This 2.5 hour online course is part 1 of Navigation Sports' Introduction to Orienteering Mapping course. In it, you will learn what you need to know to set up your first mapping project to modern mapping standards.

This module is mix of learning about foundational topics and tutorial-style practice. You will learn about a variety of topics that will make your first project (and all future projects) better, easier, and more rewarding while assembling your first project! Topics include:

• Basic mapping concepts: Working with data, drawing maps, fieldwork, base map layers / templates, etc.
• Common orienteering mapping software; OCAD or Open Orienteering Mapper (OOM)*
• Georeferencing
• Declination
• Sourceing and using Open Data
• How to get aerial photos using SAS Planet

* Instances of this course will focus either on OCAD or OOM.

The Using Open Orienteering Mapper or Using OCAD, Introduction to Fieldwork, and Laying out Your Map modules will allow you to take the project you start in this course to completion. See our course catalogue for more.

Upcoming dates:
Thursday, November 20, 2025 | Zoom

This course takes place over four 3-hour sessions in the classroom. Each session covers a different aspect of drawing contours:

• Bezier curves – learn the elusive tricks of drawing smoothly curved contours in the shape you want
• Interpreting lidar base material – learn how to translate in your mind what you’re seeing on the screen to what the terrain will look like
• What contours show – learn how to draw contours that show a balanced representation of different terrain elements such as high and low points, relative elevation, steepness, and shapes
• Contours and the rest of the map – learn how to draw contours in harmony with other prominent features such as trails, lakes, and streams cliffs.

Upcoming classes: There are no scheduled classes. If you would like to request a class, email jeff@navigationsports.ca

Every mapper has struggled with a map that for some reason doesn't align properly. Your different layers of base data aren't anywhere close to each other or you've shown up to do your fieldwork but your gps is several km from where it should be. This 2.5 hr course has been specifically designed to give you the knowledge to avoid these issues or troubleshoot them when they do arise. In the course you will learn all about coordinate reference systems, the earths magnetic field, declination, grid convergence, and grivation, and more.

Upcoming classes: There are no scheduled classes. If you would like to request a class, email jeff@navigationsports.ca