Rebelle U for Kids: Teaching the Next Generation to Navigate

When a homeschooling parent in the Northeast reached out with a unique request for her daughter to navigate in the Rebelle Rally, she didn’t expect to help spark something new. While her daughter was too young to compete, her passion for cars and navigation planted the seed for a fresh idea. What if Rebelle taught kids the fundamentals of off-grid navigation?

LeeWhay Pasek, a five-time Rebelle and experienced navigator, stepped up to lead the first-ever Rebelle U for Kids session, held in Vermont. Working from a hands-on curriculum and kits developed by the Rebelle team, she brought the adventure to life for a group of eager homeschoolers. Each kit included maps, compasses, inflatable globes, and a mix of physical activities.

“Initially I was nervous,” LeeWhay shared. “But I relaxed once I saw how interested the kids and their parents were. They had amazing attention spans.”

The session covered core skills like identifying map features, measuring distances, and calculating step length using a compass. “The kids really enjoyed the activities,” she said. “And it was so rewarding to see both the kids and the parents fully engaged, working through the exercises together.”

For LeeWhay, the importance of these skills goes far beyond the rally. “In a world so reliant on technology, knowing how to use a map and compass is invaluable. You never know when you’ll need to find your way without GPS.”

The success of this pilot shows that navigation isn’t just for competitors. It’s a skill set that can inspire and empower the next generation. And yes, LeeWhay said she would absolutely do it again.

As Rebelle explores more youth-based programming, this pilot offers a glimpse of what’s possible. Learning to navigate is not just practical. It’s also a lot of fun.