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New to Orienteering
Orienteering is an exciting outdoor adventure sport which involves navigating around a course using a detailed map and sometimes a compass.
The aim is to navigate between a set of control points and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time. It does not matter how young, old or fit you are, and you can run, walk or jog round the course and progress at your own pace.
Family Project End of Year 1 report.
Millerground overview:
Come and have an adventure with us on Sunday 3rd December (10am-12) in the beautiful lakeshore surroundings at Millerground. Our special maps will take you off exploring mixture of fields, woodland and shoreline - all with amazing views over lake Windermere.
This event is suitable for complete beginners with a choice of three map-reading courses to follow through Rayrigg Meadow, over Queen Adelaide's Hill and along the lakeshore. You can choose to do one, two or all three courses on the day.
Progress around the courses will be recorded with an electronic timing device (dibber) which will be loaned to children from the registration area.
There will be lots of helpers available to help you get started and answer any questions that you may have.
LOCATION
Rayrigg Meadow, Millerground LA23 1BP
PARKING
Parking will be available at Rayrigg Meadow Car Park, LA23 1BP (1 hour £2, 1-2 hours £3.60, 2-3 hours £4.70).
There are also roadside spaces at the lower end of Birthwaite Road, near its junction with the A592.
Millerground is a short downhill walk from Windermere town centre where there is plenty of additional parking including Broad Street Car Park, LA23 2AB. You could also park at Windermere Jetty Museum, LA23 1BN, for a fee. Please allow extra time to walk to Rayrigg Meadow.
Please do NOT use the Millerground layby for parking.
MAP / TERRAIN
The area is compact but varied with wonderful views across Windermere to distant fells.
The courses will visit parkland, hillside and lakeshore paths.
We have been granted access to the football field but, to avoid damage, please avoid crossing the pitch.
The Millerground map has been recently updated (2023) and the scale will be 1:2500.
COURSE INFORMATION
The courses will start and finish in the park near to the Rayrigg Meadow play area.
WHITE -
Shortest and easiest to navigate – follows paths, with checkpoints at each path junction to help with decision making.
1.2km 16 controls
YELLOW –
Longer and fairly easy navigation – follows paths and line features (fences, walls,…), some decisions to be made at paths junctions without a checkpoint, checkpoints may be just off the line features.
1.4km 16 controls
ORANGE -
Longer with a little more navigational challenge.
1.7km 17 controls
Explorer Points can be earned at this event for all LOC Juniors signed up to the rewards scheme.
SAFETY NOTES
Children must be supervised by a responsible adult.
Please be aware that there is a long section of open lakeshore. There are some sections of fairly steep hillside, which may become slippery, some craggy areas and some thicker vegetation – please take care. Also, please make space for other park users. The courses visit open hillside – ticks are unlikely, but please check after the event.
Courses aim to avoid the main parking areas, but please take care around traffic. A very short section of the Orange course runs along the pavement, behind the Millerground layby next to the main road – this section will be supervised by marshalls.
ENTRY DETAILS
The event is completely FREE to attend.
To help our organisation, we request that you sign up by completing an entry form for each participant.
Millerground Family Adventures Sign-up Form
REGISTRATION AND START TIMES
The event will run from 10am – 12 noon.
There will be lots of volunteers available to help you get started.
You can choose to do one, two or all three courses on the day.
Progress around the courses will be recorded with an electronic timing device (dibber) which will be loaned to children from the registration area.
You should return to the registration/download area to download your results after each course and MUST download and return dibbers before you leave.
FACILITIES
Windermere Town Council have provided us with free access to the toilets at Rayrigg Meadow for the duration of the event.
There is also a fabulous children’s playground and numerous picnic tables.
DOG RESTRICTIONS
Dogs on leads are welcome.
Please clean up after your dog.
CONTACTS / OFFICIALS
Planner/Organiser: Kath Savage
Controller: Dick Towler
Explorer awards Winter Series (Part 1)
Family Challenge Log Book
There are 8 different kinds of courses you can enter.
How many controls can you locate?
