Surveying and drawing schools and other small areas A presentation compiled by Alan Goodall of “O-Look Map Services” Mapping school sites Surveying and drawing schools and other small areas

What sort of people take part in orienteering? Serious athletes Recreational participants Runners, joggers and walkers Disabled people Individuals or pairs Families Children and school groups Adults Veterans

It’s a running sport – but it helps if you can read the map too!

Orienteers use special maps They are detailed and made to an international standard

Extract from the Trentham Gardens map

Six aspects of this subject Why make a School site map? Preparing to make a map Simple surveying Drawing and finishing maps Printing or photocopying Using the map as part of a progression in learning to orienteer

1. Why map the school site ? It can allow an outdoor activity ON SITE It should be a safe venue for orienteering beginners It saves travelling time within the school timetable It can allow instruction, practice & simple competition It can allow progress to harder maps of other areas Can be a stepping stone to involvement with an O-Club The map may be multi-use in Geography, Maths etc

All Hallows High School o-map in Salford

PART 2 PREPARING to make a map

Before starting a new map Find out what the map is likely to be used for Check how many paces you take in 100 metres Get permission to use and map the area Decide what the title of the map should be Obtain a suitable large scale “base map” or site plan Find out if there are Copyright restrictions on the use of the base map

Preparing a base map Enlarge to a convenient size for surveying – A4? Do not cut off the surrounding premises yet Use them as reference points when surveying Turn the base map so Magnetic North is at the top Find out what scale it is at by measuring or pacing You may need to enlarge or reduce the final scale

Deciding what goes on the map Explore the area and make a list of possible features Compare that list with features on a “real” O-map Decide what to include and what to leave off Decide what symbols to use in surveying Decide what symbols to use on the final map How far can the symbols be real O-map symbols? Is the map to be in colour or black and white?

General principles All maps have to be generalised to some extent Don’t be afraid to miss things off Do not make the map over-detailed Across the map be consistent in what you show A map is mainly about SHAPES and POSITIONS So don’t put too much writing on it

How is a map like a crocodile?!!

…..They both have SCALES!!!

PART 3 SURVEYING for a school map

Surveying – Look carefully and Draw as you go round the site Draw extra detail onto the base map by eye Delete features that have been demolished To fix positions look for things that “line up” See what comes half way along something else….

When surveying…. Look for clear “features” and possible “controls”... Things that will be clear to see both on the map And on the ground Look for shapes And sizes And positions

Fixing position and direction Work mostly “by eye” When necessary your compass can indicate direction Count double paces if you need to estimate distance If measuring is essential try a “click wheel” or tape Keep your drawing board orientated as you work Check that you have not missed features off the map

PART 4 DRAWING the map

Drawing the map – Scan your survey drawing and use a computer programme (preferably OCAD) for the cartography

Finishing the map properly with the customary marginal information: add - Title Scale bar Key or “legend” Date of survey Names of map-makers The base map used A North Arrow Possibly a border and a “control card” Try for a “professional” look and a balanced design

PART 5 Printing or photocopying

Reproducing the map Small print runs can be printed economically by laser colour printing This produces better results than colour copying It is better than an inkjet print which runs in the rain Colour maps may need laminating for repeated use Black and white photocopying is a cheap way to print It requires sharp, clear, simple maps for good copies to be made Photocopiers must be kept clean and the map be put in straight or poor maps will come out

Using the map as part of a progression

Think about using the map What map games and simple orienteering courses could take place on your map? Where would you site the controls? How would you circle them onto the map? What sort of control markers would be used? Would you use any “build-up” games before introducing the map?

How might this sport be introduced? On a plan of a room, hall or gym On a model landscape On a map of a sports pitch or playground On a map of a School or Centre It is IMPORTANT TO GO FOR A WALK WITH A MAP – maybe as a group – and to explain what we see

What is the first skill in orienteering What is the first skill in orienteering? Getting the map the right way round!

Will your mapping support the development of Navigational Skills? - Where am I? Where’s that on the map? Where should I go next? What can I follow to get there? How will I know when I have gone far enough?

A marker post for a “permanent course”