Manitoba Orienteering Association

Teaching Orienteering Skills

EQUIPMENT

(December 2012)

Maps: The playing field for orienteering is the map. You cannot teach orienteering without a map. The detailed orienteering map is a “bird’s eye view” of what is on the ground. The map is marked with a triangle to indicate the start location, circled features, such as trail junctions, indicate the locations of the control flags to be found in sequential order, and a double circle on the map indicates the finish location.
Compass: A basic base plate compass is recommended for the older kids.
20 Control flags: An orange and white three-sided cloth flag marked with a number or letter code that identifies the control marker as unique.
20 Permanent Control Markers: One-dimensional square plastic or metal control markers for setting up a permanent orienteering course.
20 Pin-punches: (One for each control marker) A small plastic device with different pin designs used to confirm that each control feature was visited.
Control Punch Card: (One for each participant) The control card is carried by each participant to be punched at each control marker to confirm that the correct control marker was visited.
Map Case Holders: A plastic bag or plastic zip-lock bag to protect the map from wet conditions and rough vegetation.
Whistle: A safety device carried by participants on orienteering courses in the forest and is to be blown only when help is really needed such as being injured and requiring assistance.
Start/Finish Clock: A timing device. (A digital watch can be used.)
Storage Containers: Covered bins for orienteering equipment.

Optional Equipment

20 Pin Flags: Wire stakes with flagged ends to support some of the orienteering activities.
GPS Unit: Used by the organizers to plan the orienteering courses. Can be incorporated into map and compass games.
Digital watch: Required for “Score O” events to ensure the participant is back to the finish within the required time.
Control description/"clue sheet" holder: A plastic sleeve slipped over a participant's arm to hold the paper control descriptions and used for quick reference.
Orienteering uniform: Shirt, pants, gaiters or socks, sweat band, and orienteering shoes.
Sportident Timing System: An electronic timing system which registers the time a competitor checks in at each control and allows the competitors to compare their results at the end of the event. For the organizer, it provides a ready-made planning and results tool.
Sportident Punch (SI card, "finger stick"): The electronic version of the "pin-punch" card used to confirm that each control feature was visited.
Laptop Computer: Supports the Sportident timing system.
GPS watch: Participants can track where they have gone on the map and download their results to analyze their route choice.

(Suggested Supplier for Orienteering Equipment: O-Store.ca)