# Orient map with compass

Part of the Second Class guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/ranks/second-class/guide/index.md)

*3. Navigation*

> **3a.** Demonstrate how a compass works and how to orient a map. Use a map to point out and tell the meaning of five map symbols.

A map gives you a bird's-eye view of terrain, waterways, elevation, and trails. A compass tells you which direction you are facing relative to the Earth's magnetic field. By combining the two, you can navigate anywhere in the backcountry with confidence.

## Anatomy of a Baseplate Compass

A standard orienteering baseplate compass consists of several essential parts:

- **Baseplate**: The clear plastic plate you place flat on a map, featuring straight edges and rulers.
- **Direction-of-Travel Arrow**: The fixed arrow on the baseplate pointing forward, showing the path you will walk.
- **Rotating Compass Housing (Bezel)**: The circular dial marked with the 360 degrees of a circle and the cardinal points (**N**, **E**, **S**, **W**).
- **Magnetic Needle**: The freely spinning needle in the housing. The **red end points toward Magnetic North**.
- **Orienting Arrow ("The Shed")**: The red arrow outline fixed inside the base of the housing.
- **Orienting Lines**: The parallel lines inside the housing used to align with the north-south grid lines on a map.
- **Index Pointer / Line**: The small mark at the front of the housing where you read the numerical bearing.
- **Scales / Rulers**: Inch and millimeter markings, or fractional map scales (such as 1:24,000) for measuring ground distances.

![Baseplate compass viewed from above with the baseplate, rotating bezel, direction of travel arrow, magnetic needle, and orienting arrow labeled](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-1376/su-assets/scouts-bsa/ranks/second-class/guide/compass-parts-labeled?v=b3fa3bc3)

## How to Orient a Map Using a Compass

Orienting a map means aligning the north on the map with actual North on the ground. Once oriented, every feature on your map aligns directly with the physical world around you.

1. **Find True North on the Map**: Look for the north arrow or the vertical grid lines on the map.
2. **Set the Compass to North**: Rotate the compass housing dial until **0° / 360° (N)** aligns with the index pointer.
3. **Position Compass on the Map**: Lay the map on level ground. Place the compass on the map so that its long edge runs parallel to a north-south line (or the map's side border), with the direction-of-travel arrow pointing toward the top of the map.
4. **Account for Magnetic Declination**:
   - The Earth's magnetic north pole differs slightly from True (geographic) North.
   - Check the **declination diagram** at the bottom margin of your USGS map. If declination is 10° East, adjust your bezel or align with the magnetic north line.
5. **Rotate Map and Compass Together**: Turn the map and compass together until the red magnetic needle rests snugly inside the red orienting arrow outline (**"Red in the Shed"**).
6. **Verify Terrain**: Look up. If the map shows a mountain peak to your northwest, that peak will be directly northwest in the real landscape.

## Identifying Topographic Map Symbols

United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps use standardized colors and symbols to represent landforms, water, and human structures:

| Color / Symbol | What It Represents | Examples & Field Meaning |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Brown (Contour Lines)** | Elevation and Land Shape | Lines connecting points of equal elevation. Lines close together indicate **steep cliffs/slopes**; lines far apart indicate **gentle slopes or flat plains**. "V"-shaped contours pointing uphill indicate a stream valley or ravine. |
| **Blue (Water Features)** | Water and Wetlands | Solid blue indicates perennial lakes, ponds, and rivers; dashed blue lines indicate **intermittent streams** (dry part of the year); blue with grass tufts indicates **marshes and swamps**. |
| **Green (Vegetation)** | Tree Cover & Woodlands | Heavy green shading indicates forests, woods, and orchards. White areas represent open meadows, clearings, or bare rock. |
| **Black (Manmade Features)** | Cultural & Survey Marks | Black dashed lines indicate **hiking trails**; solid/parallel lines indicate roads and railroads; small black squares indicate **buildings**; a cross represents a church, and a flag indicates a school; "BM" marks an elevation **benchmark**. |
| **Red / Pink (Urban & Roads)** | Built-Up Areas & Highways | Red lines mark primary highways and major roads; pink shading indicates densely populated cities and urban areas. |

> **Tip**
>
> Keep your compass away from metal belt buckles, iron tent stakes, watches, and cell phones when taking a bearing. Ferrous metals and electronics deflect the magnetic needle and cause significant navigational errors.

> **Tip**
>
> Remember the classic compass rhyme: **"Put Red in the Shed, and follow the Direction of Travel head!"**

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