Find a level piece of ground with a clear view of the sky. Make sure the space in front of it is clear of debris like sticks and leaves.
Plant the stick upright in the soil. Observe where the shadow of the stick falls on the ground. Mark this point with one of the markers you have chosen. This will mark west.
Tie the strong to the base of the pole, then to a second marking stick. Use this to draw a half circle in front of the pole.
Mark where the pole's shadow extends at noon. This is north. Wait until the shadow of the pole touches your half-circle again. Mark where the pole's shadow ends. This is east.
Find the Big Dipper. This constellation is very distinctive and is also known as the Plow or the Big Bear.
Gauge the distance between the last two stars in the handle or tail of the Big Dipper.
Use this amount of distance to measure upward, or towards the highest point of the sky. Five star-lengths upwards is Polaris, the North Star.
Follow the North Star to go north, or use it to determine the three remaining compass points.
