Lake Needwood

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September 18
Sunday

It’s National Orienteering Day!

And, it's QOC's first event of the season.

Discover the exciting sport of orienteering on National Orienteering Day (NOD) - and for those O'veterans, come enjoy a new mapped park! You don't need to sign up in advance; just show up and have a blast hiking and navigating in Lake Needwood Park. Take home a souvenir topographic map, a complimentary copy of Orienteering North America magazine (while supplies last), and get a chance to take home prizes. Prize drawings will be held at 1:15pm, and will be held for pickup by their respective winners until just after course closing time (like 3:15pm), and any prizes not picked up by then will be re-awarded to others who are present at that time.

Kathleen and Greg Lennon are the event directors, and along with David Onkst and Nadim Ahmed, they have planned an exciting afternoon filled with fun and games. Course setter David has a variety of courses for all to enjoy: first timers, beginners, seasoned adventure racer and the advanced orienteer will find a new level of fun, excitement, and challenges at Lake Needwood. Nadim - who's made this new map - also has a new game for all ages called the Super String-O - see the YouTube video below for an example, photographed at a meet in NY this summer. So, when you show up you can expect the regular white through blue courses (beginner - advanced) and this new exciting type of course that will have everyone involved - trust us, it’s a blast!

Course details and course notes are now available (see (way) below). Map scale will be 1:7500 for beginner (white and yellow) and intermediate (orange) courses, and 1:10,000 for all advanced course (brown, green, red, blue). Epunching will be in use for all courses (white through blue). Blue runners should note that they will need a SI-6 finger stick since other sticks lack the capacity to hold 33 controls; pick up an SI-6 at the epunch table if you don't have one. ***Click here for a PDF document containing more event details, including full course and map notes.***

As with all QOC events, we will have free newcomer instruction at this event. A QOC member will show you how to read a map, teach you how to use a compass with your map and give you hints on how to navigate your choice of course. Besides that, just wear a smile and the clothes you would for a hike or run in a local park. Bring a compass, if you have one, or borrow one at the event. And dogs (on leash) are welcome at Lake Needwood too.

Whether your goal is to discover a new sport or to seek a course record, to learn a new way to practice outdoor map-reading and compass skills, or simply to take a purposeful walk in the woods with a friend, orienteering is a great choice. Come by yourself or bring your friends and family. Anyway you try it, you'll find "O" is the way to go.

Come Join in the Fun with QOC!

Location

Lake Needwood, Circle Parking Area, Derwood, MD (Classic Orienteering)

RegistrationNo advance registration required. Just show up and have fun!
Start TimesYou may start your course at any time during the start window listed below for your event.
ScheduleSunday, September 18
11:00 am - 1:00 pmClassic Orienteering: Start Window
3:00 pmClassic Orienteering: Courses Close - All runners to be out of the woods.
Volunteers
Classic Orienteering: Event Director:Kathleen Lennon
Classic Orienteering: Course Setter:David Onkst
Location Details

Classic Orienteering, Classic Orienteering
Lake Needwood
Circle Parking Area
Derwood, MD
Google Map

Get to Avery Rd from either Norbeck Rd (Rt 28) or Muncaster Mill Rd (Rt 115). From Avery Rd, turn onto Needwood Lake Dr, go 0.3 miles, then turn left on Beach Dr. The first right then leads to Needwood Lake Circle, and by continuing to follow QOC signs you should be led to the pavilion/shelter in use for the event, most likely towards the S end of the lake.
Google Maps Link
Apple/iPhone Link
Course DetailsClassic Orienteering
Course NameLength (km)Climb (m)No. Controls
White 3.16513
Yellow 4.19516
Orange 4.312518
Brown 4.113018
Green 6.118523
Red 7.323028
Blue 927533
Course NotesClassic Orienteering

Please read the complete course notes that will be on hand on site at the event. Here's a summary:

NO ONE SHOULD CROSS THROUGH THE MAIN NORTH/SOUTH STREAM! Please don’t break this rule as it goes against the spirit of the redesigned courses, and it would just be unfair to your fellow competitors.

Check your codes to avoid mispunching! Although many are "easy" movement controls, there are lots more bags than usual on each course and in the woods.

Follow the "bent" purple leg lines to safe crossing areas! It may look easy to go straight, but please don't; the bends are there to move you around the stream and to safe road crossings.

See the course AND map notes at the event! There will be important notes about each course, and about this interesting new terrain and the fine new map (like the contour intervals are 20 feet) posted at the registration area.

Entry FeesIndividual Entries

Non-Member: $10/adult, $6/junior (under 21 years old)

Member: $6/adult, $4/junior (under 21 years old)

Team or Group Entries

Participants are welcome to compete together as a single team entry. Teams containing one or more nonmembers are charged the nonmember individual rate. Teams containing one or more adults are charged the adult individual rate. For teams to receive member or junior rates, all members of the team must be members or juniors, respectively. Each extra team map beyond the first is an additional $4. Individuals or teams desiring to compete on a second course can do so for a reduced fee of $4/map.

Important Notes
  • At the event, we can only accept payment in cash or check; online, you may use a credit card or PayPal account.
  • Most of our events use electronic timing. We will provide you with an electronic timing chip (aka e-stick, finger dibber, or SI-card) for free if you don't own one. Loaned e-sticks that are lost incur a $40 replacement fee.
  • Compasses are available at no charge, but if lost incur a $15 replacement fee.
  • Please provide collateral (driver's license or car keys) when borrowing a compass or e-punch.
  • For additional safety, whistles are available for sale at $1/each.
  • Free beginner instruction is always available - just ask at the registration table.