Local training event
Lots of participants, few helpers
EckO‘s successful approach
At a pub night in the autumn the club members decided to organise a training day for local people who were interested in improving their navigational skills through orienteering navigation. It was to be a low key event with a couple of courses; orange for those who needed help to start to navigate just off paths and a green course for those who needed the opportunity to practise more advanced techniques.
Two people were planning the training on a new area. The area offered many paths and line features; visibility is quite low which is ideal for ‘off path’ features. There were many opportunities for level 5* techniques for the green course.
Club members were circulated with details; posters were put up around the town and local area; the club’s Publicity Officer had an article in the local paper.
Maps, with courses on, were printed according to demand. Numbers continued to rise as the local Mountain Rescue Team confirmed that 15 of them would be coming too.
As only three people in the club were qualified to coach, they realised they would be unable to brief people at the beginning, coach in the woods on both courses and de-brief folk at the end. So they decided to put a “help” sheet on the back of each map. For the orange course, this involved “talking” the people round the course. An example is shown below.
| 1 to 2 | BB | Ditch bend | Decide which path you should follow to the red X on the map - this is your attack point for the control. It is marked on the ground with red tape hanging from a tree. Find the ditch and earthwall and follow them to the control. |
Many of the orienteers found the “help sheet” approach to the training to be very useful. Another person arrived back and exclaimed ‘That’s the first time I’ve really known what I was doing’. All were successful with their chosen course. After all, this was training and participants decided just what they wanted to do. Nothing was timed (unless the individual decided to do so); a sign & time out sheet with a tick-box for return was used.
It was very encouraging to see as many people there – 27 adults and 10 juniors. The age range was from under 5 to over 65. Individuals and families went round the orange course – the physical nature of the ground must have been tiring on short legs! Many experienced orienteers found themselves challenged on the green course. All appreciated the new area. The estate encourages the public to walk around the paths but most people stick to one area.
Many adjourned to the nearby hostelry afterwards, and the local paper carried a good write-up of the event.
Posted on 13th Jun 05
by Hilary Quick - Assistant Professional Officer
Filed under: Coaching/Training • Resources
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