Theme:

Strength, test physically arduous trip in the backcountry, with emphasis on map and compass work.

Program:

• Meeting outside Spicheren with the Norwegian Students
• Walk to Jegersberg
• Building groups for the orientation game
• Orientation game
• Award ceremony and way back to the University

Information of the Norwegian Students

International friends! Meet outside of Spicheren at 0915 tomorrow.

Checklist:

Food + something hot to drink

Some rope

Proper boots to keep your feet warm and dry 
Something to sit on 
An extra pair of dry socks 
Pencil and paper 
Map of Jegersberg (if you have it) 
Compass 
Something to keep your maps and paper dry

We’ll be on foot all day, so don’t put on too many layers, and bring something to keep you hydrated and your energy up.

The weather forecast says it’s going to be raining all day so your outfit should at least be water resistant/proof.

Activities:

We went to the “Øvre Jegersbergvann” close to a dam and were divided randomly into 4 groups to mix up the Norwegian and the international students. The groups were competing against each other in an orienteering game.

Each group had to reach four different places in the area around Jegersberg. At each point there was a task, which had to be done. Some questions about norwegian culture some physical tasks as well.  For example, “A member of your group broke his ankle, you have to bring him to the meeting point but he isn´t allowed to use one leg”.

After every task the group had to walk back to the main meeting point. There we were told where we had to go next.

Learning Outcome:

We improved our orientation skills especially the map reading

We learned different ways to build a fire (star, pyramid, parallel, tepee)

We learned the names of nocturnal animals in Norway (rabbit, deer, fox or hamster)

We got to learn some group dynamic processes. It was raining very hard so some of us become really wet and cold. Some went home because of their lack of motivation and some went home because they were too far out of their comfort zone.

Evaluation:

It was a really tough Monday trip. I was really wet and especially my hands were freezing. But the idea to make an orienteering competition was really nice. Even though it was raining we found out how well our gear really worked since we were in heavy rain for hours.

 

There were some things that I thought could have gone better in my opinion. For example, the group tried to mix up the Norwegian and international groups but in my group there was only one Norwegian and six international students. It become really boring that we always had to walk back to the same place we started at just to receive the new task. It would be more interesting to get the task at the place we completed the task. And the tasks where two member of the group were not allowed to use their legs was especially dangerous on the slippery roots.

All in all the idea of an orientation game was good and especially the conditions made it really challenging. In the end I was wet, I was freezing and I was glad to go home. But I was out of my comfort zone and that what is why I´m here.