Blockhouse Point
Printer-friendly version
PDF versionShareThisMay 3
Sunday
Pre-registration is required and will open Monday, April 27 at 6pm. It will close on Saturday, May 2 at 12 noon.
There will be no day-of registration.
Orienteering at Blockhouse Point
Calling all adventure enthusiasts! We are excited to return to the beautiful Blockhouse Point Park in Potomac, Maryland, after last spring’s debut event there. Whether you’re a seasoned orienteer or a curious beginner, this event promises to be a fun and challenging experience for all. Come enjoy the rolling hills, spring wildflowers, and fantastically open woods at this special venue.
What to Expect
Participants will navigate through diverse terrains, including wooded areas, open fields, and waterways, using a map and compass. This event is designed to test your navigation skills, endurance, and for groups, teamwork. Courses (white through blue; stats below) will be available to accommodate all skill levels:- Beginner Courses (white & yellow): Perfect for newcomers, offering a gentle introduction to orienteering with straightforward checkpoints and kid-friendly terrain.
- Intermediate Course (orange): A bit more challenging, great for those with some orienteering experience looking to improve their skills.
- Advanced Courses (beige to blue): For experienced orienteers seeking a rigorous and demanding course with complex navigation.
What to Bring
Participants should come prepared with the following items:- Comfortable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear
- Water bottle and snacks
- Compass and whistle if you have them. Loaners are available if needed.
Parking and Check-in Details
Parking is limited at Blockhouse Point, so we have arranged for participants to park at the nearby Bretton Woods Country Club Swimming Pool parking lot 1.5 miles further along River Road from the park. This year, the check-in and download area will be located at the Bretton Woods parking lot, along with porta-potties. Shuttles will carry you to the remote start area for all courses at the park (where the finish area will also be located, to take the shuttle back to Bretton Woods for e-punch download). The ride takes about 4 minutes. Parking at the venue is restricted to event volunteers.
Have a bit of time to help? Join the crew by signing up via this form or email the Event Director for other volunteering opportunities.
Beginners
Make sure to check out our Your First Event and For Beginners webpages, and if they don't answer all your questions, just ask them via our Contact Form. We will also offer beginner instruction at the event.
Groups
QOC allows groups of up to 4 people to orienteer together. Any youth or large groups attending this event should contact the Event Director in advance so that we can coordinate pre-registration for your group. Details and the required waiver form can be found on our For Group Leaders webpage.| Location | Blockhouse Point, Bretton Woods Pool Parking, Darnestown, MD (Classic) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Registration | Advance registration is required. Pre-registration is required and will open Monday, April 27 at 6pm, via a link that will be visible here at that time. It will close on Saturday, May 2 at 12 noon. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Start Times | Start times will be by windows (to be defined for this event before registration opens). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule | Sunday, May 3
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volunteers |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location Details |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Details | Classic
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Notes | Classic Welcome to our second full event at Blockhouse! It's a fine park with both history (Civil War sites) and "white" woods at most times of year. Logistics: Take the shuttle bus from our Bretton Woods reg/parking area to the (small) parking lot at Blockhouse Point - do not park there! There are two start locations: the white, yellow, orange and beige courses will start near the southwest edge of the parking lot, while orienteers on the other courses will need to carefully cross the road to their start. All orienteers finish at the same location (near the parking lot), and will then take the shuttle bus back to the Bretton Woods parking lot. There will be at least one porta-pot at both parking lots.
Map & Terrain: Mapped quite accurately by Nadim Ahmed, Blockhouse Point terrain features mostly open hardwood forests with both small and large ditches, gullies and re-entrants. Point features are often (small!) knolls, pits or rocks; rootstocks, on the other hand, can be large.
Course Info: This is not a very technical terrain, due to the trails and other dominant linear features. The steepness of the terrain, however, dictates careful route choice. Course Map Scales: will be posted by April 27. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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
|