So you want to learn orienteerring but you need to know where to start. Well this is a good place!

USING POWERPOINTS

Here is a powerpoint created by long time orienteering club member David Fisher. It was created for the Boy Scout program and goes into great detail with lots of relevant information on the sport and some beginner techniques.

This second powerpoint was created as a shorter introduction. This is a good place to start if you want something quick.

USING VIDEOS

If videos are more your thing, here is a longer video that goes into great detail. This was designed to explain how to navigate in an adventure race, which is orienteering but doing so not just on foot, but also while biking and paddling. Adventure Racing is its own sport with lots of information out there but the foundation is knowing how to navigate with a map and compass and that is what orienteering is!.

This video was created by Emily Korsch, Scott Erlandson, and Dave Frei of the Alpine Shop for the annual Castelwood 8 Adventure Race which occurs in St. Louis every December.

IN PERSON

OK, so you really learn best from a person. We got you covered there too. Check our meet calendar and before any meet, reach out to the SLOC past presidents, Josh Borgmeyer, jb.balancedbody@gmail.com or Nathan Graves at cavemelon@hotmail.com, and let us know your needs and what you are trying to accomplish on your orienteering and navigational journey. They will arrange for a knowledgeable club member meet you before the meet for personal instruction.

Other options include the regular navigation class held at the Alpine Shop in Kirkwood, MO. Please check their calendar for availibility.

BOOKS

OK, so you want to read a book. Yep, try some of these titles, there are many out there

The Winning Eye – How to Succeed Through Map Reading by Michel Gueorgiou

Squiggly Lines: Map and Compass Navigation in Adventure Races and Rogaines by Mark Lattanzi

FOREIGN INTEREST

Wait, so you want to learn from down under. OK, here is a series from down under and our friends from across the big pond, Orienteering Australia. Enjoy.

THE FORMAL ORGANIZATIONS

Orienteering USA is the national governing body and has a wealth of resources:

https://orienteeringusa.org/resources/training/

The International Orienteering Federation has some as well:  https://orienteering.sport/orienteering/