Orienteering

Takoma Park, MD

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Learn Orienteering

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What is Orienteering?

Orienteering is a group of sports that involve using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain whilst moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they use to find control points. Originally a training exercise in land navigation for military officers, orienteering has developed many variations. Among these, the oldest and the most popular is foot orienteering. For the purposes of this article, foot orienteering serves as a point of departure for discussion of all other variations, but almost any sport that involves racing against a clock and requires navigation with a map is a type of orienteering. (Learn More)

Goal

Go from point to point listed on a map, in order, as fast as possible. Starting from the triangle and moving sequentially then ending on the double circle.

How to use a Map?

When you first look at an orienteering map you will notice small squigly lines all over the map. These lines are called contour lines. Countour lines represent increments in elevation, the closer they are together the steeper the incline. This is because each contour line is spaced apart by exactly the same amount. Maps on this course only really include cotour lines and some roads which may be helpful for finding controls. You can try matching your enviornment to the contour lines and if you face the map the same direction it becomes a replacement for a compass.

How to use a Compass?

Hold your compass flat with the direction of travel arrow pointing away from you and directly at the landmark. Now rotate the bezel (outer ring/dial) until the magnetized needle is inside the orienting arrow (orienting arrow should be below the red needle). Look at the index line to read the bearing you've just captured keep the compass facing the same direction (make sure that there are no items near you that will effect the magnet: mainly large metal objects.)

How to use a Map and Compass in combination?

To use a compass and a map is really quite simple, we will take the previous example on how to use a compass and apply it to the map. So first make sure you map is pointing north (red needle on compass) and the compass is facing the same direction as the map. Now keeping the map pointing north move the side of the compass to align with a line between your location and a control point. Now rotate the compass dial or outer ring just as you did before in how to use a compass. Whatever way the compass is pointing should be the direction to your next point. (important you must move in a straight line otherwise the bearing will be incorrect and you will end up somewhere entirely else).

How to use the Website/Application?

Open map selection select a map you want to run if you are new try an easier map first.
  • Print out the map or just use the web version.
  • Start your course navigate to the start point indicated as a triangle on the map.
  • Click Confirm to start the course.
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About

Orienteering Takoma Park Eagle Scout Project

Hello, my name is Dominik Honzak and I created this website as part of my 2024 Eagle Scout project. This website was created entirely from scratch using the Replit IDE and hosted on Github static pages. I came up with this idea after many brainstorming sessions with friends and family. The idea of making an Eagle Project related to orienteering originally came from a family friend that has helped me through scouting for many years. I then develpoed this idea, looked at things like time constraints and my personal skills. Programming being one of my best skills I figured I could throw together a website like this. Although simplistic in theory its an innovative idea, nothing remotely similar could be found anywhere. I even tried using AI but because of its complexities and the complete lack of data/documentation on website geolocation I was unsuccessful in finding any outside information that would have been helpful to creating this project. This tool took a lot of time to create and I hope it can be put to good use. I hope this tool can help inspire many to learn how to use a map and a compass or to just get out of the house and exercise.

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Tutorial

How to use the orienteering application?

If you have done orienteering before this application implements all parts of orienteering except the compass. When you open Quickstart there will be maps listed below the legend. If you click on one of the courses, it then opens so that you can then print the map and start the course. Alternatively while on the course you can press the "Options" button and "View Map" to see the map.

When you have arrived at your first destination (the start) click confirm, to confirm you are in the right location. Continue this process to the end of the course.

While on the course check the bottom of the screen where it shows your accuracy, if the accuracy is too high (above 15 m) then wait until it stablizes and try again.

If accuracy is still too high it may be a problem with the device, connection, or internet browser. If you do not see the accuracy bubble at the bottom of the screen make sure location services are turned on for both your phone and the website page.

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More Orienteering

- Local Orienteering Club - QOC
- Orienteering USA
- Wikipedia
- Orienteering Boy Scout Merit Badge
- Girl Scouts


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