Please join us for a fun, bare-bones orienteering experience at the beautiful (and hilly) Newton Hills State Park! Please share this link with your friends, church, school, family, heck, even your co-workers! :-)
This is designed as fun, introductory learning event; there will be no scoring, no timing, etc. You are encouraged to walk, rather than run, your course (as long as you return safely by the course closure time).
Wait, what is orienteering?? Orienteering is a sport in which participants use a map and a compass (optional, at this event) to find their way through a sequence of controls located near or on mapped features.
Click here to find out more.
This will be a learn-by-doing activity. Limited instruction will be available upon request. Each course should take between 45 and 90mins at a walking pace.
FYI: the map has been prepared at a "practice/training," level of quality. Contours, trails, and navigationally- useful features along likely route choices will be highly reliable. Vegetation anywhere and details outside likely route choices will be only sketched-in and should not be relied upon for navigation.
Online registration is required.
Every individual (each child, team member, etc.) must have their own separate registration including a properly signed waiver.
You're welcome to participate in families/teams. Each individual must have their own separate waiver and registration.
Sign up for any/all of the courses you'd like to try:
The
beginner course will be very easy, pretty much like a hike with some extra fun thrown in.
The
intermediate course will offer additional challenge, but you'll be ready for it after doing the beginner course.
The
advanced courses will be difficult - you'll have to be able to read and interpret contours to find your way to the the controls.
Don't be concerned about the word "race" in the registration process. That is just the standard term that the registration site uses. You're welcome to run if you want to, but this is not structured as a competitive event.
You can do whatever you want (within the limits of our permit, park rules, the law, and good manners) to build your skills and have fun. Skip a control if you want to. Do the course in reverse. At this event, it's all OK.
You're welcome to use a compass if you have one. Basic loaner compasses may be provided. NOTE: orienteering is really about the map - it's not about the compass. Compass instruction will not be provided (hint: keep the North direction on the map aligned with the North arrow on the compass at all times).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- You must have a valid SD State Parks license (day, annual, etc.) to enter the park. This is not included with registration - you must obtain it on your own. Stop by the main entrance to the park to obtain your license.
- We will share the park and trails with others, including many horse riders. Horses always have the right of way. Be prepared to yield and to keep your distance from horses. Their safety, and ours, is more important than our choice of routes.
Schedule:
Start anytime between 9am (starts open) and noon (starts close). You must be off your final course and "downloaded" (reported back to the Meet Director) no later than 2pm.
Rain or shine. In the event of extreme weather, the event may be canceled at the Registrar's discretion. Check your email/spam folders for any announcements.
BYO water, snacks. We'll have use of the park's restrooms.
PARKING/ACCESS: Use the north, "Horse Camp" parking area, about 5.5mi S of Canton, 1.2mi N of the main park entrance. There is a small sign.
HQ: With luck, we'll have use of the small pavillion just N of the parking lot. Otherwise, look for a dark red Nissan Xterra.
I hope you'll be able to attend!
Please contact me with any questions or concerns. You may use the "contact event registrar" link below or email me directly at: conavgames a.t gmail dot com
Thank you!
Galen
Registrar, Meet Director, Mapper, etc.