Orienteers schedule May event Participants navigate to chosen checkpoints

ORONO – Orienteering Maine, one of the nation’s fastest growing orienteering clubs, will hold its next event on Saturday, May 11, at the University of Maine.

The event, open to everyone, will start and finish at the University of Maine’s field house. Those in attendance will receive the basic map and compass instruction necessary to get started in the sport of orienteering. Afterwards, they will have a chance to try their new skills on one of the several orienteering courses established by veteran orienteer Mike Hendricks.

Orienteering, recently contested for the first time as a medal sport in the World Games, involves participants navigating to checkpoints on an unknown course with the aid of just a map and compass. It began in Sweden around 1900 as a military exercise.

Newcomers to the sport can choose from two courses. One course, a traditional one in which the orienteer must visit designated control points in specific order, will be set in Demeritt Forest South, using a map produced just for this event. Newcomers may also try a score orienteering course, in which orienteers try and visit as many control points as possible in a given time at the UMaine campus.

Experienced orienteers and newcomers familiar with using maps in the wilderness may select from an Advanced Beginners and Short Advanced course, both set well in Demeritt Forest.

Orienteering Maine president Anne Dentino is excited by the prospect of orienteering at UMaine.

“As Orienteering Maine begins its second year, it’s fitting that we are holding a meet at the University of Maine,” she said. “The campus and the woods are such a beautiful, natural setting, one that holds meaning for everyone in the state. I hope everyone with in interest in getting outdoors, and being active, will come and give orienteering a try.”

Those wishing to take part in the event can arrive at the UMaine field house between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Experienced members of the Orienteering Maine Club will be on hand to teach orienteering skills. The charge is $4 for adults, $3 for juniors 17 and under, with a $12 family maximum.

Orienteering Maine is a member of the United States Orienteering Federation, the sport’s governing body. The USOF is an affiliated member of the United States Olympic Committee.

Ski-orienteering, the sport’s winter discipline, is under consideration for addition to a future Winter Olympic Games program. Other internationally recognized disciplines of the sport include mountain bike orienteering and trail-orienteering.

There will be signs directing participants to the event. Parking will take place near the football stadium. Detailed directions and questions about the event can be found at the event’s Web site: http: //www.spatial.maine.edu/-hendrick/Orienteering/UMaine -meet.htm. Or contact event organizer Mike Hendricks at 581-3688.

Those seeking more information about Orienteering Maine may contact Dentino by e-mail at anned@hypernet.com or call 359-8900.