There will be an introductory, beginner’s orienteering event at Colt State Park in Bristol on Saturday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is rain or shine and is open to all ages. There is no charge. 

Instructors will be on hand, and a map will be given to each participant. Compasses will be available for loan.

Three courses will be offered — white (2.9 km), yellow (3.7 km), and pink (7.0 km). White is suitable for those not interested in competing. Yellow offers a little more of a challenge. Pink is for runners who would like to add a new dimension to their running workout. 

What is orienteering?

Orienteering can be defined as a competitive or non-competitive recreational activity in which participants use a map and compass to navigate between checkpoints along an unfamiliar course. Though originally run only in forest terrain, today orienteering competitions occur on a variety of mixed terrain courses, and even in some urban environments. 

Though the oldest and most established form of orienteering is foot orienteering, the sport has inspired numerous variations, each employing different methods of travel, including mountain bike, canoe, horseback, ski, and even automobile. Each version has its own specific set of rules and conventions to accommodate the logistics of the method of travel.

Competitive or non-competitive

Orienteering requires the participant to use their physical and intellectual abilities in concert. 

As a non-competitive activity an individual or group can approach the sport as a walk in the woods with a treasure hunting aspect. For those who wish to compete, races are intended to test the navigational skill, concentration, and running ability of competitors. 

The objective is to determine the fastest route between controls (checkpoints, usually marked with flags that comprise the course) and then travel it as quickly as possible. Competitors are required to check in at each control in the specified order. The time between each competitor's race start and final control check-in is recorded, and the quickest orienteer wins. Various means to verify the correct controls have been found are used.    

Instruction available

Before people start, instruction will be available from experienced orienteerers. After finishing, if people decide to try it again, more advance instruction on technique will also be offered.

In the southern New England area the New England Orienteering Club, NEOC, puts on events in just about every month except July and August when it is too hot and vegetation too thick. See www.neoc.org for a schedule and links to other resources.

For more information call 301-4764 or email drhall15@yahoo.com.