POINTMAN S CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Transcription

1 Using triangulation, Using an altimeter, Estimating distances and hiking times accurately. 11. With your Squad Leader you have organized a mountain climb: You show why you have chosen that particular itinerary (you have drawn the itinerary s elevation profile to make sure that the itinerary is adapted to all your squad mates, you show the points of interest ), You have foreseen and organized all appropriate safety measures (itinerary restricted to the Staff, break locations, lunch and evening camp locations, eventual cabin, eventual escape and/or rescue route ) You follow and make others follow the mountain hike rules: speed, breaks, back up, individual and company discipline (respect of nature, no stone throwing, no short cutting ) + PAX POINTMAN S CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 12. You have opened the trail in randonnée, cross-country, backcountry skis or snowshoes during 2 outings: 13. You choose 1 amongst the 2 following options: a. You have joined in a summer or winter trail marking bee. b. You have set up a snow orienteering course (skis or snowshoes). CATHOLIC CADETS OF AMERICA (16)

2 1. Navigation Certifications: Squad pointmen may prepare and pass either the Scout or Orienteer certification; Afterwards, they may deepen their navigational skills by preparing and passing the following certifications: Topographer, Geocacher, Mountain Navigator and Surveyor. In this booklet you will find the requirements for all these certifications, except for that of Surveyor. 1. Compass: Theory: REQUIREMENTS COMMON TO ALL NAVIGATION CERTIFICATIONS. You know and are capable of explaining how a compass works and what the features of an orienteering compass (baseplate compass, like a Silva compass) are. You know the different angle measurement systems (degrees, mills, grades), and how to convert them. Practice: In the field, you know how to take a compass bearing and follow it. (2) trails: E.g. using, in your Squad s Base of Operations, a wall map or a 3D map of your region, with pins, markers 8. You know how mountain vegetation changes with altitude: foothills (deciduous forest or grasslands), montane from the midaltitude forests to the tree line (conifers), subalpine zone and alpine zone (closed carpet of vegetation that includes alpine meadows, shrubs and sporadic dwarfed trees), Snow zone. 9. You know precisely the meaning of several mountain features: aiguille, arête, bergschrund, butte, cairn, cirque, col, cornice, couloir, crag, crevasse, dihedral, dome, gendarme, glacier, gully, headwall, highpoint, horn, inselberg, knob, knoll, ledge, massif, moat, moraine, mesa, needle, pass, peak, penitentes, plateau, range, saddle, scree, serac, shoulder, snow line, spire, spur, summit, sun cup, talus, tree line, verglas 10. You have proved that you master map reading: You know very well the map signs. You read and identify altitudes on a map properly. Then, in the field you have proved that you are capable of verifying your itinerary: Using all the clues given by the map (distances, hydrography, vegetation, contour lines ), Using the trail marks on the actual trails, (15)

3 NOTE: To fulfil this requirement, you will need to set up a free user account with Before doing so, ask your parent for permission. If you do not have your parents permission, then you are dispensed from this requirement. 14. You have set up and hidden a public geocache, following proper geocaching technique and etiquette. However, before doing so, you have briefed your CO and given him a sixmonth maintenance plan for the geocache where you are personally responsible for the first three months. After setting up the geocache, with your parent's permission, follow the logs online for 30 days and keep your CO informed. 15. You organized a geohunt for a youth group such as your platoon, your squad, friends : You chose a theme, set up a course with at least four waypoints, taught the players how to use a GPS unit, and play the game. MOUNTAIN NAVIGATOR S CERTIFICATION: NB. You must first fulfil requirements 1 to 6 common to all Navigation certifications (pages 2 to 4). 7. You know and have made others also know your region s main summits, main mountain trails, and main back country ski (14) 2. Map: You fulfil ALL the following conditions: You know the basics of Topography: Longitudes and Latitudes, geographical coordinates (UTM, MGRS and USNG), projections (cylindrical, Conic, UTM and UPS), terrain features. You know the most common scales used by modern maps, both imperial (1:24,000, 1:62,500, 1:63,360) and metric (1:25,000, 1: 100,000, 1:150,000, 1:250,000), and you are capable of understanding them; you also know how to use aerial photos. You know the map symbols and teach them to your squad s Novices. You know the meaning of topographical maps marginal notes and symbols (GN & MN, UTM or Long/Lat Coordinate grids and numbers, scale ) You know the different methods used by maps to represent terrain altitude (contour lines, shades, bench marks). You are capable of identifying a gentle slope, a steep slope, a cliff, a gully or couloir, a ridge, a summit, a cirque or bowl, a saddle, pass or col. You are capable of determining the altitude of a point on the map. (3)

