Idaho Student Heads For International Geography Competition 13-Year-Old Moscow Boy Was Taught At Home

After a lifetime of study and five years of competition, Moscow’s Brendan Gordon is taking his love of geography international.

The 13-year-old son of Ken and Judith Gordon headed for the Walt Disney World Epcot resort in Florida on Saturday to compete in the International Geography Olympiad. He is one of four students representing the United States in the competition sponsored by the National Geographic Society.

Brendan, who is home-schooled, earned a spot as team alternate by finishing third in the National Geography Bee in May. His team will square off starting Monday against other 13- to 16-year-olds from Australia, Canada, Russia and the United Kingdom.

The top three teams will move on to the final round on Tuesday. Alternates do not compete in the finals.

“So I’m the guy that doesn’t get to go on to the final round,” Brendan said.

The first round will include an outdoor orienteering course and a written test.