Finding Our Way: Winter Orienteering at Leo Bouchard
On a cold December afternoon, 11 people gathered at the Leo Bouchard Conservation Center for a hands-on orienteering workshop that leaned into winter, darkness, and learning something new. Hosted by the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council and led by Andrew Middleton of The Map Center, the event paired a 1.5-hour indoor-and-field workshop with an hour-long outdoor navigation adventure.
The focus was simple and practical. How to orient yourself off trail using real navigation tools. Participants learned core compass terms, how to establish and follow a straight line through the woods, and how to work with a baseplate compass and bevel, which is different from the everyday compasses many people are used to, alongside a topographic map. We practiced orienting a map, figuring out headings, and then putting it all into action.
At one point, the group set a bearing of 50 degrees and followed it for a quarter mile through the woods. The trick was choosing a point on the horizon and committing to it. The second half of the experience flipped the challenge and focused on finding your way back using the same tools and techniques.
For many, this was completely new territory. The group ranged from folks in their twenties to their sixties, with a mix of first timers and one participant with a background in Outward Bound. As dusk settled in and the temperature dropped, Andrew introduced celestial navigation. In a brief but memorable lesson, we learned how spotting Ursa Major, the Big Dipper, can lead you to the North Star.
The timing was intentional. It was dark. It was cold. And that made the learning stick. Andrew was our steady guide and, as more than one person said, our Polaris in the dark.
The feedback was clear. People want more. This kind of workshop hits a sweet spot. Practical skills, time outdoors, and a reminder that winter is a great season to learn something new.
Huge thanks to Andrew Middleton for conceiving and leading the workshop. Stay tuned. We will be bringing this one back.