COURSE

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​-The Orienteering Course is made up of several different disciplines required to properly navigate during a wilderness adventure. This competition has a variety of map reading, compass and gps utilization, pacing, and math skills required to successfully navigate through the wilderness with the bare minimum of tools. 

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-There are two main components of the orienteering challenge; written exam and the field course. NEW THIS YEAR 2025  participants will use an electronic device (GPS or App for you phone) for 1 leg of the orienteering course and complete a written exam.

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-The written exam requires knowledge of map symbols, contour maps, latitude, longitude, declination, scaling, and compass utilization. When it comes to the field course, participants will be required to take the paperwork skills and apply them in a field course where they will estimate distance, consistently maintain a bearing while pacing a specified distance and correctly identify specific course markers throughout the field.

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-Only magnetic compasses can be used on the Orienteering Skills Challenge course without tripods or other support. No orienteering books, encyclopedias or other written taped or transcribed material can be used in this activity. No talking will be allowed between the participants, instructors or other participants while on the course. NEW THIS YEAR 2025  participants will use an electronic device (GPS or App for you phone) for 1 leg of the orienteering course.

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-Refer to the NRA's Hunter’s Guide, Be An Expert With Map and Compass Orienteering Handbook by Bjorn Kjellstrom and Your Way with Map and Compass Orienteering by John Disley. These Silva Compass publications may be purchased through Johnson Camping, P. O. Box 966, Binghamton, NY 13902, or by calling 1-800-847-1460.

 

-Team scoring will be based on the five individual’s scores who make up the team.

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​OnX will provide YHEC Members with a free 3-month subscription to the OnX Hunt App.
As previously discussed in the 2025 National YHEC Rules, The Compass and
Orienteering event will have a segment where an electronic mapping tool such as OnX
will be utilized to find a point or coordinate, answer questions, etc., such as you would do
with a magnetic compass. Please use this link https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/r/yhece3
to sign up for the app. OnX is providing us the ELITE MEMBERSHIP LEVEL application
which covers every state in America...meaning if you are from a state outside of
Arkansas, you will be able to practice in your home state yet will be able to use it at the
Nationals when you get to Arkansas.This program will be only for 3 months and will
expire after Nationals in July. If you want the program permanently you will have to
resubscribe. You do not have to use OnX.There are several other electronic mapping or
GPS options, but OnX has been very generous and supportive by offering this to YHEC.