View Full Version : Orienteering classes
Toolumpy
05-12-2018, 17:16
Any suggestions on great places to take beginner classes. Never been good at reading maps and not getting lost. Would like to be better at it.
brewcrew1514
05-12-2018, 17:24
REI gives orienteering and compass classes. I believe there are two levels.
Uncle Sam trained me for almost free (just 23 years of mylife).:banana
Sarcasm the elf
05-12-2018, 21:52
Uncle Sam trained me for almost free (just 23 years of mylife).:banana
That sure don’t sound free ;), but I bet there were some fun parts.
illabelle
05-12-2018, 22:05
University of Tennessee offers a two-day orienteering course taught in Cades Cove in the Smokies. Kind of a long drive from Michigan unfortunately.
Here's a schedule (http://smfs.utk.edu/schedule.html).
If you do find a class, and if it includes an in-the-field segment, I recommend you do NOT wear shorts. When I took this class last October, they sent us in small teams to find several spots marked on a map. To get there we had to cross the unmowed open areas of Cades Cove. They were full of briers in large thick tall patches. Getting through them cost me a lot of blood and some scars. Be warned.
Dan Roper
05-12-2018, 23:23
I learned orienteering in forestry school at the University of Georgia in the 1980s. We called it "compass and pacing," but it's the same thing. It's a terrific skill to have. Give a person who knows orienteering a good and detailed topographic map and it's nearly impossible to get lost.
Most states have orienteering societies that meet regularly and have contests. I am sure they have training classes or ways to meet members that are good teachers or mentors.
Here's one such group in southern Michigan: https://smoc-runs.com/
If you're the independent self learner type, then I'd highly recommend the following book. Great book...
Be Expert with Map and Compass https://g.co/kgs/Wv2dix
Toolumpy
05-13-2018, 01:09
Thanks for all the input and thanks for your service RangerZ.
gracebowen
05-13-2018, 17:59
RangerZ you put in way more time than I did. I think I remember enough of my Uncle Sam orienteering class to do it if I had to.
Are you in Vicksburg Mississippi? I've been doing Orienteering as a sport for 10 years now. I don't see any O clubs in Mississippi.
This link, doesn't show all the clubs. https://orienteeringusa.org/clubs
All the events I go to (mostly in Texas) has a 20 minute "beginning Orienteering" class before the event.
Another option is to look for your local scout troop and contact them. See if they can help. The BS Handbook on orienteering was written by a guy in my local O Club (North Texas Orienteering) and he is usually who teaches our beginner classes.
Toolumpy
05-13-2018, 22:49
Vicksburg,Michigan.
Vicksburg,Michigan.
Looks like there is a Club, shows in Lansing. I'd suggest you reach out via email to them and explain what you are looking to accomplish. Looks like they have one more event this "season", May 20. Here in Texas, our "O Season" runs during the school year and we have a lot of JROTC and Scouts and such that attend. Looks like the SMOC does similar.
https://smoc-runs.com/
atraildreamer
05-14-2018, 11:53
Q: Why is there a mirror on the back of a compass? :confused:
A: So you can look at it and see who is lost! :eek: :banana:banana:banana
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Lots of free map and compass info on the www.
Put Google to work!
I can't recommend Rob Speiden enough. Don't let the fact that it's in VA scare you off. People come from all over the country and even other countries to learn from him. I did basic and advanced land nav through him, and pardon the French, but the man knows his $hit:
http://www.trackingschool.com/
cmoulder
05-16-2018, 07:04
If you're the independent self learner type, then I'd highly recommend the following book. Great book...
Be Expert with Map and Compass https://g.co/kgs/Wv2dix
+1
Then get some maps for local trails and 'assign' yourself some navigation exercises.
Some other thoughts.
Contact your local city parks department. One of the cities here in our metroplex, has a permanent course set up. Our club and one of the schools (JROTC) worked with the parks department on it. The park tells you to park in a lot and they tell you where the first control is, which I think is bolted on a fence post right at the parking lot. Your smart phone then reads the Q-Code on the post, displays the map on your phone and off you go.
Also, check your local state park. Here in north Texas, we have one permanent course at a state park (I helped install the markers and we check them once a year during our event at the park). It is so successful (they sell out of the maps) that another state park is working with us to get some courses set up in their park. Our state park maps, actually have three courses on one map, showing all the controls and people are free to explore, take different routes, combine routes and just have fun.
Crushed Grapes
05-16-2018, 10:20
I can't recommend Rob Speiden enough. Don't let the fact that it's in VA scare you off. People come from all over the country and even other countries to learn from him. I did basic and advanced land nav through him, and pardon the French, but the man knows his $hit:
http://www.trackingschool.com/
Very timely, his next basic land navigation course is next month :)