BRUNSWICK HIKING FIELD GUIDE
Zoom Map & Compass Fundamentals — Navigate Like a Maine Guide from Your Living Room
Two instructor-led classes that teach topographic map reading, compass use, route planning and safety—useful for hikers, geocachers and future Registered Maine Guides.
Zoom Map & Compass Fundamentals — Navigate Like a Maine Guide from Your Living Room.
Master map reading and compass skills in two focused classes: learn to read topographic maps and symbols, plot and plan routes, find your location with a handheld compass, and practice safety and emergency planning—designed for anyone who enjoys getting outdoors and for future Registered Maine Guides.
Highlights
Course Highlights
Topographic maps, route planning and safety
Participants learn to read topographic maps, identify symbols, determine safe and dangerous routes, plot courses and plan for emergencies—core map-reading skills you can apply on trails or while geocaching.
Handheld compass fundamentals (no sighting compass required)
The curriculum covers how to use a two-degree baseplate handheld compass both inside and outside; a sighting compass is not required and any baseplate two-degree model will work.
Two instructor-led Zoom sessions with practical homework
The course is delivered as two classes (with skills presented and practiced during class) and includes homework worksheets to be completed between sessions; students should read the online textbook 3–7 days in advance and bring printed worksheets to class.
What the day feels like
What the course feels like
The experience is a classroom-to-field primer delivered over two focused sessions: preparatory reading and printed worksheets set the stage, followed by instructor-led demonstrations and hands-on compass-and-map exercises on Zoom, with homework to reinforce skills between classes.
THE SKILLS
Topographic maps, route planning and safety
Participants learn to read topographic maps, identify symbols, determine safe and dangerous routes, plot courses and plan for emergencies—core map-reading skills you can apply on trails or while geocaching.
THE TOOL
Handheld compass fundamentals (no sighting compass required)
The curriculum covers how to use a two-degree baseplate handheld compass both inside and outside; a sighting compass is not required and any baseplate two-degree model will work.
THE FORMAT
Two instructor-led Zoom sessions with practical homework
The course is delivered as two classes (with skills presented and practiced during class) and includes homework worksheets to be completed between sessions; students should read the online textbook 3–7 days in advance and bring printed worksheets to class.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits — and what to check before you enroll.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Two instructor-led Zoom classes with practical exercises and homework; the course listing includes a total duration of 3.0 hours and the description references two classes of two hours each—review the schedule provided by the operator for exact session lengths.
Students will need a two-degree baseplate compass and the printed worksheets; a Delorme Maine Gazetteer (any edition) is very helpful.
The course meets as a Zoom presentation; review the operator's meeting instructions for the exact online link and session times.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Do I need a sighting compass?
No; any baseplate two-degree compass will work for the course—sighting compasses are not required.
Do I need a Maine Gazetteer?
Yes; a Delorme Maine Gazetteer is very helpful and can be any edition—you do not need a new one.
My tools haven't arrived for the first class. Can I still attend?
Yes — you can attend the first class even if your compass or other tools haven't arrived yet.
How long is the course?
The course listing shows a total duration of 3.0 hours; the descriptive materials reference two classes of two hours each—confirm exact session timing with the operator.
Where do classes meet?
Classes are delivered via Zoom (online presentation).