how to make a simple orienteering course

Participating in a Basic Orienteering Course Download Article

1. Study your map. When you start your race, take a moment to look at the topographical map which will consist of a...
2. Orient your compass with your map. Your map will have an arrow indicating north. It may also have north lines.
3. Look for your first control site. This is indicated on your map by a circle...

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What are the basic skills in orienteering?

• Fold your map so that you can comfortably hold it in one hand.
• Align the long edge of the compass with the direction that you need to go.
• Rotate your whole body until the compass needle and the north lines on the map are lined up.
• The long edge of the compass and the direction of travel arrow now point in the direction you need to go.

How to start orienteering?

Part 2 Part 2 of 3: Participating in a Basic Orienteering Course Download Article

1. Study your map. When you start your race, take a moment to look at the topographical map which will consist of a start, a series of control sites connected ...
2. Orient your compass with your map. Your map will have an arrow indicating north. ...
3. Look for your first control site. ...
4. Punch your card or electronic dibber. ...

What are some good orienteering skills to learn?

• Point features in a row, like rocks or termite mounds
• Sometimes different vegetation forms a line in the terrain
• A ridge or spur

How to select your orienteering course?

Choose the course which challenges your current skill level but is still easy enough to be fun for you. White – for the beginner. Yellow – for the experienced beginner. Orange – for the intermediate level orienteer. Brown – shorter course for the advanced orienteer. Green – short course for the advanced orienteer.

How do you make a simple orienteering map?

What Are the Steps in Making an Orienteering Map?Select a suitable area.Obtain permission to use the area.Prepare a base map.Select the map scale.Do the field work.Draft the map.Print the map.Archive the map.

What are the six types of orienteering course?

There are: relays, night orienteering, cross-country ski orienteering, mountain bike orienteering, horseback orienteering, handicap orienteering (Trail O), long-course, short-course, and sprint orienteering.

What are the four basic orienteering skills?

SkillsNOTE: The content here is for those who are ready to build their skills and are seeking guidance. You do not need to know any of this in order to show up at and enjoy an orienteering event! ... Basic Skills. Orienting the Map. ... Basic Skills. ... Thumbing the Map. ... Line Features. ... Catching Features. ... Reading the Map. ... Contours.More items...

What are the steps of orienteering?

Plan, Picture, Direction – 3 steps to successful orienteering Plan – Make a Plan before you set off. ... Picture – identify what you will see on the way. ... Direction – Head in the right Direction following the map always keeping it orientated to north with the compass so it matches the terrain around you.

What are the 2 types of orienteering?

Cycle orienteering for adults is divided into two main categories: Mountain Bike Orienteering Score (MBO Score) and Multi-Terrain Bike Orienteering (MTBO).

Why is orienteering not an Olympic sport?

In the 1980's we were told that the IOC was saying Orienteering lacked the required number of member countries on the required number of continents to be considered. Orienteering has long since passed those modest threshholds but it seems no closer to being on any Olympic program.

How do I set up an orienteering course for Boy Scouts?

Set up a 100-foot course near your meeting place. As Scouts arrive, have them walk the course and calculate their pace (how far they travel every two steps). Draw a large chalk circle on the parking lot. Place an index card marked “North” at the northernmost point.

How do you read a map in orienteering?

1:042:34Orienteering - How To Read The Map - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo on the legend it will describe what the feature is termite. Man. And each one is represented by aMoreSo on the legend it will describe what the feature is termite. Man. And each one is represented by a different little symbol on the map.

What are some equipment used in orienteering?

Equipment for an orienteering event Clubs usually have a set of control flags, punches, and control cards, although an event can be organized with mild cartons as substitutes for flags, different colored crayons instead of punches, and pieces of paper with boxes drawn on them instead of control cards.

How do I set up a compass course?

1:115:11How to Setup a Compass Course - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd so what i'll do is make sure that the compass is set to north. Then there's a direction ofMoreAnd so what i'll do is make sure that the compass is set to north. Then there's a direction of travel arrow on the compass. Base we'll set that to the direction.

How do I prepare for orienteering?

Top 10 Tips When Starting Out In OrienteeringGet tips from the orienteering experts. ... Attend an orienteering training day or weekend. ... Practice your orienteering navigation. ... Ignore other orienteering competitors. ... Relocation training. ... Train properly for orienteering. ... Plan your orienteering race. ... Nutrition for orienteers.More items...

