Compass Crisp

Name and Purpose

Compass Crisp combines orienteering skills with a real-world reward: food made together over a fire.
Players build navigation confidence, teamwork, and respect for outdoor cooking safety.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 16+ (Young Adults/Staff) | 9-20 players in teams of 3 + 1 adult each | 60-90 minutes | Outdoor area with clear compass lines of travel

Materials

One compass per team
Bearing instruction sheet (unique route per team)
Matches or lighter (held by supervising adult only; never left unattended at waypoint)
Grill or camp stove
Frying pan, cutlery, bowls
Apple crisp ingredients: apples, oats, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon
First aid kit at base camp
Whistle for emergency recall

Quick-Run Card

Brief teams on compass use and fire-safety rules before leaving base.
Each team follows their unique bearing route to locate three waypoints.
Waypoint 1: matches (adult-held). Waypoint 2: grill. Waypoint 3: pan and ingredients.
Teams prepare and cook apple crisp with adult supervision at all times.
Share the results at base; debrief navigation and teamwork.

Setup and Boundaries

Pre-place grill (Waypoint 2) and pan/ingredients (Waypoint 3) before participants arrive
Matches stay with the supervising adult (Waypoint 1), never left alone
Signal: whistle blast = return to base immediately
Check all waypoints for uneven ground, overhanging hazards, and wind direction near fire

How to Play

Brief the full group on compass reading: declination, bearings, and how to walk a straight line.
Divide into teams of 3 players + 1 supervising adult each.
Each team receives their unique bearing sheet and sets off to find Waypoint 1 (matches, adult-held).
From Waypoint 1, teams navigate to Waypoint 2 (grill) and then Waypoint 3 (pan and ingredients).
At Waypoint 3, teams prepare apple crisp and cook it on the grill under adult supervision.
All teams return to base, share their crisp, and compare routes.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Navigate, take compass bearings, lead the team between waypoints
S (Support): Record bearings, manage ingredients, assist with cooking
Q (Quiet): Double-check calculations and map reading from within the group
O (Observer): At any waypoint, step back and observe the cooking or navigation process; rejoin when ready

Inclusion Adaptations

Teams can assign a dedicated navigator and a dedicated cook so participation is flexible
For players with mobility needs, the cooking station can be relocated to a flat, accessible surface

Stewardship Moment

Fire safety is stewardship: discuss Leave No Trace fire practices and why contained cooking matters
Use reusable bowls and cutlery; wash and pack out all materials. No disposable items.

Consent

Pre-brief: “This activity involves open flame and cooking. For those not comfortable working near fire, supporting the navigation or ingredient-prep roles are equally important parts of the team.”
Mid-activity check: at Waypoint 2, pause and check in with each team member before lighting
Opt-out/re-entry: any player can step back from the fire and help with prep; re-join cooking when ready

Risks and Mitigation

Open flame: supervising adult manages ignition; no participant touches matches or lighter
Burns from grill or pan: adult demonstrates technique; hot handles identified before cooking
Groups getting lost: whistle recall signal briefed before start; supervising adult carries a map
Uneven terrain between waypoints: walk-pace travel; adults sweep at rear

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Compass Rose”: stand in a circle, call a bearing, everyone points in that direction
“Blind Walk”: in pairs, one player closes eyes and follows verbal compass directions for 10 steps

Debrief Questions

What? “Which bearing was hardest to follow accurately, and what made it tricky?”
So What? “How did your team divide the work to stay on track?”
Now What? “What would you do differently next time to navigate more confidently?”

Cleanup and Reset