Map Symbol Field Guide
Quick Reference for Young Navigators
Map Colors
Blue: Water
Lakes, rivers, swamps, or streams.
Green: Vegetation
Woods, orchards, or thick scrub.
White: Open Land
Cleared fields or rocky ground.
Brown: Contours
Shows hills, valleys, and slopes.
Terrain Symbols
▪️
Building
=====
Road
---X---
Fence
~~~~
Stream
^ ^ ^
Peak
⚑
Checkpoint
"A map is like a storybook. If you know the language, you can see the world before you even take a step."
Needle Knack Slides Needle Knack
Mastering the Magnetic Compass
The Magic Needle
No matter how you turn, spin, or dance, the red needle of a compass always points the same way.
Why does it never change?
Hint: Our Earth is a giant magnet!
N
S
E
W
Your Navigation Tool
Baseplate
The clear flat bottom. Hold it level like a tray of drinks!
Housing
The spinning dial with numbers (degrees) on it.
Magnetic Needle
The red end always seeks Magnetic North.
The Golden Rule of Handling
Direction of Travel Arrow
Always point the arrow away from your body towards where you want to go.
Watch Out for Metal
Belt buckles, phones, and fences will "trick" your needle. Keep them away!
Secret Phrase: "Red in the Shed"
Inside the housing, there is a stationary arrow called the Orienting Arrow (The "Shed").
To navigate, turn your body until the magnetic needle ("Red") is inside the orienting arrow ("Shed").
RED IN THE SHED!
Compass Commander Activity Compass Commander
Skills Drill & Anatomy
Name:
Part 1: Compass Anatomy
1
2
3
Write the name of the part next to the number:
Word Bank: Magnetic Needle, Baseplate, Housing Dial, Direction of Travel Arrow.
Part 2: The Compass Rose
Fill in the cardinal and intercardinal directions (N, S, E, W, NE, SE, SW, NW).
Skill Check: "Red in the Shed"
Explain in your own words what you do when your teacher says "Red in the Shed":
Compass Drill Guide Compass Drill Guide
Teacher's Technical Instruction Sheet
1 The Proper Stance
Step-by-Step:
Elbows tucked into sides.
Compass held flat (waist high).
Baseplate against the belly button (keeps it centered).
Look across the compass, not down at it.
Tip: Tell students to imagine they are carrying a tray of very full water glasses. They can't tilt!
2 Finding North Drill
Have all students stand in a circle. Ask them to turn their housing dials until 'N' (0 degrees) matches the Direction of Travel Arrow.
Commands to Shout:
"North Check!"
Everyone should be facing the same way with "Red in the Shed".
"Spin & Reset!"
Students spin around 3 times, then must find North again quickly.
Common 5th Grade Errors
Tilting the Compass: Needle hits the glass and gets stuck. Ensure it stays level.
Metal Interference: Check for belt buckles or metal clipboards held too close.
Wrong End: Using the white end of the needle. Remind them: "Red seeks North."
Dial Turning: Students often turn the compass instead of their body once the dial is set.
Bearing Basics Slides Bearing Basics
The Geometry of Exploration
The Blindfold Walk
"I can walk in a perfectly straight line!"
Without a target or a tool, most humans naturally walk in a slight circle. A bearing is your "invisible rail" that keeps you going straight.
🚶♂️💨 🌀
Why do we veer off course?
Degrees are the Key
A Bearing is an Angle
It is the number of degrees from North to your Destination .
0° / 360°
North
90°
East
180°
South
270°
West
0°
90°
180°
270°
45°
Making the Map "Match" Reality
Lay your map on a flat surface.
Set your compass to 0° (North).
Place the compass edge along the "North Arrow" on the map.
Spin the map and compass together until the needle is in the shed.
Now, North on the paper is North in the real world!
Follow the Arrow
1. Look Up
Find a landmark (tree, rock, pole) that the Direction of Travel Arrow points to.
2. Walk There
Walk straight to that landmark. Check your compass again once you reach it.
Navigation Mission Log Navigation Mission Log
Practical Bearing Practice
Team:
Date:
Mission Objective
Practice taking bearings to landmarks and following specific bearings to reach hidden targets. Remember to keep your compass level and check for metal!
