top of page

SCHOOLS/Youth Groups

Team Navigation!™

Unique Youth Teambuilding

  • 5th Grade and up

  • Entire school grade participates

  • Summer/Day Camps, Church Groups, etc

  • Small teams

  • Problem-solving, team roles

  • Students learn by doing

  • 2 days in-school training

  • Field Trip to Eagle Creek Park

  • Students teach chaperones

Click On Video

School Group

Participating in a

TrueNorth Team Navigation!™

School Program..!!

...School Program Format

School Program Format

  • Minimum age:  5th grade (entire grade levels can participate)

  • Week-long program, taught & facilitated by Jeff Coates

  • Mon: Inside School (Facilitated by J.Coates)

  • Tues: Outside School (Facilitated by J.Coates)

  • Wed: Field Trip Map Prep by Students(Facilitated by Teachers)

  • Thurs: Field Trip To Eagle Creek Park (Facilitated by J.Coates)

  • Fri:  Wrap-up & Evaluation (Facilitated by Teachers)

  • Teams of 3-4 students/team navigate with map & compass

  • Students collaborate to locate checkpoints using map

  • Students learn how to use map & compass together

  • Students prepare maps for Field Trip

  • Problem-solving, decision-making, rotating team roles

  • Field trip to Eagle Creek Park

  • Students teach chaperones how to navigate on field trip

  • Puzzles, surprises, treasure chests, and awards!

...TrueNorth Youth Philosophy

TrueNorth Youth Philosophy

  • Learning can be fun!

  • Valuable learning can take place in small groups/teams

  • Minimize "talking head" lecture, maximize learn-by-doing!

  • Inquiry methodology with scaffolding facilitation

  • Allow mistakes/self-discovery

  • Facilitate as "Guide on Side, not Sage on Stage"

  • "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime"

  • "Tell me, I may forget...Show me, I might remember....Let me do it, I'll understand"

  • Youth can learn/achieve, if given the opportunity and responsibility

  • Learning takes place in groups when asked to problem-solve

  • Get up & move physically whenever possible

  • Challenge 4 out of 5 senses!

  • Be prepared, organized, and offer lots of surprises!

  • Take pictures, and celebrate accomplishments afterwards!

...Summer Youth Program Format

Summer Youth Group Format

  • Minimum age:  5th grade

  • Summer day camps, church groups, etc

  • 1/2 day, or 3 day program

  • 1/2 day program is field trip to Eagle Creek Park

  • 3 day program custom designed, similar to school program

  • Teams of 3-4 students/team navigate with map & compass

  • 2 days of facilitated instruction/practice in/outside school

  • Students collaborate to locate checkpoints using map

  • Students learn how to use map & compass together

  • Students prepare maps for Field Trip

  • Problem-solving, decision-making, rotating team roles

  • Field trip to Eagle Creek Park

  • Students teach chaperones how to navigate on field trip

  • Puzzles, surprises, treasure chests, and awards!

...TrueNorth Model

Written Contract

  • We meet in person to discuss teambuilding goals

  • Identify any special needs students

  • Written contract identifies what teachers can expect from us

  • Also identifies what school needs to provide

 

Fun, Safe Activity

  • No minimum fitness level required

  • No previous background in navigation or maps needed

  • Walking in groups is the physical activity

  • Safety precautions will be outlined

  • Clothing and footwear suggestions will be identified

 

Challenge By Choice

  • Teacher input/approval into format

  • We create climate of engagement, inclusiveness, participation

  • We gently challenge comfort zones, but not panic zones

  • Alternative activiites or roles are availale for special needs

  • Student choice, decision-making, determine outcomes

 

Evaluation

  • We believe in feedback and evaluation

  • Written evaluations provided to students, chaperones, teachers

  • Suggestions/feedback welcome!

 

 

 

 

...Evaluation/Testimonials

Evaluation/Testimonials

We believe in the value of reflection and feeback, and provide a written evaluation form for each student, chaperone and teacher.  Here are some example testimonials:

 

"I just wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how wonderful your program is!  Our students, staff and chaperones thought the experience was fantastic!  I have enclosed the evaluations we received back, and some other odds and ends.  We can't thank you enough!  What a gret experience for us & our students.  Thank you so much for introducing us to the sport of orienteering."...Teacher

 

"Thank you for coming to our school and setting all of it up.  And thank you for setting up eagle creek.  I bet it took a realliy long time to set all of those up.  I enjoyed the experience almost all of it, except that everything was wet.  we had a nice time.  You rock!"....Student

 

"I saw students who usually don't lead become leaders (naturally) when placed in the woods!  You could see the students' confidence build throughout the entire process!  I learned that I had to trust the process, & let the students lead me through the woods!"...Chaperone

 

"Thanks so much for continuing to check on the parent that we were worried about.  The positive feedback you gave her, I think, went a long way.".....Teacher

 

"The best part was the physical activity, organization, the forcing of kids to think for themselves."....Chaperone

 

"The best part was Mr. Coates walking around & helping when needed."....Chaperone

 

"One girl had never been in the woods before.  She was fascinated with everything."....Chaperone

 

"Love the outdoor experience.  Kids need this!"...Chaperone

 

"Very interactive and nature oriented!"...Chaperone

 

"Felt safe which makes room for fun!"...Chaperone

 

bottom of page