Lake Fairfax & Intro to O

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September 22
Sunday

IntroPre-registration is required for both the Classic and Intro to Orienteering events.
Registration will open Monday Sept. 16 at 6pm and close Saturday, Sept. 21 at noon. There will be no day-of registration.

DRIVING NOTE: Map nav apps may imply you can get to the check-in area by driving west from Hunter Mill Road; this is wrong. You must enter the park from the north, by driving South from Baron Cameron Drive.

Quantico Orienteering Club (QOC) invites you to join us Sunday Sept. 22 at Lake Fairfax Park for the first event of our season - it's a Classic event and includes a free Intro to Orienteering session for first-timers. Spend a day in the woods with us to experience this fun, family-friendly sport! The Classic event will offer White (beginner) through Red (advanced) courses. Intro to O will feature White and Yellow courses.

The White/Beginner and the Brown/Advanced courses will also be part of the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics (NVSO). Medals will be awarded. For more information (note: NVSO registration has closed), please contact Keg Good or Sid Sachs.

Check-in for Classic, Intro to O, and NVSO will be at the Large Shelter and open at 9:45am. Courses will open at 10:00. Everyone must be out of the woods and back to the registration/finish area by 3:00 PM. Please allow yourself time to return to the check-in area and download, regardless of whether you have finished, so we know you have survived your adventure!

Youth & Group Leaders: If you are leading a youth or large group, please visit our For Group Leaders page. Even though you will be pre-registering online, please contact the Event Director to let them know your plans and numbers.

For more information about the Intro to Orienteering event, which will also offer ASL-led instruction, click here.

For The Kids! Come and try the free "string-O" any time between 12-2pm. As their first orienteering step, kids follow a short course marked with string (under their parent's supervision). Minimum effort for parents, maximum fun for kids!

Free Cookie Post Event Social: After the event, meet up at Not Your Average Joe's, located here in Reston, VA, just a 5-minute drive west of Lake Fairfax. Bring your map and get a free cookie with any purchase, courtesy of managers Matt and Mauricio!

Reminders:

  • ALL participants must pre-register. There will be NO day-of, on-site registration. Refunds only in the case of event cancellation.
  • There is NO water or food on the course or at registration; please come prepared.
  • Bring appropriate clothing for weather conditions.
  • Pets are allowed but must be leashed at all times.
  • Restrooms are available on site.
  • Parking is located around the pavilion.

Questions? Use our Contact Form!

Location

Lake Fairfax Park, Large Shelter (Classic + Intro to O)

RegistrationAdvance registration is required. Registration will open Monday, September 16th, at 6pm and close Saturday, September 21st, at noon.

To register for a classic White through Red course, click here --> CLASSIC REGISTRATION

First-Timers: register for the free Introduction to Orienteering course by clicking here--> FIRST-TIME REGISTRATION

Who's Registered? Classic course registrants are listed here, and Intro to O' registrants are listed here.

Start TimesStart times will be by windows (to be defined for this event before registration opens).
ScheduleSunday, September 22
10:00 am - 3:00 pmClassic + Intro to O:
Volunteers
Event Director:Linnea Morres
Course Designer:Justin Brown
Training Coordinator:Sharmagh Yepremian
Location Details

Classic + Intro to O
Lake Fairfax Park
Large Shelter
Google Map

Take Beltway Exit 47A (Route 7 or Leesburg Pike) west. Turn south (left) on Baron Cameron Drive. Proceed about 1/4 mile and make a left onto Lake Fairfax Drive. After entering the park, continue for about 1/3 of a mile, passing the Water Park, and, following QOC signage, turn left. Then, immediately after crossing Colvin Run, turn left and continue into the parking area for the Lake Fairfax Large Shelter.
WARNING: Map nav apps may indicate you can drive west to this Shelter from Hunter Mill Road; this is incorrect. You must drive South into the park from Baron Cameron Ave.
Google Maps Link
Apple/iPhone Link
Course DetailsClassic + Intro to O
Course NameLength (km)Climb (m)No. Controls
White 1.8307
Yellow 2.7656
Orange 4.1759
Brown 3.91406
Green 5.91509
Red 7.421012
Course NotesClassic + Intro to O

There is a large construction area southwest of start area marked as out of bounds. It may be hard to see on the map near the start/finish. This area is surrounded by orange mesh fencing in the woods. Besides the Intro/Model course, there are no controls directly south of start area. We have been requested to stay out of this construction area, do not attempt to cross the out of bounds area. The leg lines may be a little confusing near start/finish because of this area, so look closely at your leg/number.

On the map there are many small blue squares to mark sewer pipes. These vary in size around the park, some are flush with the ground while others are raised. The symbol used on the clue descriptions are water tank/trough. While I've tried to improve the control descriptions, some of the columns may not be perfect. Each of the advanced courses have at least one vague watercourse control feature without any extra details.

There are many trails in the park, but not every small cut through is mapped (there would be too many). I would not use trails as your only navigation aid. Map is still a work in progress, most of map is the same as last year's event with some minor updates.

The park is smaller compared other venues. It is surrounded by neighborhoods and with numerous man made areas within park. If temporarily lost this should help someone relocate. The courses will be relatively easy for the most experienced orienteers.

Map Scale is 1:10,000 for Orange/Green/Red. 1:7,500 for Brown. 1:5,000 for Yellow/White. 1:2,500 for Intro.

Entry FeesNote - separate policies apply to our Introduction to Orienteering event for first-timers; see above for details.

Individual Entries

Note: juniors = under 21

Club Member, adult Club Member, junior Non-Member, adult Non-Member, junior
$10 $5 $20 $5

Group Entries

Participants are welcome to orienteer together as a group (up to the maximum for that event; usually 4). Each member of a group is charged their individual rate as shown above, up to a group total of $30 (maximum), and each receives a map. A group receives one epunch. Individuals or groups desiring to compete on a second course after completing their first can do so for a reduced fee of $2/map subject to approval at the event by the Event Director.

Important Notes
  • If you wish to become a QOC member you should join online in advance via this webpage (which also explains the member benefits). Membership is completely optional.
  • Most of our events use an 'epunch' timing chip for electronic timing. Individuals or groups without their own epunch will be loaned one for that event. Loaned epunches that are lost incur a $40 replacement fee. Epunches (also known as SI-cards or finger sticks) can be purchased from online vendors as described here.
  • Former QOC members who have let their membership lapse pay non-member fees.
  • Compasses are available at no charge, but if lost incur a $15 replacement fee.
  • Please provide collateral (such as car keys) when borrowing a compass.
  • Beginners are encouraged to watch relevant videos such as this one created by QOC's instructional guru David Onkst.