Beaver Dam Run
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PDF versionShareThisOctober 17
Saturday
Pre-registration is required and is now open; there is NO day-of registration.
Welcome to QOC’s first-ever local meet at Beaver Dam Run on Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCBQ) also known as Training Areas 8A and 8B, adjacent to “The Basic School.” The site is three miles driving distance west of I-95, Exit 148 (a detailed map is here). It is very close to the MCBQ access gate unlike our other on-base orienteering venues, and also unlike most events, this is a Saturday event. Gavin Weise has designed a full set of courses with the assistance of Rob Field, so for all those who didn’t have the opportunity to orienteer at either of the two national events QOC hosted at Beaver Dam Run, this will be a new orienteering experience. Full course stats and course setter comments are posted below.
This event requires pre-registration via the link below. QOC’s COVID risk reduction protocols, as also enumerated somewhat here, are in effect. Please read these guidelines carefully.
Access to Marine Corps Base Quantico:
Because this event is taking place on a US military installation, access is controlled. The process for gaining access to MCBQ is substantially modified from the procedures we have used in the past so read the following carefully in order to understand what will be required this year:
- If you are a DoD CAC/DoD ID card holder, there is no change to access requirements. Just show your card at the gate as always and proceed on to the event site per this graphic and the QOC signage on the ground.
- If you are able to travel with a DoD CAC/DoD ID card holder, show your government-issued photo ID, when the card-holder’s vehicle arrives at the gate.
- If you are older than 16, not a DoD CAC/DoD ID card holder and are not traveling with one, you will need to acquire a one-day base access pass.
- If you have CAC issued from another agency (Federal PIV Cards – DHS, FBI, DEA, NASA, State Department, etc) you will have to register using the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) link below, prior to being allowed access to the base.
Depending on the number of people getting passes, it will take 10-20 minutes to get your pass. You can speed up the process by pre-registering (not QOC pre-registration) in the DBIDS system https://dbids-global.dmdc.mil/enroll#!/. You will have to provide your SSN online to pre-register. You will also need to provide a sponsor. If you want to pre-register with DBIDS, email Bill Wright, our liaison to MCBQ, and he will provide the required sponsor information.
If you do not pre-register in DBIDS, you will simply show up at the VCC and present your driver’s license or SSN. If you have a Maryland, Virginia or DC license you will not have to provide your SSN. Those possessing other state licenses may have to provide their SSN. The Visitor Center will have the sponsor information for the QOC orienteering meet.
If you are not a US citizen, but you are a permanent resident, bring your permanent resident ID card and passport. If you are neither a US citizen nor a permanent resident, contact Bill Wright BEFORE you pre-register to discuss options.
Minors 16 years of age and younger do not require passes, if accompanied by a parent. We would expect all JROTC cadets to be accompanied by either a parent or card-holding cadre member. For scouts or other youth organizations, it is preferable that scouts travel with a parent or with a CAC/DoD ID card holder. Contact Bill Wright with any additional questions.
Visitor Center hours on Saturday are 7:30 – 11:30 AM. To ensure enough time to get your pass, drive to the meet site, and check in, we recommend allowing 45-60 minutes from your arrival at the VCC to your arrival at the event site at Beaver Dam Run. As a reminder, the event time windows for show-up at check-in and starts are:
- 9:45am - 10:30pm - start course between 10 and 11am
- 10:45am - 11:30am - start course before 12 noon
- 11:45am - 12:30pm - start course before 1pm
- 12:45pm - 1:30pm - start course before 1:30pm
Base Waiver Requirement:
Each attendee over the age of 18 (both those who run courses and those who do not) will have to sign and submit a special adult waiver for MCBQ. Please click the link, print out, sign and turn the waiver in to us (QOC) when you check-in at the event. If you arrive without a signed waiver, there will be blank waiver forms at registration, but it will speed the registration process and better conform to our COVID-19 risk reduction efforts if you have it done in advance.
