Back Home Next

Introduction
Choosing a Meet
Equipment
The Basics
Meet Procedures
Map Reading Skills
Additional Resources

MEET PROCEDURES  

Attending your first Orienteering can be exciting but it can also be a bit overwhelming. Some of our meets attract over 100 participants and the majority of them tend to show up at the same time.  

You'll feel much more comfortable if you understand our meet procedures in advance. It will also shorten your registration time and get you out on the course faster. 

There are six steps to our Basic Meet Procedures:

  1. Registration

  2. Beginner Instruction

  3. Getting ready to start

  4. Starting

  5. Orienteering your course (RULES)

  6. Finishing

Registration

If there is a long line when you arrive at the registration area, go to the front and ask for a registration form. That way you won't have to stand in line twice.

Here's what you need to know about the registration form:

bulletFees
bulletPersonal Information
bulletCourse 
bulletSigned Waiver
bulletPunch Card
bulletWhat's Next
Registration Form

click on image

Fees

The basic registration fee is based on the number of maps you purchase. It starts at $7/member and $10/non-member. If you're going out on a course by yourself, that's all you need to know. But if you're going out in a group, you can either share one map or purchase additional maps for your group members at $3/map. Here are a few examples:

bulletIndividual is not a GAOC member
$10
bulletGroup of 2 sharing a map
$10
bulletGroup of 3, each wants their own map
$10 + $3 + $3 = $16 

In addition to the map fee, the park may charge a usage fee. GAOC does not collect these usage fees. The park generally has self-serve boxes set up in the parking lots and the usage fees are usually $5.

Personal Information

If you're going out in a group, add everyone's name next to the word group, as in the sample above.  But probably the most important piece of information we need from you in this section is your car description & tag number. Why? We have to make sure that everyone who when out on a course came back in from the course. So if you're out for over 3 hours, we can double check before we start our search by checking the parking lot for your car.

Course

If this is your first time Orienteering, even if you have prior map reading experience, we recommend that you do the White level course. This course is designed for beginners, is set along well-defined trails or linear features, and is typically 3km or less, which means the optimum winning time is 30 minutes. If you do well on the White course, you may go out on the next level course afterwards at no additional charge.

Here is a short description of the courses we typically offer at local meets:

Course Optimum Winning Time Approximate length
White  (beginner) 30 minutes 3 km or less
Yellow  (novice) 40 minutes 3 - 4 km
Orange  (intermediate) 50 minutes 4 - 5 km
Green  (expert) 50 minutes 5 - 6 km
Red  (expert) 60 minutes 6 - 8 km

Signed Waiver

Please read the waiver -- we're obligated to let you know what the risks are associated with orienteering -- then sign it. If you're not 18 years old, you'll need an adult to sign for you. 

Punch Card

Check the sample to see how to fill out the punch card -- we need your name and course on the top and left-hand side. 

What's Next

After you complete your registration form and pay your fees, you'll receive a new map, clue sheet, and punch card. Proceed to the Beginner's Instruction or if you've been to a meet before, get ready to start.

Beginner Instruction

Beginner Instruction is offered at 10 a.m. and usually lasts between 15 and 20 minutes. Make sure you register first because you'll need your map. 

Your instructor will review the meet procedures, Orienteering rules, explain map reading and describe the basic tools and how you'll go about completing your course. All of this information is available on our website by clicking on the links in this section.

Getting Ready to Start

Before your can start your course, you'll need to copy your course from a master map onto the map we gave you at registration. (Note: Occasionally we have the courses preprinted on all of the maps and you skip this step.)

You'll want to be very careful to copy the circles, numbers, and lines, exactly as they appear on the master map because if you copy this information wrong, you won't be able to find your controls.

At this time, you may also need to copy your clues onto your punch card as in the sample to the right. Even if pre-printed clues are offered, it's a good idea to do this as it's one less piece of paper to have to fumble with out in the woods. 

Once you have your courses on your maps and your clues in hand, you are ready to go to the Start. 

Punch Card

click on image

 

Starting

You must check out at the Start before you begin your course. The Starter records every name, course, and start time to keep a record of who goes out in the woods. That way if someone gets lost or injured, we can initiate a search and rescue.  

We use "staggered starts" and start competitors in two-minute intervals so those on the same course cannot follow the person in front of them. Once the starter gives you your start time and says, "Go," you may start your course and you have three hours to finish.

Orienteering Your Course (RULES)

The object of orienteering is to locate all the checkpoints in order, in the shortest amount of time. The game is easy and fun and best of all there are only a few rules:

  1. Navigate to each control in sequential order

  2. Punch in the correct square on your punch card

  3. Do not move or mess with the controls 

  4. Do not ask for or give assistance, unless someone says they are lost or injured.

  5. Do not follow other competitors

  6. Return to the finish area within 3 hours, regardless of whether you finished the course or not, or by 3pm whichever comes first

Control, code, punch
Finishing

Congratulations! You've just finished your first orienteering course. Now don't forget to check back in at the Start/Finish area so a meet official can record your finish time and mark that you've come in from the course. 

Give the meet officials some time to calculate your finish time or check back on our website later to see how you did. If you found all of the controls with no problems, consider going out on a Yellow course the next time you Orienteer. If you had some problems or need some additional help, ask the Registrar or any of our members to help you out. 

And now that you've tried orienteering, why not consider joining the GAOC? You'll receive a $3 discount at all events and lots of opportunities to improve your skills.

Georgia Orienteering Club - www.gaorienteering.org