Ray Mears with the OS map competition winners

Budding mapmakers from across Britain picked up tips from survival expert Ray Mears as a reward for their cartographic knowledge.

Twelve schoolchildren spent the day with the broadcaster and bushcraft protagonist, putting into practice map-reading skill learnt in the classroom. The dozen were prizewinners in an Ordnance Survey competition run in schools across the country.

As well teaching the youngsters navigation tips such as how trees grow towards the south to attract the sun’s rays, he also tutored the prizewinning schoolchildren in making fire using a flint and tree bark, tracking animals and building shelter in the wild. They also learnt how to use an antiseptic fungus to cover wounds and the group discovered a badger sett.

The twelve had won a competition which involved answering mapping questions and designing a new map symbol. The contest was organised as part of the scheme in which the OS offers free Explorer maps to every 11-year-old school pupil in Britain. So far, it has given away 5 million maps.

Mr Mears said: “It was a real privilege to spend the day with such well motivated youngsters.

“Their energy and enthusiasm for wild Britain was really refreshing. We covered some challenging concepts of navigation, which they grasped without difficulty.”

Roger Jeans, OS education manager, said: “The free maps for 11-year-olds scheme is about encouraging young people to take an interest in the world around them. We had a fantastic day with Ray and I hope the children were inspired by what they learnt.”

Winners in the 2008 scheme will spend a day with the Channel 4 Time Team. Teachers have until 30 November to apply for maps.