All the FAQs

What is Orienteering? What should I bring? General Event Info? When are the events? How much does it cost? What types of events are there? What if it rains? What are the rules for orienteering? What do all the orienteering symbols mean? What courses and competitive classes are offered? What are Sprint, Middle, and Long courses? What is an NRE? How do I use electronic punching (E-Punch)? What is E-punching, and how do I read the splits? What do the abbreviations found in results mean? What are the hazards? What is Lyme Disease? But I was taught to always stay on the trail... Where can I get equipment? What about COVID-19?

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What Is Orienteering?

Orienteering is a navigation sport! Checkpoints are circled on a specially prepared map, and you decide your own route between them.

Should you go straight, through the forest and up the hill? Or perhaps take the longer but flatter trail? These are the kinds of decisions that run through an orienteer’s mind.

Orienteers use only map and compass to navigate, but compass knowledge is not needed to get started. In fact, the primary skill in orienteering is reading the map and relating it to the terrain, and you can do that with just your eyes.

Orienteering is a sport for everyone, regardless of age or experience. The competitive athlete can experience the exhilaration of moving through the woods at top speed, while a contemplative orienteer can enjoy the forest at a more leisurely pace. Most events provide courses for all levels — from beginner to advanced.

BAOC offers (free) beginner instruction at all of our public events; just ask at the registration table. After instruction you are encouraged to try out what you've learned on one of the available beginner courses.

If you love maps, exploring, and the great outdoors, try orienteering. You'll be hooked for life!


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