Build up from Acorn (10) Tree (25) Copse (50) Wood (75) to Forest (100)
Explorer Awards table after 1st Park Series 16 Aug
Explorer Awards table after 3rd Park Series 30 Aug
Explorer Awards table after 3rd Park Series 6 Sep
Explorer Awards table after Hardknott 8 Oct
Explorer Awards Autumn Badge Winners
Explorer Awards table at the completion of the Summer Series
Details of our new Explorer Awards Scheme for junior members. Points are earned by finding controls at selected LOC events. To take part, please send an email with the junior member's name and age to kathfo@lakelandoc.uk
Have some spooky orienteering fun at Fell Foot
October Half Term
Mon 23 10-12
Wed 25 1-3pm
Our Spring Series Events are suitable for all abilities and families will be very welcome. Not sure what to expect? We have created some helpsheets to get you started and there will be lots of support available at each of the events.
Come and have an adventure with us on Saturday 30th September in the picturesque countryside surrounding Sizergh Castle. Our special maps will take you off exploring a mixture of fields and woodland areas across the estate to find checkpoints.This Find Your Way event will use the free Maprun app to record your progress and upload your results.
White, Yellow and Orange courses
OMM Grassmere Sat 3 Sun 4 June
Alongside British Orienteering, we will be providing free activities and adventure courses from the Grasmere Showfield at the OMM Festival and Grasmere Gallop weekend.
Have a go at finding your way around a mini course within the Grasmere Showfield or tackle a longer trail around the beautiful Grasmere village. You can also race against the clock in our mini orienteering maze with SI timing.
Entry to the showfield will be free and the activities will be open for all to join in. So come along and find us, soak up the festival atmosphere and have a go at navigation.
All ages and abilities are welcome.
Sat 3rd (10am-3pm) and Sun 4th June (10-1pm)
Grasmere Showfield LA22 9SL
An update on the Family Project
and March Update
update page 2
Come and have an adventure with us on Sunday 25th June in the lovely lakeside grounds of Fell Foot Park as we launch the first of our Find Your Way events.
Explore the park using our special maps to find checkpoints and learn to use the free Maprun app to record your progress and upload your results.
Orange Yellow and White courses.
Explorer Challenge Summer Series
Well done to all the LOC juniors who collected points and earned Explorer Badges for finding controls during our Spring Challenge. Your points will be carried forward and there are five more Explorer Badge events during the summer where you can add to your total.You can join the challenge and start earning badge points at any time by emailing kathfo@lakelandoc.uk with child's name and age.
LOC Family Project
What we have been working on so far
What we would like to consider developing in the future
Stoney Hazel
Family O event
25th March
see events for more details
Adventure on your doorstep
Coming soon:
Free February half-term family-fun workshops
Six days in/near two lakeland town centres
KENDAL and ULVERSTON
Monday 20th to Saturday 25th February - All morning sessions
Kendal Naughty Elf Trail
17-30 Dec 2022
Help find all the naughty elves in Kendal
Ulverston Naughty Reindeer Trail
17-30 Dec 2022
Help find all the naughty reindeer in Ulverston
Thank you to everyone who has told us how much they have enjoyed the Reindeer trail! Ford Park office is now closed for Christmas and will remain closed until 2nd January. However the reindeer trail is still up and running. When you have completed the trail if you search under the Christmas tree you will (hopefully) find a box where you can claim your reward, information about February events and leave your answer sheet and contact details. (please note laminated maps are also not available so please print your own at home before you come to the trail.)
Orienteering can be a competitive individual sport or a recreational activity. You normally take part individually, but beginners can go out in pairs or a small group. At a competitive event, the person that visits all the controls in the right order, in the shortest time, is the winner.
Also read: Beginner - Your questions answered
Video help
Manchester and District Orienteering Club have produced a series of 4 videos.
The following video shows you how to start orienteering. We look at the basic elements of the map and particular symbols, what controls look like, and what to expect at a Permanent Course or competition. This video series is designed to help you get out and go orienteering - the ultimate outdoor sport that's a mental and physical challenge. It's a sport for all ages and Permanent Orienteering Courses mean it can be done whenever suits you.
Other videos in the series:
2. Getting Going: https://youtu.be/o7wFFY8zOZo
3. Getting Confident: https://youtu.be/wx_3xpnNT9E
4. Getting Faster: https://youtu.be/PmI2lXJ17uI