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Discover orienteering -- discover yourself!

Orienteering – the Sport of a Lifetime

Orienteering map Orienteering is the sport of navigation with map and compass. It's easy to learn, but always challenging. The object is to run, walk, ski, or mountain bike to a series of points shown on the map, choosing routes—both on and off trail—that will help you find all the points and get back to the finish in the shortest amount of time. The points on the course are marked with orange and white flags and punches, so you can prove you've been there. Each “control” marker is located on a distinct feature, such as a stream junction or the top of a knoll.

A ski-orienteer

Orienteering is often called the “thinking sport” because it involves map reading and decision-making in addition to a great workout. Any kind of map may be used for orienteering (even a street map), but the best ones are detailed five-color topographic maps developed especially for the sport. O' maps show boulders, cliffs, ditches, and fences, in addition to elevation, vegetation, and trails.

Child at start line Orienteering is a sport for everyone, regardless of age or experience. The competitive athlete can experience the exhilaration of moving through the woods at top speed, while the non-competitive orienteer can enjoy the forest at a more leisurely pace. Most events provide courses for all levels—from beginner to advanced—and the sport has been adapted for small children and people in wheelchairs.

Want to see orienteers in action? Check out this action-packed video about orienteering.

Running in the woods If you love maps, exploring, and the great outdoors, try orienteering. You'll be hooked for life!

How you can try it

More than 600 days of orienteering events took place in the U.S. last year. To find out about activities near you, check out the schedule of your local club.

In addition, some clubs have worked with local parks to set up permanent markers and courses, offering navigation practice when competitive events are not available. See the club listing for more information on where to find permanent courses.

Last update: September 1, 2010

2010 USOF Member Survey Report

Ski Orienteering bids for inclusion in 2018 Olympic Winter Games

Customizable Orienteering USA marketing banners and posters now available

The US Team at WOC 2010

*

Congratulations to US Rogaine Championship Team Granite! Results link

National companies sign on as sponsors for
National Orienteering Day
in September

Mountain Bike orienteering schedule and other information now available (linked from Links) / IOF Advisor's Clinic in Switzerland in October (Foot-O and MtBO)

*

Orienteering USA Strategic Plan
for 2010-14 (final)

*

Rogaine Committee seeks Event and Course consultants

Guidelines for Orienteering USA terminology and logo use
*
USOF Becomes Orienteering USA

Read about the name change and see the new logo that will be incorporated in media in the upcoming months

SUPPORT Orienteering USA

How funds
are used

PARTNERS
Your RoadID purchase
benefits USOF Juniors

All Orienteers can save 10% any time they stay at
Motel 6 or Studio 6

NOD/2010
Sponsors

Latest site updates:

1 Sep 2010 - added marketing materials, Ski-O Olympics bid announcement, Third-Party Sanctioning contract
23 Aug 2010 - updated Rogaine calendar, Results, Events
15 Aug 2010 - updated WOC2010
12 Aug 2010 - updated WOC2010 results/comments, Results, Trail-O Team page
10 Aug 2010 - updated WOC 2010 results and comments, results link on MTBO page

Website designed by

Photo credits: Jumper - Eric Bone; Child - Amy Brewer; Ski-O - Liz Kotowski

Discover orienteering -- discover yourself!
Orienteering – the Sport of a Lifetime Orienteering is the sport of navigation with map and compass. It's easy to learn, but always challenging. The object is to run, walk, ski, or mountain bike to a series of points shown on the map, choosing routes—both on and off trail—that will help you find all the points and get back to the finish in the shortest amount of time. The points on the course are marked with orange and white flags and punches, so you can prove you've been there. Each “control” marker is located on a distinct feature, such as a stream junction or the top of a knoll. Orienteering is often called the “thinking sport” because it involves map reading and decision-making in addition to a great workout. Any kind of map may be used for orienteering (even a street map), but the best ones are detailed five-color topographic maps developed especially for the sport. O' maps show boulders, cliffs, ditches, and fences, in addition to elevation, vegetation, and trails. Orienteering is a sport for everyone, regardless of age or experience. The competitive athlete can experience the exhilaration of moving through the woods at top speed, while the non-competitive orienteer can enjoy the forest at a more leisurely pace. Most events provide courses for all levels—from beginner to advanced—and the sport has been adapted for small children and people in wheelchairs. Want to see orienteers in action? Check out this action-packed video about orienteering. If you love maps, exploring, and the great outdoors, try orienteering. You'll be hooked for life! How you can try it More than 600 days of orienteering events took place in the U.S. last year. To find out about activities near you, check out the schedule of your local club. In addition, some clubs have worked with local parks to set up permanent markers and courses, offering navigation practice when competitive events are not available. See the club listing for more information on where to find permanent courses.	Last update: September 1, 2010	2010 USOF Member Survey Report
	Ski Orienteering bids for inclusion in 2018 Olympic Winter Games * Customizable Orienteering USA marketing banners and posters* now available* * The US Team at WOC 2010 * Congratulations to US Rogaine Championship Team Granite! Results link * National companies sign on as sponsors for National Orienteering Day in September * *Mountain Bike orienteering* schedule and other information now available (linked from Links) / IOF Advisor's Clinic* in Switzerland in October (Foot-O and MtBO)* * Orienteering USA Strategic Plan for 2010-14 (final) * Rogaine Committee seeks Event and Course consultants
		Guidelines for Orienteering USA* terminology and logo use* * USOF Becomes Orienteering USA Read about the name change and see the new logo that will be incorporated in media in the upcoming months

		*SUPPORT Orienteering USA* How funds are used
		PARTNERS Your RoadID purchase benefits USOF Juniors All Orienteers can save 10% any time they stay at Motel 6 or Studio 6 NOD/2010 Sponsors
Latest site updates: 1 Sep 2010 - added marketing materials, Ski-O Olympics bid announcement, Third-Party Sanctioning contract 23 Aug 2010 - updated Rogaine calendar, Results, Events 15 Aug 2010 - updated WOC2010 12 Aug 2010 - updated WOC2010 results/comments, Results, Trail-O Team page 10 Aug 2010 - updated WOC 2010 results and comments, results link on MTBO page
Website designed by If you have problems with or comments about this site, please contact the Webmaster (). + ©1999-2010 Orienteering USA Photo credits: Jumper - Eric Bone; Child - Amy Brewer; Ski-O - Liz Kotowski