Nonprofit Spotlight: Navigation Games
- Apr 15
- 2 min read
Navigation Games combines the fun of orienteering with outdoor education. Based in Cambridge, MA, the organization has offered programs and events to schools and communities since 2015, helping participants strengthen navigation abilities, essential life skills, and their connection to nature.
What They Do
Navigation Games partners with schools and youth programs to deliver map-based, outdoor education for students of all abilities. Its K-12 school programs integrate orienteering into PE and STEM curricula. Lesson plans and teacher training enable schools to run programs independently.
The organization also works with outdoor education providers, land stewards, and youth centers to add orienteering to existing programs. Tailored programming includes progressive fun, educational games and activities like capture-the-flag (with a map), Vampire-O, a game often held at night combining navigation with tag, as well as regular orienteering courses. Finally, the organization hosts community events throughout Greater Boston, including family-friendly sessions on the Boston Harbor Islands and neighborhood treasure hunts.
Navigation Games fosters a love of orienteering not only to promote health and wellness, but also to help students build the four Cs of critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication. Navigating through a space in a new way, students develop resilience and teamwork – ultimately building a fifth C: community.
Their Impact
Last year, Navigation Games provided 453 orienteering classes and events for more than 12,600 participants. The organization led workshops for educators in 14 states. Over 125 volunteers contributed nearly 3,500 hours of service. As it enters its eleventh year as a nonprofit, the organization looks forward to continuing to help youth experience the outdoors in a way that promotes self-confidence, life skills, physical and mental health, and deeper appreciation for the planet.
Learn more about Navigation Games at https://www.navigationgames.org.
Navigation Games is currently participating in NPN's Leadership Acceleration Program, engaging in a year of leadership growth and strategic partnership.
Comments