Ten years ago today, on June 3rd, 2015, something amazing officially began.

That was the day Navigation Games became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit—marking the start of a bold mission to introduce orienteering to communities in Cambridge and beyond. But in truth, this journey started long before that moment. Barb Bryant, our unstoppable founder and president, had already been sharing her love for maps, compasses, and outdoor discovery for years. With the creation of Navigation Games, that passion transformed into a movement.

And today, we celebrate 10 incredible years of teaching people how to find their way—both on the map and in life.

🚀 From Humble Beginnings to a Community Force

Since 2015, Navigation Games has grown from a small, dedicated effort into a vibrant nonprofit that’s made a difference in the lives of thousands. We've partnered with dozens of schools, community groups, and local organizations, bringing orienteering into classrooms, parks, and neighborhoods.

Along the way, we’ve also:

• Taught educators at national conferences how to bring orienteering into their own schools

• Hosted joyful summer events on the Boston Harbor Islands, inviting families to explore and play together (more to come this summer)!

• Introduced students to their first forest exploration in local forests 

• Developed a dynamic orienteering curriculum for all ages and abilities

  
  

Whether it’s teaching a kindergartener how to read their first map, designing high-tech urban orienteering events, or building community with volunteers and coaches, our work has always been about one thing: helping people connect—with the outdoors, with each other, and with their own sense of exploration.

🌟 Celebrating Our Community

This anniversary isn’t just about us—it’s about YOU.

Over the last decade, it's been the volunteers, teachers, parents, kids, athletes, donors, and dreamers who have made Navigation Games what it is. You’ve shown up rain or shine, picked up maps, plotted courses, cheered each other on, and brought the magic of orienteering to life.

That’s why this year, we’re turning the spotlight on our community. Throughout 2025, we’ll be sharing:

• Stories and snapshots from our favorite memories over the past 10 years

• Special events and orienteering celebrations

• Dreams and goals for the next 10 years of exploration

  
  

Want in? Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter (navigationgames.org) so you don’t miss a step.

🎈 Looking Ahead: The Next 10 Years

If the first decade was about growth and grounding, the next one is about expanding our impact. We're dreaming big:

• Reaching more schools across Massachusetts (and beyond!)

• Launching new coaching and training programs

• Making orienteering accessible to even more people from all walks of life

  
  

We’re also excited to launch a series of summer fundraising dinners—an opportunity for supporters, new and old, to come together, celebrate our journey, and invest in the future of Navigation Games. Check out our events page to learn more. 

At the heart of it, we believe everyone should get the chance to feel the joy of finding their way, especially in a world that sometimes feels like a maze.

💚 Thank You—and Come Join Us!

Whether you’ve run a course, volunteered at an event, donated to support our mission, or simply cheered us on from afar: thank you. You’ve helped us build something truly special.

As we head into our second decade, we’re looking for new volunteers to join the journey—no compass experience required! Whether you can help with events, coaching, outreach, or behind-the-scenes magic, we’d love to have you on the team. Visit www.navigationgames.org/get-involved to learn how you can get involved.

Here’s to 10 amazing years of Navigation Games—and to the many more trails we’ll blaze together.

Let’s keep exploring. Let’s keep learning. Let’s keep navigating—together.

🗺️ Happy Anniversary! 🥳