Task 1: Sighting Landmarks
Stand at the "Start Point". Point your compass at the following landmarks and record the bearing in degrees.
Landmark / Object Measured Bearing (Degrees) 1. Large Tree or flagpole 2. Corner of the building 3. Goal post or fence post
Task 2: Bearing Walk
Set your compass to the bearing provided. Follow it for the distance given. What do you find?
Target A
90°
Distance: 20 paces
Object Found:
Target B
225°
Distance: 40 paces
Object Found:
Debrief Question
If you took a bearing to a landmark, and your partner got a number that was 10 degrees different than yours, what might have happened?
Bearing Step by Step Guide The Bearing Protocol
Follow these 5 steps to stay on track
1
DIAL IT IN
Turn the housing dial until the number (degrees) you want is lined up exactly with the Direction of Travel Arrow at the top.
2
HOLD IT LEVEL
Hold the compass flat against your body (waist level) like you are holding a plate. Make sure the Direction Arrow points away from you.
3
DO THE TWIST
Turn your entire body slowly until the magnetic needle ("Red") is perfectly inside the orienting arrow ("Shed").
"Red in the Shed!"
4
PICK A TARGET
Look up past the compass. Find a distinct landmark (like a specific tree or post) that the Direction Arrow is pointing at.
5
WALK THE LINE
Walk directly to that landmark. Once you reach it, check your compass again and pick a new landmark further along the same line.
Navigator Pro Tip: If you lose sight of your landmark, stop immediately! Reset "Red in the Shed" before you take another step.
Final Frontier Slides Final Frontier
The Orienteering Challenge
Mission Briefing
Your Goal
Locate all 8 hidden checkpoints on campus using only your map and compass.
The Proof
At each checkpoint, you will find a letter code . Record them on your scorecard.
Seek the Markers
Rules of the Course
Teamwork
Stay with your partner at all times. Never split up!
Speed vs. Accuracy
It's a race, but if you rush and miss a bearing, you'll get lost.
LNT Rules
No running through flower beds or bushes. Use the paths!
Ready... Set... Check!
Is your map oriented to North?
Do you have your scorecard and pencil?
Is your compass "Red in the Shed"?
GO!
Checkpoint Challenge Scorecard Checkpoint Challenge
Official Navigator Scorecard
Team Name:
Start Time:
Checkpoint 1
Target Bearing: 45°
Checkpoint 2
Target Bearing: 120°
Checkpoint 3
Target Bearing: 180°
Checkpoint 4
Target Bearing: 250°
Checkpoint 5
Check Map Symbol
Checkpoint 6
Target Bearing: 310°
Checkpoint 7
Check Map Symbol
Checkpoint 8
Final Dash: 0°
The Secret Navigator Message
Combine your codes to reveal the phrase
-
Post-Mission Reflection
What was the most challenging part of today's course? How did your team solve it?
Course Commander Setup Kit Course Setup Kit
Teacher's Implementation Guide
Preparation Checklist
Create the Map: Use a satellite view of your campus to draw a simple black-and-white map showing buildings and major landmarks.
Place Markers: Hang 8 orange/white 'flags' (laminated paper works great) in hidden but reachable locations.
Code the Markers: Write a single large letter on each flag that spells out a secret phrase (e.g., "MAPS-RULE").
Verify Bearings: Stand at the "Start Line" and record the actual bearings to each marker to help students if they get stuck.
Management Strategy
Staggered Starts
To prevent "following the leader", release teams in 2-minute intervals. Give Team 1 the bearings for Checkpoints 1-4 first. Give Team 2 the bearings for 5-8 first.
The "Help" Station:
Designate a central spot where you (the teacher) will stand. If a team can't find a marker after 5 minutes, they must return to you for a "Hint Bearing" or a map check.
Safety Protocols
Boundaries
Clearly mark the "Out of Bounds" areas with cones or tape. Remind students that crossing a boundary is an automatic disqualification.
The Whistle
One long whistle blast means "Freeze". Three blasts mean "Return to the Start immediately".