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Do you know how to use a compass? I learned only because I didn't want to get so lost that I couldn't figure my way out. I also read maps. I am not so good at reading stars though, but the compass will help you with directions. It's not so hard to read a compass once you get the hang of it.
The cool thing about a compass is that, well, for one thing, it will usually fit in your pocket. It is a miniaturized GPS system in the basic sense. A compass will tell you where north is and from that point, you can figure out south, east and west. I know what you're thinking, I have a cell phone that does more than that! Well, your cell phone
may not work in the woods; also the battery may run out. A compass never stops working.
The way a compass works is you have to picture the earth as a really big magnet. The main pull of the magnet is from the North Pole. Yes, I know this is where Santa lives and maybe that's why the North Pole has so much magnetism. Your compass has a needle in it which is a smaller magnet than the North Pole. The end of the magnet needle is being pulled by North Pole magnet and that is why it is pointing north. This way you will always know which direction you are going and can then figure out the other directions. On a compass, if you point the needle in the North direction, then you will know that South is behind you, East is to your right and West will be on your left. It helps to know what landmark might be in what direction so you can head that way if you do get lost. You can practice using a compass in your own backyard or neighorhood.
You can be anywhere, on land, in the water, in the woods, and you will always get good reception with your compass. That can't be said for your cell phone, no matter what carrier you have.
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