4 You know the meaning of magnetic declination, and why you must consider declination when using map and compass together. You know how to measure distances on a map using a compass. You know how to orient a map using a compass. You are capable of identifying your position on a map, of calculating its coordinates in DMS, Decimal Minutes, Decimal Degrees, UTM, and MGRS (or USNG), and of identifying the main features of the surrounding landscape. 3. You have set up a 100-meter pace course. You have determined your walking and running pace for 100 metres. You know why it is important to pace-count. 4. You can orient yourself in the field (or aboard) with a wristwatch, a compass, a map; and at night you are capable of finding the Polar Star immediately. 5. You have led your squad with a compass, by day and by night, on an off-trail itinerary at least 3 km (2 miles) long and on varied terrain conditions (forest, hills, bush, meadow ). 6. You know what a GPS is, how it works, and how to use one. You know the UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) system, and the MGRS (Military Grid Reference System) or the USNG (United Stated National Grid), and how they differ from the latitude/longitude system used for public geocaches. You know how to plot a UTM, and a MGRS or USNG waypoint on a map. Compare the accuracy to that found with a GPS unit. 10. You are capable of properly planning an activity that uses a GPS, including using the buddy system, sharing your plan with others, and considering the weather, route, and proper attire. 11. You know how to use proper geocaching etiquette when hiding or seeking a cache, how to properly hide, post, maintain, and dismantle a geocache, and why you should never bury a cache, 12. You know the four steps for finding your first cache. 13. With your parent's permission, you went to (or any other geocaching website) on line, typed in your zip code to locate public geocaches in your area, then picked a geocache and found the cache. (4) (13)

5 9. You are capable of triangulating your position and indicating it on the map. 10. You know what a GPS is, how it works, and how to use one. GEOCAHER S CERTIFICATION: NB. You must first fulfil requirements 1 to 6 common to all Navigation certifications (pages 2 to 4). 7. You know the following terms used in geocaching: waypoint, log, cache, accuracy, difficulty and terrain ratings, attributes, trackable, and 5 other terms. 8. GPS: You know how the Global Positioning System (GPS) works, and how to use a GPS receiver. You have actually used one during a hike or another activity, and you have marked and edited at least 10 waypoints, changed once field functions, and changed once the coordinate system in the unit. 9. Map/Compass Navigation: You have acquired the following skills: You know the similarities and differences between GPS navigation and standard map-reading skills and the benefits of each. (12) SCOUT S (= Raider s) CERTIFICATION: NB. You must first fulfil requirements 1 to 6, common to all Navigation certifications (pages 2 to 4). 7. You possess you own Scouting (=raid) gear, which includes: A minimalist day-type pack (e.g. the Marine Corps ILBE Assault Pack), a map case (which can accommodate a couple of maps and a compass), a good compass (Magnetic Declination Adjustment screw 2 increments mirror 1:24,000 and 1:25,000 scales at least, both inches and cm rulers, for use with inch and cm maps), an IFAK (individual First Aid Kit), a 10ish metres (30 ft) lasso or rope (not cord), a couple of tin-foil sheets, a water bottle, a notebook and a pencil, a New Testament, your pocket knife or dagger, a small Survival Kit (matches kept in a waterproof container, tinder like cotton balls in flammable substance, fire starter rod and striker, plastic bags like Ziplocs as water containers, water purification tablets, Fishing hooks and line, thin wire for trapping, signalling mirror, emergency USCG approved whistle, survival blanket, a compact multi-tool, a couple of safety pins and nails, Duct tape). Your Scouting clothes are your CFU or CDU (with changes only according to the weather). (5)

