[ KIDS CORNER ]
Kids Rock!
[ EVOLUTION ]
Of Navigation 3500 B.C
Celestial Navigation The angle of the North Star above the horizon is the same as the latitudinal location.
c. 13th century
Mariner’s Compass The compass needle points to magnetic north but the difference between magnetic and true left early mariners wandering.
1730 From dropping over the edge of a crib to shimmying up a backyard oak, most kids have at least some experience with parent-scaring climbs. “Kids are natural climbers,” says Robyn Erbesfield-Raboutou, a four-time World Cup champion climber who runs a youngster-specific climbing and bouldering program, ABC for Kids. “Anytime you put your hands and feet on a wall, it’s cross-brain movement and training, and that helps kids develop.”
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When it comes to kids and climbing, basic instruction is key, says Robyn, but most local climbing gyms offer family or discounted child memberships and summer or after-school programs for kids as young as 3. Competitive climbing teams offer a social sport alternative for kids who aren’t interested in soccer or scouting. Even if you’re not a climber, don’t let mind-boggling heights or a fear of gear failure ground pint-sized talent. Check out these resources for getting kids into climbing: •
Extreme Kids by Scott Graham (Wilderness Press, 2006; $17) makes suggestions for connecting kids to adventure activities based on their ages, your location, your comfort level, and their interests and needs.
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Fun Climbs Colorado by Sibylle Hechtel (Sharp End Publishing, 2008; $22) highlights climbing routes, logistical details, and even non-climbing activities in nine of Colorado’s most kid-friendly climbing destinations. Won’t feel comfortable without cell phone service? Hope to avoid poison ivy–packed base areas? This book has all the info you’ll need to feel comfortable taking your kids someplace new.
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Sextant More accurately determines latitude by measuring the angle of the sun and stars above the horizon.
1764
Seagoing chronometer British clockmaker John Harrison invented this time keeping device that standardized navigational measurements.
1935
Radar Bouncing radio waves off out-of-sight objects to determine their distance, altitude, speed and direction revoutionized navigation pre WWII.
1973
GPS Super accurate space-based radionavigation system uses 24 satellites to triangulate 2 and 3-dimensional positions on earth.
One hour: Rehydrating from morning run. Half day: Dogs got skunked. All day: Swine flu relapse
WAM OAUGUST’2009”
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