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Pre-registration is required and is expected to open Monday, September 28 at 6pm. It will close on Saturday, October 3 at 12 noon. There will be no day-of registration.
Orienteering at Gunston Hall
Join Quantico Orienteering Club at Gunston Hall, the historic Colonial-era estate of George Mason, principal author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights and a key influence on the U.S. Bill of Rights, located along the Potomac River east of Lorton, Virginia, just past the entrance to Pohick Bay Regional Park.
The park offers an unusually varied terrain package for its compact size: flat, occasionally dense woods in the south; steep re-entrant and spur complexes running down to the Potomac shoreline in the east; gently rolling terrain dotted with mountain laurel west of Gunston Road; and open fields surrounding the Hall itself and its outbuildings. A full complement of seven classic courses is typically set here, from White through Blue, with the longer courses sometimes crossing Gunston Road to reach additional terrain on the west side of the property.
This mix of terrain types, combined with the venue's manageable size, makes Gunston Hall a favorite for groups, families, and newcomers to the sport. First time out? Check out our Your First Event and For Beginners pages. Beginner instruction will be available.
Parking is usually in the lot adjacent to the visitor's center, with registration set up just across the entrance road. The final stretch of Gunston Road into the park is narrow and curvy, so drive with care.
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| Registration | Advance registration is required. Registration is expected to open Monday, September 28 at 6pm and will close on Saturday, October 3 at 12 noon. |
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| Schedule |
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| Location | Gunston Hall, Main parking area, Lorton, Virginia | ||||||||
| Driving Directions |
From southbound I-95, take exit 163 (Lorton). Go left onto Lorton Rd at the end of exit ramp. Go under the 2nd overpass and turn right onto Lorton Market St, then go ~1.5 miles to the traffic light at Route 1. Go straight through light (the road name changes to Gunston Rd) and go ~4 miles to the entrance to Gunston Hall on left (identified with orienteering sign; overview map here.) |
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| 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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Registration
Advance registration is required. Registration is expected to open Monday, September 28 at 6pm and will close on Saturday, October 3 at 12 noon.
Schedule
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Sunday, October 4
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location
Driving Directions
From southbound I-95, take exit 163 (Lorton). Go left onto Lorton Rd at the end of exit ramp. Go under the 2nd overpass and turn right onto Lorton Market St, then go ~1.5 miles to the traffic light at Route 1. Go straight through light (the road name changes to Gunston Rd) and go ~4 miles to the entrance to Gunston Hall on left (identified with orienteering sign; overview map here.)
Entry Fees
Individual 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
