Read the map before the walk
Find the scale, symbol key and coverage limits. Locate the starting point, the intended route and obvious junctions. A campground diagram may be useful for facilities but unsuitable for navigation beyond the site.
Understand the compass lesson
REI’s navigation guide covers compass parts, declination, map orientation and bearings. Magnetic north and map north are not automatically interchangeable. Learn the adjustment for your compass and location with the full instructions or a qualified instructor.
Save the camp location before you set off.
Use a familiar practice route
Choose a short place you already know with clear junctions. Before each junction, say what you expect to see, then compare the map with the ground. Turn around and note how the return view differs. This develops attention without relying on an unfamiliar setting for your first lesson.
Keep the skill and the equipment together
Bring a suitable map, protect it from weather and know how to operate the compass. Owning both items does not replace practice. If you cannot confidently match your position to the map, stop the planned activity and use a safe, appropriate way to resolve the uncertainty.
Sources & further reading
Read the original guidance for more detail. Product reviews and demonstrations belong to their publishers.