WHAT IS ORIENTEERING?

Long popular in Scandinavian countries, orienteering is a sport which is
growing rapidly in the US and Canada.  Orienteering is for all ages and degrees
of fitness and skill.  At its least demanding, a participant can leisurely
tour the course stopping to pick flowers and observe wildlife, while
competitive orienteering involves running from checkpoint to checkpoint
through the woods over courses as long as 10 kilometers.  It is a sport which
challenges both the mind and body.

In a race (referred to as a meet) the organizer places control markers at
designated land features which act as checkpoints for the course.  Each
orienteer is given a highly detailed topographic map with the various features
(control points) circled.  The object of the sport is to use the map 7 compass
to locate each control point.  Each point has a red & white triangular flag
and distinctive punch which is use to mark the score card. If you or your
Scouts find a control flag while camping or hiking please do not disturb it!
The flags are put up shortly before a meet and taken down immediately after-
wards.

Orienteering provides the suspense and excitement of a treasure hunt with red
and white markers providing the reward every few hundred meters.  Competitive
orienteering is more demanding than road running not only because of the
terrain, but because one must constantly be concentrating, making swift
decisions, and keeping track of distance covered.  The key to orienteering is
more one's ability to think under pressure and make wise decisions than simply
speed or endurance.

For more information on orienteering contact United States Orienteering
Federation, PO BOX 1444, Forest Park, GA  30051

0 N81N