Web Resources

• What is Orienteering? - classic overview of the sport
• Orienteering - defined by the World Games Association
• What orienteering is...and a few things it is not
• Orienteering for the Young. Helpful for people of all ages
• Yes magazine two-page article aimed at newcomers (pdf)
• Orienteering Glossary
• How to Use a Compass
• Step Through an Orienteering Course
• O' 1-2-3
• Orienteering in Schools - the O' in Schools Newsletter is free to education professionals. It includes information, games, and teaching aids. Contact Greg Sack for details.
• US Geological Survey (USGS) educational resources including map instruction for grades K-12
• Products and services for teachers - compass sets, custom schoolyard maps, teacher workshops, school programs, books, and more.
• Permanent Courses - what they are and how to use them, plus information on how to set them up (with park permission)
• Control description and orienteering symbol summary sheets
• Audiojournal podcast of an orienteering outing (in two parts: part 1 | part 2) from The WildeBeat

Coaching & Certification — Information on USOF's Coaching initiatives, including Coach Certification and athlete Navigation Certification programs.

Lesson Plan

An orienteering lesson plan designed for teachers and coaches interested in developing orienteering skills in their students is now available. Because some teachers may need to customize the plan to fulfill their school district's requirements, it is available in several formats:

• PDF (34 pages, 335 kb) - Adobe Acrobat reader required to view, cannot be revised
• MS Word (34 pages, 654 kb) - can be customized by those with Microsoft Word accessible word-processing programs
• HTML (389 kb) - can be saved and modified in your favorite word-processing program

To order the Coaching Manual mentioned in the lesson plan, see 'Publications' below (Coaching Orienteering).

Publications (also available from many orienteering vendors)

• Coaching Orienteering (158 pp) - USOF coaching manual - includes dozens of exercises for orienteers at all levels. To order, send name, address, and $14.50 ($12 + $2.50 shipping and handling) to: USOF, P.O. Box 1444, Forest Park, GA 30298.
• Orienteering & Map Games for Teachers (Meg Garrett) - to order a single copy, send name, address, and a check in U.S. currency ($12.00 + $2.50 shipping and handling in U.S.; shipping to Canada is $6.00/1 book, $10/2 books, US$) to: USOF, P.O. Box 1444, Forest Park, GA 30298. Contact Mike Minium for quantity pricing.

Teaching Orienteering — Annotated bibliography of books and resources for coaches and those interested in teaching orienteering, including the above-mentioned USOF publications.

USOF Video

O.MOV, filmed at three meets in Fall 2002, is a fast-paced video which captures the emotion of orienteering. Created by Art Bonanno and Chris Cassone, it features the young energy of the juniors, as well as the broader community. Eight and one-half minutes long. Ordering information.

Orienteering Land Use Information

Last update: June 5, 2009

Photo: Jerry and Marcy Monkman/EcoPhotography.com

Back to USOF Home