Wheaton - Introduction to Orienteering

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August 18
Saturday

Quantico Orienteering Club invites all newcomers to orienteering to join us for a prelude to our upcoming 2012-13 season, an “INTRODUCTION TO ORIENTEERING” on Saturday, August 18th at Wheaton Regional Park, Wheaton, MD.

QOC is also pleased to offer a FREE trial membership to participants new to orienteering good through the end of October!

This will be a beginner-only orienteering event for all ages — from children to adults. If you’ve ever wanted to try orienteering, or have just wondered what it is, here's your chance to come out and give it a go.

Orienteering is a navigational experience/sport where you use a map (and sometimes a compass) to find checkpoints in a predetermined order. People with a wide variety of interests--for example those who like geo-caching, map reading, treasure hunting, scavenger hunting, adventure racing, running, hiking, or even just plain strolling — can enjoy themselves orienteering.

Participants will learn the basics of orienteering from experienced instructors and then apply their newly acquired skills on a beginner level orienteering course that same day. Instruction will be offered approximately every 20 minutes beginning at 9:00 AM, with the last one starting at 11 AM. Participants can either orienteer solo, or in small groups of their own choosing. All participants will have until 12:30 to complete their courses.

The only equipment you’ll need to bring is your brain, some active clothing/sportswear, a comfortable pair of shoes, and a watch. Participants may also want to bring along extra water or beverages, though there will be plenty of water on the course and at the start/finish/instructional area.

Directions to Wheaton Regional Park: from I-495 take Exit 31 for Georgia Avenue/MD 97 North. Follow Georgia Avenue north for almost 3 miles, then turn right onto Shorefield Road. Continue east on Shorefield Road to the park entrance. Parking lots are located just inside the park entrance, to the south and east. Please enter the park and cruise around the parking lots until you spot QOC orienteering banners and a blue tent. The start/finish/instruction location for the event will be there.