Camp Miakonda Orienteering Trail
Read before beginning course
The Camp Miakonda orienteering trail was set up to meet the Scouts BSA First Class requirement #4a (13th edition).
Please be aware of the following:
- Scouts should have a good understanding of how to take and walk bearings with a compass.
- The buddy system should be used at all times.
- The trail is meant for daylight use only.
- Scouts should let their adult leaders and/or Camp Host/ Ranger know that they are going on the trail and note the start time. The course should take approximately 1 hour to complete.
- The paces shown on the sheet are approximate and should be adjusted to the person walking the trail. Each pace consists of two steps, i.e. left/right, left/right equals 2 paces. (see How Do You Measure Your Pace? below).
- Bearings are also subject to the person sighting the compass, the type and accuracy of the compass, and where the person is standing in relation to the existing marker. An orienteering compass with a base plate is suggested.
- Upon arriving at the proposed marker location, one must observe that the marker may not be exactly at that spot. Look around the general area for the marker. (see previous notes).
- Markers are 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" wooden stakes with a red and white diagonal painted on them. The marker's designation is noted on the top of the stake.
- There may be downed tree branches you will need to go around. Adjust your path to maintain original bearing.
This course was set up by Rodger Phillips and Tom Hill of Troop 123 in the Commodore Perry District. Any discrepancies or missing markers should be reported to the Ranger. This course was revised in September 2023 due to construction projects around the property.
How do you measure your pace?
In order to figure out what your pace is, go to the pace markers painted on the paved road across from Miakonda Lodge/ Royal Flush. Looking North there is a marker in front of Miakonda Lodge, marked every 25 feet until the 100’ mark down the road near the Royal Flush sidewalk.
Starting with your left foot walk in a normal pace between the markers. Every time your right foot touches, you have taken one pace. Note the number of paces you take. Now divide the number of paces into 100’. This will give you your average pace.
For example, if you take 40 paces to go between markers, you divide 40 into 100’ and your pace would be 2 ½ feet. Use this as an average when you walk the course. Walking off a trail, through or around trees and over logs will cause your pace to vary. Keep this in mind when you are walking the course.