Rockwood

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September 24
Saturday

QOC's Tim Gilbert will host a beginner-oriented Learn-O at Rockwood Park Nature Center in Chesterfield County, on the south side of Richmond, Va. The event will start at 10am (please arrive on time so you don't miss any of the content) and run until approximately 3pm. Cost is $10. Location is at the intersection of US360 (Hull St) and VA653 (Courthouse Rd).

This event will offer ~2 hours of instruction to prepare participants for an orienteering course involving both beginner and advanced beginner level controls (corresponding to white and yellow courses in the OUSA color coded course system) and one intermediate(orange) control. The instruction will be an introduction to maps (USGS and orienteering-style), compass use, the 5 key orienteering skills and how to stay on the map. The instructors will use a variety of handouts and exercises to help the students master the techniques, and then shadow them in the woods as needed. After participants try the course, there will be an after course review to reinforce what was learned. The event should be useful for aspiring orienteers or adventure racers and anyone else interested in acquiring skills in navigating using topographic maps. Pre-registration as such isn't required but the course will involve printed handouts so please use the link below to send Tim a message if you plan on attending so he can be sure to print enough copies.

Update: It may be a bit wet outside, but the event will go on regardless. Fortunately, there's an indoor space for the classroom work. We'll convene in the park office at Rockwood Park which is at 3401 Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield VA 23236.  The office is located next to the playground and next to the parking lot used for the basketball courts. (There's a link to a .pdf map of the park at http://www.chesterfield.gov/content2.aspx?id=5921 )

Most of the outdoors time will be off of trails, so wear off-trail worthy shoes or hiking boots that can get a little wet and muddy.  Be sure to bring a rain jacket and a hat to keep you dry.  You will probably want to bring extra shoes/socks/dry clothes for your drive home, just in case. We'll have a lunch break mid-way through the day, so bring a lunch or snacks with you. If you have any trouble finding us, give a call at 804-304-8841. See you in the morning!