Orienteering
("O"): A versatile sport
or activity, orienteering has Scandinavian roots and
maintains its popularity in Europe, though word is
getting out in the US. Why feature orienteering? For
one, anyone can participate regardless of age or ability
and it's one of the featured activities on the President's
Challenge website. There
are different types of orienteering including foot-O,
ski-O, MTB-O, and trail-O. Depending on difficulty,
courses may be on or off a designated or marked trail
(with the exception of trail-O). Foot-O consists of
hiking, running, or walking; ski-O refers to cross-country
skiing; MTB-O is a mountain bike course; and trail-O
takes place on a natural trail allowing those requiring
mobility assistance the opportunity to participate.
O is good for both the mind and the body as the object
is to read a map, plan a route, and identify controls
along the way. As noted, in some events, participants
race against a clock, providing a good cardiovascular
workout.
How it works:
The standard
O course has a start and finish, controls (sites
marked by circles that must be found by the participant)
and control flags. Control flags are markers
that contain some type of mechanism (hole punch, sticker)
to indicate on a participant's control card
that the control was found. Only Trail-O is not
based on time, and controls can be sighted from a
distance so that everybody has access to the control.
Unless the course is for the very young (where routes
may be identified by string), routes are not marked
and the participant must use his/her map reading
skills to identify the best course.
O-courses can be
found across the U.S. in many local, state,
and national parks. Competitions are held at the local,
national, and international levels. In addition,
there are teacher resources to design O-courses in
school settings to help students develop skills in
map and compass reading, angle identification, and
team building.
For more information on orienteering
visit: www.usorienteering.org/ |
