Your First Event

How do I get started?

The best way to try orienteering is to come out to a local event and get involved. Newcomers are welcome at local club events. All events have beginner clinics. Refresher and skills development clinics are also available. Events are suitable for both individuals and families. These events usually cost between $2 and $8 per person.

To receive information about clubs in your area contact:

Outside Alberta: Refer to our Contacts & Links page [need link] or go to Canadian Orienteering Federation.

Do I need a compass?

Many people are concerned about the use of a compass in orienteering. Beginners, however, should not be. A compass is not essential for beginner level courses and maps are setup so that you don't need to calculate declination. With a compass you can orient your map to the north and (for more advanced courses) set a bearing to find controls that have few nearby features to guide you. Instructors at the beginner's clinic can show you how to use your compass should you choose to carry one.

What should I bring?

A map of the course will be provided and you should carry a whistle. A compass is not essential except for advanced courses. Both compasses and whistles are available to rent at each event. Wear comfortable walking clothing (that you don't mind getting dirty), appropriate for the weather and sturdy runners or light hiking boots. Most importantly, bring your love of the outdoors and interest in puzzle solving!

What should I expect?

Registration usually opens 45-60 minutes prior to the beginning of the event. Volunteers coordinating registration will be happy to walk you through the process.

You will be given a map, control card and control description sheet. The map may already be marked, or you might need to copy the location of the checkpoints (controls) from the master map.

• Control card: a sheet of paper that is punched at each control to verify that you have located it
• Control description sheet: will tell you on which features the control flag is placed and the code letters on the flag
• Code letters: used to verify that you are at the correct control

The orienteering course:

• The start is marked on the map as a triangle and the course as a series of numbered circles, each representing a control. There will be 6 to 20 controls, depending on the course you choose.
  • The control, which you must visit, is at a distinguishable feature in the center of the circle
• Map symbols for land features will be shown on the legend of the map. Features range from trail junctions and creeks to smaller features like boulders and depressions.
• Once you find the control, check your control description sheet to ensure that you are at the correct control and punch your control card in the corresponding square. Then orient your map, check the control description, find the best route and set out to the next control description!

At any orienteering event there will be several orienteering courses offered. Courses vary in difficulty and length (1/2 hour to 2 hours); you will probably want to start with the easiest and shortest one. Basically, this is what you can expect from the different levels of courses:

• Very easy
  • Usually follows trails, or other easy-to-follow features such as fences
  • Shorter distance suitable for newcomers of any age
• Easy
  • Similar to the very easy course, with some opportunities for cross-country
  • Suitable for newcomers of any age
  • You may wish to use a compass to help orient your map
• Moderate
  • Provides more cross-country
  • Requires good understanding of map and compass
  • Provides more challenge
• Hard
  • Most difficult courses, almost exclusively cross-country
  • Difficult control features, longer distances
  • Only suitable for experienced orienteers

Finish: Be sure to check in at the finish!

Check in even if you do not complete the course: otherwise, the organizers will send out a search party. Turn in your control card, have a snack and take a look at the results board. Take time to discuss your time, your route and the challenges you faced with other orienteers on the same course. It's all part of the fun of orienteering!