| Beginner's Training Begins | 09:00 |
| Beginner's Training Ends | 11:00 |
| Practice Course Opens | 11:00 |
| Practice Course Closes | 13:00 |
| WHAT | Beginning Orienteering Training: Before the Time of GPS |
| WHEN | Saturday, December 5, 2015, 9:00 am to 11:00 am |
| WHERE |
Papago Sports Complex Event Site Northwest of the McDowell Road/64th Street intersection. Click here for event location details. |
| SIGN UP |
The Papago events are offered through a special arrangement with the City of Phoenix. No pre-registration is required. Simply show up at the event site. This beginner's training is open to anyone who wants to attend. |
| COST | Free |
| WHAT | Practice Course (Beginner Friendly!) |
| WHEN | Saturday, December 5, 2015, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm |
| WHERE |
Papago Sports Complex Event Site Northwest of the McDowell Road/64th Street intersection. Click here for event location details. We'll use the City of Phoenix fixed orienteering course at Papago Park for our practice course. |
| SIGN UP |
The Papago events are offered through a special arrangement with the City of Phoenix. No pre-registration is required. |
| COST | Free |
|
The Beginner's Training is a hands-on course teaching basic concepts used for land navigation and
the sport of orienteering. Participants learn techniques to navigate using only a map and compass
(No GPS!) and practice the techniques outdoors on special orienteering courses. |
|
We're very excited to team up with the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department for this event.
The training is planned for Saturday, December 5, 2015 starting at 09:00 at the Papago Sports Complex
event site. Along with City of Phoenix Park Rangers, we'll introduce participants to concepts of navigation using only a map and compass. We'll then apply the concepts to navigate through a beginner's course shown on a map similar to ones we use at our orienteering events. |
|
During the Beginner's Training, students will walk several kilometers while learning and
practicing land navigation techniques used for orienteering. The field training covers
compass use, interpreting topographical maps, and several methods of getting from point
to point using only a map and compass. |
|
We will provide participants with a) a topographical map of the class area, b) course materials, and
c) several hours of orienteering instruction and practice. |
|
The Beginning Orienteering training is open to participants of all ages and at all levels of skill
and fitness. Our goal is to teach some of the basic navigation concepts that you can then use
to participate in future orienteering events. If you're looking for a fun new and different way to
enjoy the outdoors, please consider joining us for our class. |
|
In addition to the beginner's training, we'll also offer a practice course on Saturday, December 5. Our practice course will use the fixed orienteering course that the City of Phoenix created at the Papago Sports Complex
event site. We'll provide you with a special orienteering map to help you practice some of your newly learned orienteering skills. The practice course is open to everyone, including beginner's. |
|
In case you don't get enough orienteering practice on Saturday, you're welcome to join us Sunday, December 6 for a regular event at Lake Pleasant. The terrain at our Lake Pleasant event site is more varied than what you'll find at Papago Park. See Lake Pleasant Event Details for more information. |
| We know you will be so excited about what you learn this weekend that you'll want to join us for one of our many orienteering events. See Event Schedule for more information. |
| It is best if students can provide their own compass. The suggested model is a Silva Ranger 15 CL 360-degree compass. Another model may be used if it has a baseplate, a mirrored lid with a site and a mechanical declination scale adjustment. We will provide compasses for those who do not have their own. |
The Beginning Orienteering instruction and the Practice Course are free.
| Whistle | Participants at orienteering events are required to carry a whistle. Since orienteering involves navigating off-trail, participants can sometimes travel to areas that are rarely visited by other users of the area. The whistle is a safety precaution which allows orienteering participants to signal their presence to others in case of an emergency. |
| Compass | We prefer participants to bring their own compass. This will allow them to learn techniques during the training, then practice the techniques further at home. We will provide compasses to those who are not able to bring their own. |
| Sun screen. | The training could continue past 11:00 AM. Even though we are starting fairly early in the morning, we suggest you apply sunscreen to avoid burning. |
| Water | There will be water at the start/finish . You may also want to bring your own water bottles or a camelback. |
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Sturdy hiking shoes and Long pants |
The training will involve hiking off trail, sometimes in areas with thick brush and different types of cactus. |
Follow this link for directions to the Papago Sports Complex Event Site.