Jump to Orange

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September 14
Sunday

Occoquan

Jump to Orange at Lake Needwood

This event is an excellent opportunity for those of you who usually do White or Yellow courses to make the jump up to Orange with the help of an experienced QOC orienteer to coach you on the course. Coaches will offer participants as much or as little advice as they want or need. Course setter Keg Good has designed a fun course to help get you off the trails to experience a whole new level of orienteering. (New orienteers should visit the Intro to O event page).

No advanced courses will be offered at Lake Needwood during this event; experienced orienteers are encouraged to volunteer as instructors, and may register for a White, Yellow, or Orange course. Please note that these courses are similar to the courses offered at our May 2025 event, and the orange course is on the short side.

Pre-registration is required.

What to Expect

Event participants will be teamed up with a coach who will provide advanced instruction before setting out on the Orange course together. The coach will accompany you throughout the course and offer as much or as little advice as wanted or needed.

In order to be prepared to make the most of this opportunity, please check out our Moving Up to Intermediate Courses webpage. It is loaded with helpful information to help you succeed on your first Orange-orienteering adventure.

Check-in and map distribution will be at Picnic Shelter C near Needwood Lake Circle at the south end of the park (See directions below). Check-in windows will begin at 12:00pm. Register online for the time that works best for you, and plan to be there 15 minutes early to check in. Everyone will have until 3pm to complete their courses; remember to download at our e-punch station even if you did not finish the course.

Participants can orienteer solo or in small groups of up to four people. Juniors must be accompanied at all times during the training by at least one of their parents.

What to Bring

Dress appropriately for an afternoon orienteering in the woods. Bring your compass, orienteering gear, and water. Compasses and e-punches are available to borrow.

Additional Notes
ASL instruction will be available. If desired, check the ASL box when registering for this event.

Location

Lake Needwood, Circle Parking Area, Derwood, MD (Intermediate Training)
RegistrationAdvance registration will be required. The date and time that registration will open will be posted here; usually, registration will open at 6pm on the Monday before the event.
Start TimesStart times will be by windows (to be defined for this event before registration opens).
ScheduleSunday, September 14
12:00 pm - 2:00 pmIntermediate Training:
Location Details

Intermediate Training
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
Entry FeesIndividual Entries

Note: juniors = under 21

Club Member, adult Club Member, junior Non-Member, adult Non-Member, junior
$10 $5 $20 $5

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
  • If you wish to become a QOC member you should join online in advance via this webpage (which also explains the member benefits). Membership is completely optional.
  • Most of our events use an 'epunch' timing chip for electronic timing. Individuals or groups without their own epunch will be loaned one for that event. Loaned epunches that are lost incur a $40 replacement fee. Epunches (also known as SI-cards or finger sticks) can be purchased from online vendors as described here.
  • Former QOC members who have let their membership lapse pay non-member fees.
  • Compasses are available at no charge, but if lost incur a $15 replacement fee.
  • Please provide collateral (such as car keys) when borrowing a compass or epunch.
  • 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