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John Owen Tucker, a member of Boy Scout Troop 202 in Locust, recently completed his required Eagle Scout project by installing an orienteering course at Locust City Park, and delivered a presentation on the project to Locust City Council at its Feb. 13 meeting.
Orienteering is an activity in which participants navigate an unfamiliar course using a map and compass to find checkpoints, and aim to complete the course in the fastest time. The exercise helps participants to develop and improve navigation skills through map and compass reading.
“The project is a 10-point orienteering course,” Tucker said, adding that the circuit is dedicated to Troop 202 Scoutmaster Richard Sides.
“In the past, we’ve had to go to his house to do orienteering exercises,” he noted. “He hosted a one-mile course at his property for Scouts to complete.”
Tucker expressed appreciation to the City of Locust for allowing the project to be done within its park, and for support provided by the Parks and Recreation Department.
“The course will be open to the public,” he said. “Compasses and laminated maps of the course will be available for check out from the park office.”
In his presentation, Tucker used sequential photos of the project to document its progress from start to finish, including GPS marks of all points, photos from a three-hour workday involving troop members and leaders, installation of point markers and subsequent marker caps and photos of the completed project map.
Those seeking additional information on the orienteering course may call Locust Parks and Recreation at 704-888-5260.

Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.