(Prerequisite: LN1-LN3 & LNP or equivalent is recommended - but all candidates are welcome)

Open to the public

Yankee Springs State Recreation Area - Map

Land navigation skills evaluation. 2.2 kilometer orienteering course with 6 orienteering points to be completed at night within 1 hour and 45 minutes. Candidates are given a map with their points plotted. Test will determine if a graduate is capable of navigating in a wooded area, looking for difficult clues in darkness. Failure rate is 50%, however, all candidates acquire valuable skills during every attempt. No written test. (NASAR Standard – SARTECH I)

The course is performed at night without the aid of orienteering markers. Orienteering points are 4x4 posts only WITHOUT highly visible markers. This evaluation tests the skills and accuracy of any land navigator. Potential Expedition Leaders for the Fortune Bay Expedition Team must successfully complete this course (along with many other requirements) to be considered for the Expedition Leader position. This is an advanced land navigation evaluation and ALL participants are welcome to attempt it.

This is an excellent opportunity to evaluate and practice your navigation and orienteering skills. Issues, successes and mistakes will greatly improve your skills. Many students attempt the course without the expectation to "pass", but with an expectation to learn under the safe supervision of the staff.

Questions? Email the Instructor.

After registering - pay close attention to the location. Many GPS apps and devices will not be useful when finding the staging location for the practical. Please study and print the map. The staging location is an unused house between the Long Lake Outdoor Center and Hall Lake on the north side of Gun Lake Road. The house looks like a residence, however, it is owned by the State of Michigan and is part of Yankee Springs Recreation Area.

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