Patapsco Avalon

UPDATE AS OF MAY 12: We have received a permit but with significant limitations. This event will only offer Advanced (beige through blue) courses, and capacity will be limited. Registration will open Thursday May 13 at 6pm.

Welcome back to this section of Patapsco Valley State Park, where you'll find fairly typical ridge/valley terrain (similar to the other PVSP areas), with steep hillsides both to the start and on the courses. A limited set of advanced courses (beige through blue) will be available due to permit limitations.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!
Due to the high level of usage in this particular section of the Pataspco State Park, the Park Managers have found it necessary from time to time to close the park and not allow any additional vehicular traffic into the park. If this should occur on Sunday the 16th, you must, repeat MUST, have a copy of your confirmed QOC registration for the Avalon event with you, either in paper form or on your smart phone in order to show it to the ranger on duty and gain admittance to the park for the QOC event. If you do not have your confirmation with you, the park staff will not allow you to enter the park once it is closed.

QOC’s COVID risk reduction protocols, as also enumerated here, will be in effect. Please read these guidelines carefully, particularly keeping in mind the need for participants to bring their own water for all their hydration needs before, during, and after their runs/walks.

Other points:

• PROPERLY WORN MASKS ARE REQUIRED at all times when near registration and epunch areas and their volunteers. This applies to everyone, whether or not you have been vaccinated.
• This section of Patapsco Valley State Park does have an entrance fee (corrected amounts shown below).
• We encourage everyone to download and use any or even all of the DC, Maryland and Virginia COVID exposure notification apps.
• Dogs are permitted at this event but must be leashed at all times.
• We are discouraging groups at this event, and especially due to restricted capacity AND steep terrain, this is NOT the time for orienteers to try a more advanced course. The size of start teams (groups of individuals orienteering together with one e-punch) on a course must be no more than four (4) individuals (juniors and adults combined). Unregistered "tag-alongs" are not allowed (other than babies or toddlers). If you are planning to run an advanced course with three or more people, please contact the Event Director to explain why you need that many people on an advanced course.
• There is no planned, on-site beginner instruction, but beginners are encouraged to watch relevant videos such as this one created by QOC's instructional guru David Onkst

Have any questions? Feel free to reach out to our Event Director or for general questions, just use our Contact Form.