Orienteering 101-Suggested Topic List By Brad Wetmore Try to fit all in 15-20 minutes, or you'll lose folks (physically/mentally) the longer you go. For groups of kids, ask questions to keep them interested. Prework ======= Obtain: demo control bag extra white maps (several) white clue sheet white control card Determine: Read CS'ers notes or talk to CS/MD: any out-of-bounds areas course closure times/max time allowed any other items of interest streamers, map corrections, etc. Determine Next Event Don't forget to hydrate between/during sessions Help people register if you have time. Request they be registered before attending clinic Announce "Next Session in _X_ minutes" (While waiting for any stragglers, cover "What is O.../History/BAOC". If people miss any of the safety part, encourage them to wait for the next clinic.) What is orienteering? ===================== 0) For kids, sort of a "Treasure Hunt." (grabs their attention) 1) A sport combining map reading with cross country travel through unfamiliar territory. 2) A timed event Fastest time "wins" Many do it as: fun/exercise map hike excuse to get outdoors Most important to learn/practice navigation skills. 3) International Sport Don't have to speak English/Symbols 4) GPS might be tempting, but not allowed. Not much help anyway. History ======= Started in Sweden in early 1900's as a military exercise. Recently gaining popularity worldwide. More popular in the US starting around 1970's. May soon be an Olympic sport. BAOC ==== Non-profit/all-volunteer 4th Largest Orienteering Club in the US, largest outside Northeast. Events are a lot of work/many people Club has all kinds of resources/communications Meets all over Bay Area and areas around Tahoe GCO - Gold Country Orienteers Sister Club in Sacramento Next Meet: _______________________ (After this point, encourage newcomers to take the next clinic.) Control ======= Show control bag (to understand what they're looking for.) Safety ====== Course closes at ____pm Must be done by then. VERY IMPORTANT: We need to know you aren't still out there. Why did we ask for so much info at registration? Safety! We can: Check cars in parking lot phone call to see if you're there. Lastly call Search/Rescue if you're still missing DEMO: control card halves Put name on *BOTH* sides TURN IN YOUR CARD! Even if you find nothing, find the registration/start/finish. If there is anything you don't understand, come back to start and ASK!!! If the course is too hard, return to start and do an easier one. No charge to change courses. Never leave registration area if you don't know where you are. DEMO: Point to where we are. We want you to have fun, not get FRUSTRATED!!! Have fun, but be careful. Don't rely on watching/following others Many different courses Others may be more lost than you are! Groups must stay together Temporarily lost? Retrace steps to last control or prominent feature. Completely lost? Stay put. Gives searchers less of an area to cover. Safety bearing, if appropriate to the area. In (REAL) trouble? Three short blasts on whistle First-timers get a whistle (one/group). TURN IN YOUR CARD AT FINISH! Maps/Courses ============ Typically BAOC events are timed point-to-point Start Visit several controls (points/features) Finish. Fastest elapsed time "wins." Discuss/DEMO: (Yellow won't have map, have them look at a white one) DEMO: Align map using compass Red generally is North Terrain Colors Yellow - open areas White - runnable forest Green - thicker vegetation Roads/Trails Blue - Water (river/streams) Black - Rocks Start Triangle Finish Circles Control Circle Point out Legend Look for obvious features Explain Control Descriptions International symbols DEMO: clue sheet. length/climb Explain control bag Prove you were there. DEMO: What it looks like, the control number, and punch punch may be inside bag. Punch the wrong box? Describe how to correct. Different Levels of Courses White/Yellow - Beginner/Adv Beginner easy control/terrain Course done in groups or individually Orange - Intermediate more difficult terrain/off-trail/large features mostly individual, small groups ok. Advanced course-Several levels smaller features only differs in length/climb Almost exclusively individual Probably want to start with a white/yellow today. Event Overview ============== Arrival/Registration Declare which course you will do. Obtain punch card and clue sheet. write name on both sides (the same way) Find Start Area May get map at registration or at start. Get Start Time from starter May need to wait for a start Start Course at proper time. Find control, VERIFY NUMBER, & punch. Repeat. Must do in order. Finish MUST TURN IN CARD AT THE FINISH If finish White course easily/early, do Yellow for $2 more Go to registration. Safety ====== Repeat Sections as appropriate TURN IN YOUR CARD AT FINISH! Results/More information ======================== www.baoc.org Any questions? Have fun! Comments to: bradfordwetmore at gmail dot com Last Update: 1.4 04/12/21