How do you train for orienteering?

How to Improve Your OrienteeringBefore you start study the map and legend. ... Don't think of the competition as a race. ... Never run at absolute top speed. ... Try not to stop. ... Don't stand still if you're lost and can't work it out. ... Don't run on 'feel'.More items...

Who is the father of orienteering?

KillanderKillander is credited with coining the Swedish word orientering, from which the word orienteering is derived, in publicity materials for this meet. Killander continued to develop the rules and principles of the sport, and today is widely regarded throughout Scandinavia as the "Father of Orienteering".

What is orienteering in mountaineering?

Orienteering is a sport in which orienteers use an accurate, detailed map and a compass to find points in the landscape. It can be enjoyed as a walk in the woods or as a competitive sport.

What is night orienteering?

Instead, night orienteering — also called “night-O” — requires runners to follow the minutia of the land, tracking vegetation boundaries, bouncing along lakeshores, hiking gullies, and winding down trails to find flags hidden on hilltops, near swamps, or in pits, reentrants and other subtle features.

What is score orienteering?

Score: Score orienteering allows participants to reach each checkpoint in any order they wish. Each checkpoint is assigned a point value, determined by its distance from other controls or the difficulty of getting to its location.

What is the challenge of course setting?

The challenge for the course setter is to keep the course interesting, but never beyond the individual's or group's ability. General guidance is to select locations that are easily identifiable on the map and terrain, and accessible from several routes.

Is time a factor in a master map?

When they finish, the maps are analyzed and compared. During training, time is not a factor. Another variation is when a course is laid out on the ground with markers for the competitor to follow. There is no master map, as the course is traced for the competitor by flags or markers.

What is the difference between a map and an orienteering map?

While a regular map displays basic land features and elevation changes, the orienteering map provides much more detail.

How to read a compass in tandem with a map?

To precisely read a compass in tandem with a map, follow this order of operations: 1. Imagine a line of travel between your position and the destination. 2. Place your compass on your map along this imagined line of travel. 3.

Is orienteering a competitive sport?

Not only is this skill a useful thing to have, but it is also a competitive sport. Usually referred to as orienteering, the sport takes place over a large area in which competitors compete to locate the flags, or "controls", in the quickest way possible.

How to orienteer wiki?

How to Orienteer. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 35 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 73,076 times.

How to start a race in a race?

When you start your race, take a moment to look at the topographical map which will consist of a start, a series of control sites connected by lines and numbered in the order they are to be visited, and a finish. Your start will be a red or pink triangle. Control sites are circles connected by lines.

How far should I run a golf course?

You'll be asked to specify a skill level. As a beginner, you should start with a white or yellow course. These run about 2 to 3.5 kilometers (1 to 2 mi) and usually follow trails. You'll then be given a map of the course, control descriptions, and might be given an electronic punch.

Is orienteering competitive?

Top Answerer. Orienteering can be very competitive, so having an attack point will save you time and potentially energy. It is a 'treasure hunt', but it is mixed in with cross-country racing as well. Not all events are very competitive, you can probably find one that is more relaxed.

What is orienteering skills?

The Orienteering Skills Program is a sequential, four-step program for improving navigation from beginner to advanced orienteer. Each level features concepts, learning, and demonstration of skills that build on each other, as well as a completion patch. This is intended for use by coaches and beginner orienteers to ensure a proper progression of skills and may be integrated with the three programs above.

What is the goal of the Orienteering Program?

The program’s goal is to have athletes train so that they keep their bodies healthy, learn to be self-aware, and develop skills that will help them become strong orienteers and to be successful in life.

What is Discovering Orienteering?

An excellent resource for physical educators, recreation and youth leaders, orienteering coaches as well as individuals, Discovering Orienteering distills the sport into teachable components relating to various academic disciplines , provides an array of learning activities, and includes an introduction to physical training and activities for coaching beginning to intermediate orienteers. Guidelines take eager beginners beyond the basics and prepare them to participate in orienteering events. More than 60 ready-to-use activities assist educators in applying the benefits of orienteering across the curriculum.#N#Developed in conjunction with Orienteering USA (OUSA), Discovering Orienteering addresses the methods, techniques, and types of orienteering commonly found throughout the United States and Canada.#N#Available at Amazon & Google Play

How to become a navigator?

