What is Orienteering?

Events

Maps

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Welcome

In orienteering, “the thinking sport”, you use a map and compass to navigate a course through unfamiliar terrain. People of all ages enjoy orienteering as a leisurely walk in the woods or as a competitive cross-country race.

Newcomers are welcome at BAOC events, which are held throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. We offer beginner courses suitable for both individuals and families, as well as advanced courses that challenge the technical and physical capabilities of individuals and small teams. Learn more here.

We encourage all runners to try orienteering. A runners’ welcome page is here.

Upcoming BAOC Events

• Dec. 21 (Sat.) - Willow Glen Holiday Lights "Light-O" & Potluck Social - Willow Glen Neighborhood
  C; Evening Score-O course to enjoy the neighborhood holiday lights, followed by a potluck social & awarding of the 2024 BAOC Service Award
• Jan. 12 (Sun.) - "2024" Golden Goat & Golden Kid - Camp Tamarancho
  C; After missing a year, we have the return of an extra-long "Goat" course, and a long "Kid" course, with a shared mass start; there will be NO BEGINNER COURSES at this special event

Other Future BAOC Events

• Jan. 26 (Sun.) - Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park
  B; Standard 7-course event for beginners through advanced; at the Coyote Lake side of the park as in previous years; everyone is welcome, including non-members and beginners, with free, brief, beginner instruction available (pending park approval)
• Feb. 9 (Sun.) - Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
  C; How will Steve challenge us this year? Everyone is welcome, including non-members and beginners, with free, brief, beginner instruction available (pending park approval)
• Mar. 1 - 2, 2025 - Western States Championships - Calero County Park
  A; Two days of 7-course National Ranking Events (NREs) for beginners through advanced; everyone, including beginners, is welcome either or both days; free, brief, beginner instruction will be available; results combined for the Western States Champs (pending park approval)
• Mar. 9 (Sun.) - Browns Valley Open Space Preserve
  C; This event will offer multiple standard point-to-point courses, from Beginner to Advanced; non-members and beginners are welcome; brief, free beginner instruction will be available (pending park approval)
• Jul. 25 - 28, 2025 - Tahoe 4-Day - Lake Tahoe Area
  A; Events at various parks around the Lake Tahoe are; at least one NRE; four days of fun events (details TBD) (pending park approval)

Recent BAOC Results

• Dec. 8 - Bon Tempe Reservoir
  C; Volunteer appreciation event; ONLY ON SUNDAY this time; as in the past, participation is limited to only club members who have volunteered this year; PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED; NO BEGINNER OR INTERMEDIATE COURSES
• Nov. 17 - Shell Ridge Open Space
  B; Standard 7-course event for beginners through advanced; everyone is welcome, including non-members and beginners, with free, brief, beginner instruction available
• Nov. 12 - BAOC Board Meeting - Video Conference
  Meeting of the Board of Directors; 7:30 PM; all club members are welcome
• Oct. 27 - Public Event at Scout-O Championships - Briones Regional Park
  B; Open Event for non-Scouts — Regular 7-course BAOC event in conjunction with the Scout-O Championships; everyone is welcome, including beginners — free, brief, beginner instruction will be available
• Oct. 27 - Scout Orienteering Championships - Briones Regional Park
  B; 30th annual Scout-O and Championships for all scout levels
• Sep. 29 - Huddart Park
  C; Score-O event: Find as many checkpoints you can within the time limit, individually or as a team; beginners are welcome (free beginner instruction will be provided)
• Sep. 15 - Lake Herman Recreation Area
  B; Event for beginners through advanced; free, brief, beginner instruction will be available

Other Northern California Orienteering Opportunities

The organizations listed below put on events in Northern California and nearby. Their events are listed on the Schedule page (i.e., when "All Clubs" is selected).

• Gold Country Orienteers (GCO) (http://www.goldcountryorienteers.org) – Organizes orienteering events in the Sacramento area
• Nav-X (http://www.navxchallenge.com) – Organizes map-trekking events in Northern California
• terraloco (http://go-terraloco.blogspot.com) – Organizes urban and wilderness map adventures
• Truckee Orienteering Club (http://www.truckeeorienteering.org) – Organizes orienteering events in the Lake Tahoe area

News and Notes

Various “news” items are posted on this page. Recent items:

• 2024 BAOC Service Award Nominations (11/10/24)
• 2024 OUSA Annual General Meeting (7/31/24)
• BAOC Website Updates and Call for Photos (6/27/24)

A Google calendar of Bay Area events is on the Schedule page. If you have a personal Google calendar, you can subscribe to this one to have the events displayed on your calendar.