Newcomer Information
Orienteering with the Backwoods Orienteering Klub
We invite you to try orienteering with us.
- We welcome beginners and have a class to teach you the basics.
- You should bring water and wear clothes appropriate for a walk in the woods.
- You will navigate through the woods using only a map and compass to find the controls, which are orange and white flags, that we set out.
- We supply the map with the course on it, and we can loan you a compass and rent you the electronic timing device we call a “finger stick”.
- We set out easy as well as expert courses so that beginners can succeed and experts will be challenged. Easy courses follow trails and creeks. You can do this solo, or with a friend.
- It is great for both kids as well as adults, and you can walk or run, whatever you prefer.
We currently offer three types of events:
- Regular Events (Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Courses) where everyone is welcome. At Regular Events we always offer beginning, intermediate, advanced and expert courses (courses are routes through the woods). We include a free beginners introductory training class starting at 12:30 that explains the procedure for orienteering, an introduction to the map, and an introduction to the compass.
- Sprint Events (Intermediate Courses) are open to intermediate level orienteers who have completed an “Orange” course (more on that later). There are usually two short (2km) courses on the intermediate level.
- Advanced Events (Advanced Courses) have only the expert level couses. These events are only open to BOK members who have completed a Brown, Green or Red course.
- Entry fee: $5 for non-members, free for BOK members. Entry fee includes one map. You may go alone or with a small group. Registration for a small group is the same, and each additional map is $2. We recommend that each person who is trying to learn orienteering in a group have their own map.
- “Finger stick” time recording device. You can rent one for $5, or buy your own. You must have a finger stick to participate.
- Compass: We will loan you a compass if you need one. We highly recommend that you have a compass. The best compasses have a clear base plate so you can see the map through it.
- Whistle: Bring a whistle or buy one for $1. You must have a whistle to participate.
guiding you to the starting location. If you are planning to come with a group of more than five, please e-mail us in advance and follow the group pre-registration procedure so we will be sure to print enough maps.Definition of Orienteering
Orienteering is a sport which involves the mind and body. It can be an individual sport, or shared with your friends or family. With the aid of a map and compass you find your way on foot across the countryside from check point to check point. Your imagination and skills help you to choose the best route. You set your own pace in orienteering. It can either be a casual hike through the woods with the added fun of using an excellent map to find the controls, or a competitive race of navigational skill, quick decisions and physical speed.
The course has orange and white markers called controls at the check point locations designated on your map. You visit each control and verify that you were there by inserting your “finger stick” into the control station. After visiting all the controls on your course you proceed to the finish and check in.
Course Levels
At each meet there will be at least four courses ranging in difficulty from novice to expert. The courses are designated by color. The entry level is White, about 1.5 kilometers long. It uses mostly trails. The next level is Yellow, intermediate, (3K) where some off trail shortcuts will come in handy. Then it’s Orange, advanced, (4K) where off trail hiking becomes important. Finally there are the expert courses that attempt to challenge an expert’s navigating skills — the Brown, (4K), Green (5K), Red (6K), and Blue (8K). [Very detailed course descriptions] There will always be someone there to show beginners what they need to know to get started. The short beginners class explains orienteering, the map, and the compass. We even have compasses to rent. When you are ready to move to Orange we have an Intermediate Skills class to help you succeed.
Time to Arrive & Time on the Course
Unless the schedule specifies a different time, you should arrive between noon and 1:30 PM. There will be a free lesson for beginners at 12:30 P.M. If there is an intermediate class you will need to pre-register for it on our website, and it usually starts at 8:30 am. The entry fee for the event is free for members and $5.00 for non-members. A “finger stick” is required and we rent them for $5 at each event. You can purchase them on our website for under $40. The entry can be for a single person, or for a small group, and includes one map. Extra maps for other group members are $2 each. We have some loaner compasses for your use. Orienteering can be an individual sport, or you can go out in small groups. If you finish your course quickly there may be time for you to try a more difficult one when you finish. The shortest courses are usually done in 20 to 60 minutes, while the longest most difficult usually take 1 to 2.5 hours.
What To Expect At a Meet
You should dress for a walk through the woods. It is usually best to wear long pants in case you decide to take a shortcut off the trails. In the summer you should carry water. After you arrive, first look over the different courses that are available, and after deciding on the course you want you can fill out your registration card. Be sure to include your car description and license number. Then take your filled out registration form to the registration table. After registering, you get your map and “finger stick”. On your map you will find the course. The course start is marked with a triangle, the controls are marked with circles, and the finish is two concentric circles. (Usually the start and finish are at the same place.) There are also descriptions of where the control is placed within the circle that you use in conjunction with the locations marked on the map. There is also a number on each control flag so you know that you have found the right one.
When you are ready to start, you go to the start table and put your finger stick into the “clear box” and pull it out as soon as it beeps to remove any old information on the finger stick. Then you give the starter your registration card. The starter will place it in an “Out on the Course” clipboard for your course. In a short time you will get the signal to begin. Then you put your finger stick into the “start control box” and your time has begun. Now you go out on your course and find all the controls on your map in order. After you finish the course you end your time by putting your “finger stick” into the “finish box”. Then you take your registration card off the “Out on the Course” clipboard and put it in the “Finished Clipboard”. If you don’t take your registration card off the Course and put it in the Finished clipboard we will think you are still out on the course. We keep track of who is out in the woods, and will send a search party out for you if you are late. Be sure to move your registration form to the “Finished Clipboard” when you are done.
After you put your finger stick into the “start box” you figure out the best way to get to the first control. At the beginner levels there will usually be a trail that you can use most or all of the way. At the advanced level it is more likely that you will have to find your way without using trails all that much. When you get to the first control you should check the number code to be sure you are where you think you are. If you are right, then you insert your “finger stick” into the control box hanging at the top of the control flag. You should notice a “beep” and a light flash. Then you figure out how to get to the next spot. When you have found all the flags, or it is nearly 3:00 PM, it is time to return and check back in. When you finish, you will find folks hanging around eating snacks and discussing the courses with others. Shortly after 3:00 PM we will retrieve the flags from the woods. Those who want to go out again, divvy up the locations, and go out and bring back the flags. Come to one of our meets — if you like maps, you’ll love orienteering.
Here are the detail on using the “Finger Sticks” at an event
Competition, Walking or Running
Whether you want a pleasant walk with a map through places you haven’t been before, or a challenging race through the forest, we hope you’ll join us at our next orienteering event. About half the people at each event walk to enjoy the woods, and about half are racing for the best time on their course.
What about the club?
The Backwoods Orienteering Klub (with a “K” to reflect our Swedish heritage) is your source for orienteering meets and local and regional information. We are affiliated with the United States Orienteering Federation (USOF), and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF). Consider joining our club. Members can participate in our members only events like orienteering at night, and special training seminars. Membership is $25 for an individual and $35 for a family, and includes all local (class C) event fees. Memberships run from September to September. Memberships begun after March are half price, and memberships begun after June go until September of the next year.
To stay informed be sure to check the website regularly or join our Yahoo mail group which only sends out notices once or twice a month from the klub.
Orienteering Maps
Our maps are five color IOF standard maps which we produce just for orienteering. They are so detailed, that boulders and gullies which are only three feet in size are indicated on the map. If you enjoy walking in the woods, or using topographic maps you will have fun orienteering. Once you are familiar with the maps you will be amazed at how easy it is to know exactly where you are when you are “out in the middle of nowhere”. If you are looking for a challenging walk through the woods, or a competitive sport where strength and speed alone is not enough and thinking is very important, then orienteering is your sport.
We’re looking forward to seeing you at the meets.