| The babble of a brook, the sensual caress of a breeze against the skinthese shape us in ways we do not fully understand. I have a dual suggestion that will cater to kids and adults alike: create more orienteering courses and add orienteering to school curricula. Why orienteering? Because of the unique mix of fun, fitness, mental challenge, and immersion in natural beauty that orienteering offers. At top levels, participants compete against both themselves and the terrain, relying on speed, endurance, decision-making, and navigational skills to find their way through the woods to control sites. As physical skills diminish with age, orienteers can compensate with experience, which helps to make "O" a lifetime sport. It is an outdoor adventure, but one that offers a wide range of skill and exertion levels. Thus it has allure for the trained athlete, the ardent environmentalist, and the family that just wants a purposeful walk in the woods. |
| Although orienteering is more of a technique sport than a rules sport, you will enjoy your first outing more and probably stay with the sport longer if you understand the basics. Here's what to expect: |
| Orienteering events are usually held in areas that are both wooded and open, and feature some obvious landmarks, such as fences, trails, knolls, and reentrants. |
| Your goal in orienteering is to find the fastest, albeit safe, route between a series of marked features in the terrain, using a compass and a detailed map. Route selection is at the heart of the sport, and a big reason for its unique appeal. |
| A competition course should be unfamiliar to you. |
| Several courses are offered at a meet. Which course you choose depends on age, fitness level, and experience. Beginners, intermediates, and advanced orienteers visit |
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