Becoming a proficient navigator involves learning a number of basic concepts and techniques and practicing these skills on a regular basis. Realize that as a beginner you will make mistakes and some will likely cost you a lot of time on the course. Learn to recognize what leads to these mistakes and be able to correct yourself before they become big errors. Even elite orienteers make mistakes, the difference is that they can more quickly catch themselves, adjust accordingly and minimize their time lost to errors. Practice, practice, practice…

How to build endurance and speed?

Intensity: If you want to improve your speed, you need to train harder. Consider intervals, hill repeats, and tempo runs to push you outside of your comfort zone.

How long does it take to complete an orange course?

As a general guideline, a competitive beginner has mastered the basics when they can complete an Orange (Intermediate) Course at a rate of 10 minutes per kilometer for men or 12 minutes per kilometer for women. For example, a male runner who completes a 3.5km Orange course in 35:00 minutes has met the 10 min/km standard.

What does yellow mean in orienteering?

Yellow: slow down, cautious movement and orienteering. Green: full speed, rough direction. Contouring: practice staying at the same elevation along a hillside (imagine following a contour); a useful skill to use when faced with a leg that crosses a very steep hill or valley.

What is orienteering outdoors?

Conservation. Most people tend to avoid wandering into the woods or unfamiliar terrain, but that's part of the fun of orienteering. Orienteering is a collection of sports that requires navigational skills and tools, such as a map and compass, to navigate from point to point.

What are the features of an orienteering map?

They're topographic maps that include not only the land's natural features, but also detailed rock and water features and objects like fences, power lines and picnic tables.

Why is orienteering done at a leisurely pace?

Sometimes orienteering is done quickly as part of large competitions, but it can also be done at a more leisurely pace to explore a new area and hone one's navigational skills.

How to keep track of where you are on a map?

One simple way to keep track of where you are on the map is to keep your thumb on your current location. As you move through terrain, move your thumb as well so that you can always pinpoint precisely where you are.

How to help Scouts with orienteering?

Introduce Scouts to the sport of orienteering. Help Scouts work toward the Orienteering merit badge. Fost er self-confidence and team building. LEADERSHIP PLANNING .

How to make a 100 foot course for Scouts?

Set up a 100-foot course near your meeting place. As Scouts arrive, have them walk the course and calculate their pace (how far they travel every two steps). Draw a large chalk circle on the parking lot. Place an index card marked “North” at the northernmost point.

What to do when Scouts arrive?

As Scouts arrive, challenge them to sketch topographic maps of their neighborhoods or the area around your meeting place. Set up a display of items related to orienteering courses , including controls, punches, control cards, maps, bibs, etc.

How to play compass triangle?

Compass Triangle Game#N#– Materials: For each Scout, a compass and an index card with their name on it#N#– Method: Scouts start at various spots on a parking lot or other open area, marking their spots with index cards. They determine a bearing (say 30°) and walk 50 steps in that direction. They add 120° to the first bearing and walk another 50 steps. Finally, they add 120° to the second bearing and walk another 50 steps. (If a calculated bearing is more than 360°, subtract 360° to get the correct bearing.) Scouts should end up back where they started.#N#– Scoring: The winner is the player who gets closest to the starting point.#N#– Variation: Have players wear bags over their heads so they can read their compasses but not look ahead. (Assign each a guide for safety.) This challenge will test their ability to walk in a straight line and will prevent them from cheating as they approach the starting point on the final leg.

Where to put index cards for Scouts?

As Scouts arrive, give them index cards marked with other compass points. Have them place their cards in the correct spots on the circle. As Scouts arrive, challenge them to sketch topographic maps of their neighborhoods or the area around your meeting place.

How does orienteering help kids?

Leading kids through orienteering games improves their navigational skills, builds teamwork and the ability to communicate and gets them physical exercise. Most orienteering games utilize a course, which you’ll need to set out ahead of time, and the kids compete using a map to navigate their way through the course as fast as they can.

How to teach a child to use a compass?

Older kids, like those of middle and high school age, will enjoy sharpening their orienteering skills with a scavenger hunt. This game will teach them how to use a compass. Separate the kids into teams of two to four, with each team having their own compass. In a large field, wooded area or room, spread out items for the teams to find. Give each team a set of instructions on how to find each hidden item. For example, to find the first item, you can tell them to go 300 degrees for eight steps, then 60 degrees for eight steps and, finally, 180 degrees for eight steps. Teams must write what item they find there and then move onto the next set of directions, which will take them to the next hidden item.