First, my favorite book on the subject is Be Expert with Map and Compass by Bjorn Kjellstrom (http://www.amazon.com/Expert-Map-Compass-Bjorn-Kjellstrom/dp/0470407654/ref=dp_ob_title_bk). Simple to read and undersyand yet very comprehensive.

Second, my son and I mad up such a course for our Boy Scout troop at township park were we meet. The course is a mile long and took us several hours to complete. It was intended for First Class requirements so we didn't make it too challenging. The purpose is to teach them, not see if we can push them to failure. We used landmarks to make sighting heading easier and to keep the pace distance in check. Slight variations in headings or an inaccurate pace measurement will compound as they complete each leg so that they would not likely hit the end target. By making each leg end at a landmark it helps keep them on the path.

We did have a few "gotcha." several landmarks are only a few degrees away from each other. But once they sight for the next target it becomes obvious they're off course and have to back-track. We also have one area with a steep grade. This alters their pace, shorter up hill & longer down hill. Again, if they are off target they need to back track. Finally, one leg has a building in the way where they must get around while keeping the right bearing and distance.

You can find some more info on our orientering page (http://www.troop149mchenry.org/Orienteering.htm), as well compass recomendations on our gear page (http://www.troop149mchenry.org/Gear.htm#Compasses).