SELOC are pleased to announce a training event available for all current, new and perspective members of all ages at Burrs Country Park, Bury on Sunday 12th September.

The session is aimed at beginners and those who want to brush up on basic skills of map setting and simple decision making. The essentials to get started on any course.

The parkland environment of Burrs limits the technical difficulty, e.g. no rough open ground, contours or woodland to consider. So the focus is on keeping map orientated, and need to “move around the map” whilst orienteering.

The session will be lead by experienced club coach John McIntosh and provides the ideal practice and training ahead of our autumn and winter series of events.

The aims of the session are:

1. Emphasise importance of setting map at outset and during each leg.
2. Develop confidence in simple route choices (yellow/orange level).

Following the session, the outcomes are expected to be:

1. Use compass and terrain/features to set map correctly.
2. Make confident, accurate decisions about which direction to take.
3. Explain choice of routes with reference to map information.

The itinerary for the day is as follows:

10.00 Meet at Burrs Country Park, upstairs from café. They’ll be an outline of the session, point out facilities etc.  Discuss possible hazards in area, especially dogs and water.

10.15 Simple cones exercise, setting map and moving around the map.  Individually and some pairs work (“remote control”). Highlight importance of relating map to ground.

10.45 Move to north side of park,

• Practice map setting
• Map walk using Activity Centre map, highlighting setting map and ticking off features.
• Use Country Park map for star exercises, getting progressively longer/more complex. Younger orienteers to pair up/work with older ones.

12.00 Lunch break – Please bring your own packed lunch and drinks.

12.30 The afternoon moves to south side of bridge using Activity Centre map.

• With reference to bridge, river, paths, compass.
• 5 short loop exercises, initially the 2 leg ones then the 3 leg ones.
• Discuss choices.

13.30 Final debrief and we head to the café for coffee and cake.

Securing your place

There is no cost for this session, but you must reserve your place. To do this email Peter Brooke on pbrooke@britishorienteering.org.uk

Final details will be sent out to those attending a few days prior.