I'm relatively fresh to the world of smart phones, but just recently I realised that they could provide a unique resource while working with young people in the outdoors.

At the time I was playing with an 'app' call 'Star Chart', scanning the night sky with my phone, getting data on celestial objects with the ability to search for specific constellations. Sure, I already knew some of this and have shared it with kids in the outdoors, but the accuracy and scope of this was impressive.

Ok, the use of smart phones on program may play counterpoint against traditional views of 'isolation from technology', however in this case it allowed a deeper exploration of the celestial environment, at least for me.

It does open a question however, what other useful applications are out there that are useful in the world of outdoor ed? I did a quick search that pulled up lots of US apps (ski trail maps, current river levels for paddlers, first aid reference guides, etc)... but not many Aussie/NZ or Outdoor Ed specific ones.

Care to share?

Caolan.

There are some decent ones out there, Navionics have a digital marine chart for the whole of Aust and NZ, one off fee of $16 and it downloads completely to your device, no need for reception to use the basic map features, and if you're in reception then ya also get all the current weather info. A winner in my book.