6 8. You have achieved the following Scouting Expedition (=raid): You have walked 2/3 of the day and 1/3 of the night and done about 15 kms (about 10 miles): the actual itinerary and azimuths were chosen by the Staff to provide you with an opportunity for practicing navigation techniques, physical effort, perseverance and decision making. You have cooked your own meal, including your own bread, without utensils and pots/pans, according to the Cadet Trapper s method. You have set up your own shelter and slept in it. You have made and written down a meditation, on a topic chosen by the COH. ORIENTEER S CERTIFICATION: NB. You must first fulfil requirements 1 to 6, common to all Navigation certifications (pages 2 to 4). 7. Compass: You know what an Orienteering compass (baseplate compass like the Silva compass) is and what its special features are, and you know how to use one (measure distances on a map, and take and follow a bearing in the field). 8. Map: You know how to measure distances on a map using an orienteering compass. You choose 1 amongst the following 3 options: a. Before a hike, you have sketched down the elevation profile of the hike, b. Or, in order to prepare an Optical Relay, you have sketched down the elevation profile between 2 Relay Stations,; c. Or, when choosing the site for a Cadet Camp, you determine the site s hidden and visible features as well as the possible routes for a long distance Optical Relay and where a Panoramic Sketch can be done. You choose 1 amongst the following 2 options: You have made a map of the site for a Cadet Camp (Area: 500 m by 500 m scale: 1:2,000): on your map you not only indicated the usual land features (contour lines, watercourses ) but you also added the following details: squad basecamps, Assembly area with the mast for the colours, platoon campfire area ; you added a couple of panoramic sketches of the area to help your Platoon Staff get a better idea of the campsite and its surroundings. You have made a 3D mini-model of a particular place. 8. You are capable of calculating the angle of a slope. (6) (11)

7 ers, ruler (with inches and cms), good Sylva compass, several different scales protractors, eraser, a basic curvimeter, and one or more grids to draw panoramic sketches. 7. Maps: You have some notions on how a map is made (geodesic, topographical and cartographic stages), You know the most common scales used by modern maps, both imperial (1:24,000, 1:62,500, 1:63,360) and metric (1:25,000, 1: 100,000, 1:150,000, 1:250,000), and you are capable of understanding them; you also know how to use aerial photos. You know the map symbols and teach them to your squad s Novices. You know the meaning of topographical maps marginal notes and symbols (GN & MN, UTM or Long/Lat Coordinate grids and numbers, scale ) You know the different methods used by maps to represent terrain altitude (contour lines, shades, bench marks). You are capable of identifying a gentle slope, a steep slope, a cliff, a gully or couloir, a ridge, a summit, a cirque or bowl, a saddle, pass or col You are capable of determining the altitude of a point on the map. (10) 9. Pace Count: You have set up a 100-meter pace course. You have determined your walking pace (both with and without your full backpack) and running pace for 100 metres. You know why it is important to pace-count. 10. Orienteering Principles: You know the international control description symbols, and on any orienteering map you can identify and understand the meaning of 20 of them. You know what a control description sheet is and are capable of explaining the information provided. You know and are capable of explaining the following terms and telling when you would use them: attack point, collecting feature, catching feature, aiming off, contouring, reading ahead, handrail, relocation, rough versus fine orienteering. 11. Orienteering Experience: You have taken part in three orienteering events (one of these must be a cross-country course). After each event, you have written a report with (1) a copy of the master map and control description sheet, (2) a copy of the route you took on the course, (3) a discussion of how you could improve your time between control (7)

8 points, and (4) a list of your major weaknesses on this course and how you could improve yourself. You have shown your report to your PL or CO. You choose 2 amongst the following 3 options: a.for your squad/crew, or platoon, you set up a cross-country course that was at least 2,000 meters long with at least 5 control markers; and you prepared the master map and control description sheet. b.for your squad/crew, or platoon, you set up a score orienteering course with at least 12 control points and a time limit of at least 60 minutes. You set point values for each control, and prepared the master map and control description sheet. c.you acted as an official during an orienteering event. This may have been during the running of the course you set up. 12. You have initiated your squad/crew, or platoon, to orienteering. (8) TOPOGRAPHER S CERTIFICATION: NB. You are dispensed from passing requirements 1-6 (pages 2 to 4) prerequisite to other Navigation related certifications. You are bound to pass the following requirements only: 1. You know the basics of Topography: Longitudes and Latitudes, geographical coordinates (UTM, MGRS and USNG), projections (cylindrical, Conic, UTM and UPS), terrain features. 2. You have devised your own distance and angle measuring methods (pace count, palm extended before your eyes ). 3. You are capable of estimating distances and lengths, taking into account weather, light and terrain conditions which distort distance perception. You know the distance estimation table and use it for your calculations. 4. You have built your own (basic) stadia, and you use it regularly. 5. You know the dimensions of some current items (standard window, standard story, standard house, standard telephone pole, standard distance between telephone poles, truck, average oak, average palm tree ). 6. You have your own complete topographic kit (in its case): map case, notebooks, several maps (laminated whenever possible, for both protection and marking), pencils, pens, mark- (9)