Land Navigation Class in Kentucky | Sept. 19–20, 2026

Learn Land Navigation in Kentucky: Two-Day Map & Compass Workshop

When was the last time you had to find your way without relying on your phone?

GPS technology has made navigation easier than ever, but batteries die, phones break, signals disappear, and technology doesn't replace the value of knowing how to read the land around you.

On September 19–20, 2026, Kentucky Sustainable Living is hosting a two-day Introduction to Land Navigation workshop at Barren River Lake State Park in Lucas, Kentucky, taught by retired Green Beret Mike Adkins.

This hands-on land navigation class is designed to introduce participants to the practical skills needed to navigate using a topographic map and compass.

Whether you're interested in preparedness, hiking, hunting, homesteading, outdoor recreation, or simply becoming more self-reliant, this workshop gives you an opportunity to learn a skill that technology can't replace.

Land Navigation Is Still a Skill Worth Knowing

Most of us carry GPS navigation everywhere we go.

That's convenient...until it isn't available.

Knowing how to understand a map, determine direction, measure distance, plot coordinates, and plan a route gives you another layer of capability when you're outdoors.

For those interested in preparedness, it's especially valuable.

Preparedness isn't about living in fear of everything that could go wrong. It's about developing useful skills, making wise preparations, and being willing to learn before those skills are needed.

Land navigation is one of those practical skills that is better learned and practiced before you ever find yourself needing it.

What Is Land Navigation?

Land navigation is the process of determining your location and traveling from one point to another using the terrain, maps, direction, distance, and navigation tools.

During this introductory course, participants will learn how to work with a topographical map and orienteering compass and then put those skills into practice in the field.

This isn't a GPS class.

It's about learning the fundamentals behind navigation so you better understand where you are, where you need to go, and how to get there.

What You'll Learn During the Two-Day Workshop

Over two full days, Mike will introduce participants to the building blocks of land navigation, including:

• Introduction to map reading and the topographical map

• Understanding and utilizing marginal data

• Magnetic declination and how to utilize it

• Using a mapping protractor

• Plotting coordinates with MGRS/NGS

• Basic introduction to the military lensatic compass

• How to use an orienteering compass

• Understanding pace count and distance measurement

• Route planning

• Practical application in the field

• Resources for continuing your land navigation education

The course includes both instruction and practical field application, giving participants an opportunity to work with the concepts instead of simply hearing about them in a classroom.

Who Is Teaching the Land Navigation Class?

The workshop will be taught by retired Green Beret Mike Adkins.

Rather than trying to piece together land navigation skills from videos and articles alone, participants will have two days of direct instruction where they can learn the fundamentals, ask questions, and practice what they're learning.

The goal isn't to turn someone into an expert navigator in a weekend.

It's to build a solid foundation that participants can continue practicing and developing long after the workshop ends.

What This Course Does NOT Cover

It's just as important to know what you're signing up for.

This introductory land navigation course will not teach:

• GPS navigation

• UTM plotting (Universal Transverse Mercator)

• Military tactics

• How to make sourdough bread

Yes, we're serious about the first three.

We'll leave the sourdough for another day.

Land Navigation Workshop Details

Dates: September 19–20, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM each day
Location: Barren River Lake State Park | Lucas, Kentucky
Instructor: Retired Green Beret Mike Adkins
Cost: $450 per participant
Class Size: Limited to 20 participants

This is a daytime workshop, and camping is not required.

There will be a lunch break each day. Participants may bring their own lunch or leave the park to get food nearby.

Registered participants will receive additional information before the workshop, including the detailed meeting location, parking information, arrival/check-in instructions, and what to bring.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Land Navigation Class

Do I need previous land navigation experience?

No previous land navigation experience is required. This workshop is an introduction to land navigation and focuses on teaching the foundational skills needed to begin navigating with a map and compass.

Participants will learn concepts such as reading a topographical map, understanding magnetic declination, plotting coordinates, using an orienteering compass, measuring distance with pace count, and planning a route before putting those skills into practice in the field.

You don't need to arrive knowing how to use a compass or plot coordinates. Come ready to learn and practice.

Why learn map and compass navigation when we have GPS?

GPS is an incredibly useful tool, but it shouldn't be your only navigation skill.

Phones can lose service, batteries can die, electronic equipment can fail, and some outdoor areas have limited connectivity. A map and compass provide a navigation method that doesn't depend on cellular service or electricity.

Learning traditional land navigation can also help you better understand terrain, direction, distance, route planning, and your surroundings—skills that remain useful even when you have GPS available.

For anyone interested in preparedness, hiking, hunting, camping, homesteading, or becoming more self-reliant outdoors, knowing how to navigate with a map and compass is a practical skill worth developing.

Where is the Kentucky land navigation class being held?

The September 2026 Introduction to Land Navigation workshop will be held at Barren River Lake State Park in Lucas, Kentucky.

Detailed meeting location, parking, arrival, and check-in instructions will be provided to registered participants before the workshop.

When is the land navigation workshop?

The workshop is Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM each day.

How much does the land navigation course cost?

Registration is $450 per participant.

Is camping required?

No. This is a daytime workshop. Participants do not need to camp at Barren River Lake State Park to attend.

There will be a lunch break each day, and participants may bring lunch or leave the park to get food nearby.

Will we learn how to navigate using GPS?

No. This workshop specifically focuses on traditional land navigation skills using maps and compasses rather than GPS navigation.

What kind of compass will we use?

Participants will learn how to use an orienteering compass.

The course will also include a basic introduction to the military lensatic compass, although the lensatic compass will not be the compass used during the course.

Is space limited?

Yes. The workshop is limited to 20 participants, allowing participants to receive hands-on instruction and put what they're learning into practice.

Is special pricing available for military, law enforcement, or first responders?

Yes. Law enforcement officers, military personnel, and first responders should contact Kentucky Sustainable Living for special pricing.

Build the Skill Before You Need It

You can own all the gear in the world, but equipment is only as useful as your ability to use it.

Learning land navigation takes practice. A two-day workshop won't replace continued training in the field, but it can give you the foundation you need to begin developing that skill correctly.

If you've been wanting to learn how to read a topographical map, use a compass, understand coordinates, measure distance, and plan a route without depending entirely on GPS, this is your opportunity to get hands-on instruction.

Two-Day Introduction to Land Navigation
September 19–20, 2026
Barren River Lake State Park | Lucas, Kentucky
9:00 AM–5:00 PM each day
$450 per participant

Space is limited to 20 participants.

Ready to Learn Land Navigation?

Register for the Two-Day Introduction to Land Navigation Workshop

Law enforcement, military personnel, and first responders: contact Kentucky Sustainable Living for special pricing.