For each attendee under the age of 18, there is a waiver form for minors that must be signed by his/her parent/guardian. Those under the age of 18 who will not be accompanied by their parent/guardian must ensure that a parent/guardian has signed the form before they depart for the event. Each junior running individually and each start-team with a junior must present the requisite waiver to us (QOC) at our event check-in. Check-in crew will verify each junior on the start team has a signed waiver. No minor will be allowed to run without the waiver signed by his/her parent/legal guardian.
Other points:
- PROPERLY WORN MASKS ARE REQUIRED at all times when near registration and epunch areas and their volunteers.
- Pets are permitted on base but must be on the leash at all times.
- Water is not provided due to COVID-19 policies. If you'd like water before, on, or after your course, bring your own.
- Port-a-johns will be on site.
- 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).
- Youth group leaders please contact the event director (Scott Sharp) to discuss how best to register your start teams and shepherd them through check-in on the day of the event.
- 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
- The National Museum of the Marine Corps has re-opened to visitors. Daily hours are 9:00am to 5pm. NMMC is a 10-15-minute drive (entirely off base) from the access gate and Visitors Center. Some participants may wish to consider including a visit either before or after their run or after they have gotten their pass at the VCC, if they have arrived early and plan to run later.
| Location | Quantico Marine Corps Base (MCBQ), Beaver Dam Run, Stafford, VA (Classic (Quantico)) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Registration | Advance pre-registration (with payment) is required via this link. Registration for this event will be open from noon on Monday, Oct. 5 to no later than Thursday Oct. 15 at 6pm. Who's registered? Check by clicking here. Sorting by column is possible too - just click on the column name. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Start Times | Participants will register in advance for a specified 45 minute check-in window (including map pick-up), starting at 9:45am until the final window. We recommend NOT showing up right at the very start of your window (to avoid crowding). Each window will be limited to 45 "starts" (solo individuals or groups). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule | Saturday, October 17
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| Location Details |
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| Course Details | Classic (Quantico)
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| Course Notes | Classic (Quantico) Like the 2017 Quantico Quinquagenary/US Champs, all courses will start up by the main obstacle course. The map created by Francis Hogle is still fresh and holding up well. Parts were also updated for the Juniors Champs last year. But as it's an active Marine base, there is always potential for new objects, obstacles, and munitions (non-active) to show up and be unmapped. Major rides are generally mapped but there is a long history of old trails so you will undoubtedly spot more. There is some stray fencing including barb wire, including a big stretch in the west of the map (but this is mapped as a fence). Many of the small ponds have dried up, but they are still quite visible. The terrain is typical for the area, and while there is some underbrush at this time of year, the woods are often open and fast and the hills are gentle and friendly. There are many objects (signs, posts, munition boxes, etc.) typically marked with the manmade object symbol (“X”) and a network of trails in several areas of the map. This provides ample handrails, attack points and opportunities to relocate yourself if needed. Combined, it might be a good opportunity to move up a course if you are considering it. True to the name, all courses will cross Beaver Dam Run. The obvious crossings will be over bridges, but Orange through Blue have possible route choices crossing the stream (although a bridge crossing is still possible). As of 10/6, streams were very low. We will update this page and have info on Saturday if there will be a mandatory bridge crossing imposed. As harrowing as they look, you can IGNORE the “Do not enter” signs on the west side of Beaver Dam Run. And please run the trail and do not try to actually use the bayonet course as many of you head to the GO control! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Entry Fees | Individual Entries
Note: juniors = under 21
Group Entries Participants are welcome to orienteer together as a group (up to the maximum for that event; usually 4). Each member of a group is charged their individual rate as shown above, up to a group total of $30 (maximum), and each receives a map. A group receives one epunch. Individuals or groups desiring to compete on a second course after completing their first can do so for a reduced fee of $2/map subject to approval at the event by the Event Director. Important Notes
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