Any adventure sport with the kids is a great way to bond. But there is perhaps no better way to do this than by playing orienteering games.
Along with helping your child hone their navigational skills, it also allows them to learn the use of a compass and gauge distances with more accuracy.
The biggest advantage of these activities, however, is rediscovering the pristine neighbourhoods of the island; many of whom you may not have visited before.
What Are Orienteering Games?
It is an outdoor sport that involves a race that is marked out on a map. Runners have to find the number of checkpoints following the course on the map.
The participant who is able to find all the checkpoints in the right order and in the shortest time, is declared the winner.
Interestingly, this sport started in Sweden as a military exercise to help troops develop pathfinding skills, stamina, and an ability to cooperate with fellow soldiers in unfamiliar territories and situations.
Today, orienteering is accessible and loved by young kids and elderly alike.
Now, if you thought that orienteering games are only for the fittest and expert map readers, you are wrong. It is a great family sport and suitable for kids between the ages of 4 and 10 years as well.
How To Get Started With Orienteering Games In Singapore
Image courtesy: iStock
In Singapore, orienteering is usually a fast-paced activity and takes place in parks or housing estates.
If you want to take part in orienteering games with the kids, the three areas to start with include Bishan, Bedok, and Bukit Timah. However, the sport is not just limited to these areas. There are many urban spots, green spaces, and even school grounds where you can do this activity.
But before you start using your maps to run around the island, you will need a few items to get started.
- A comfortable attire that includes a running top and shorts, and a pair of sports shoes
- Compass, cap, and watch
- Water bottles and snacks
How Does Orienteering Work?
All participants need to use their maps to chart out their routes to get to their destinations. Here are a few essential points to note.
You can kick start your journey with some of these maps, as shared on Orienteering Singapore.
Having a map allows you to know your surroundings well in advance. You’ll notice that maps are charted depending on the terrain.
For instance, an orienteering map over a forest will be filled with details of cracks, boulders, ditches among other things. On the other hand, a walking map over a mountain will reflect height differences, water, and the hiking routes.
It goes without saying that planning your route allows you to be prepared for any challenge. It also enables you to carry amenities you may need while on the go.
For instance, during a city orienteering game, you might spot many bridges and roads that will help you reach your destination. You will also be able to check the shortest routes or the ones that are the safest.
Make sure the map is oriented according to the surroundings. When you orient the map, it should always stay still. It is you who should move around the map.
Remember to choose your route based on the big features that are easy to find, both on the map and in reality, especially if it is your first time.
Orienteering Games: Why You Should Do It?
Now while orienteering might be fun for some, others may need a bit more convincing.
So for the latter, it is well worth noting that orienteering helps in retention of memory and builds environmental awareness and self-esteem.
For kids, there is research to show the link between orienteering with imaginative play and physical growth. Orienteering also sharpens decision-making skills. “Should I go right or left?” “Should I take the bridge or go the long way around?” These decisions constantly require thinking, more than quick reactions or instinct.
Orienteering also teaches your child to make decisions under stress and increasing fatigue. It can thus, make them mentally tougher in similar stressful situations in their day to day lives.
Remember, if you are orienteering with young kids then set a much lower target that is age-appropriate. It is also good to be prepared for toilet breaks, snack breaks, and intermittent rest periods.
Orienteering Clubs In Singapore
Here are some of the orienteering clubs in Singapore you can try.
65 Adventure
Phone: 65 9152 9246
Osportz
1010, Dover Road,
#01-39 V. Singapore 139 658
Do note that on account of the coronavirus pandemic, you will need to check with these operators on details about their event and the other safety precautions that are being followed.
So what’s the wait? Start now and enjoy the perks of this imaginative and adventurous game.
Information source: Orienteering Singapore
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