29th Annual Maryland Scout   Orienteering Day  BAC, BSA

and Grand Opening of the new Camp Finney  facilities at Broad Creek Scout Res. 35 mi. NE of Balto.

SAT. NOV. 5, 2005  MAIL FORM BELOW BY FRI. OCT. 24! You must pre-register by Oct. 24!

A 1-day event; however, camping is available free Fri-Sun. at Camp Saffran; register below.

  “Orienteering is meant to be a cross-country race with map and compass through unknown terrain, a kind of treasure hunt for strategically placed markers.  A good orienteer needs strong legs, a subtle brain, and the ability to exert both at the same time, which is rare.”-Outside Magazine.    This event is designed for those new to orienteering.

     Your troop or Venture unit or post is invited to BAC’s annual day of instruction & fun in orienteering (“O’”), For the first time ever, we’re at Camp Finney & environs, one of the two biggest wilderness parts of Broad Creek.  Cost is $4.00 per participant.  Over 730 orienteered last year at this event.   Parents & others over age 18 are encouraged to take part; not Cubs or Webelos.   Venture (<18) & Explorer members (<18) can compete as a unit or as part of their associated troop.  Troops/ parents should also try the fun public beginner O’ events at parks in Howard, Montg., A.A., & P.G. Counties (QOC Info-line at 703-528-INFO, or http://qoc.nova.org (which has this form.);  Arrive from 11:30 to 1:30.  Also,  Broad Creek

has courses on the $0.75 camp map; all good practice on easy-to-use color orienteering maps just like the one for our event!

       Our self-guided instructional map hikes and the "lost-proof" Route O’ start the day.  This event has proven to be so much more fun over the years than Scout compass games, and more valuable in developing self-reliance.  We emphasize the map skills more than compass bearings, as does all real orienteering.  You might not win in your first year, but you should learn plenty!  We don’t “sign off” O’ merit badges,  but some of the toughest requirements will be met as will others with some follow-up.  The 2003 O’ merit badge pamphlet is well done & worth reviewing before you take part in this event.  (It was authored in part by avid Texan orienteer Peter Snell, the three-time Olympic gold medalist (800 and mile) from New Zealand.)

      Troops not camping may arrive at any time between 8 & 9:30 a.m., but by 8:30 to have time for the map hike and fun “head to head cross-country O’.”   At 1:30, troops receive maps for the grand finale, the ever-popular Score O’.  Awards (4 to 4:30) go to the top 55 pairs of scouts, with patches & color maps for all paying participants.    For info. on O’, try the links at www.us.orienteering.org  or, for Scout O’ events around the U.S., www.scoutorienteering.com. 

       After registering, you’ll get, a few days before the event, directions, camping & what-to-bring info., etc.  IF you want a Saffran lodge building for overnight, you must pay & sign up with the Council office.  (Oest & Spencer are too far.)  Scouts will orienteer in "younger" or "older" pairs.  Anyone who is any of the following is "older": 1) 1st Class; 2) 14 as of the event; 3) 13 as of the event & has passed 1st Class req.#2 (O’ part); 4) earned the O’ merit badge. All others are in the "younger" category.  Bring lots of scouts; troops with more than 14 scouts drop their lowest score in the troop competition, 18 or more their two lowest, etc!   No charge for name changes below, and additions beyond the total below can be added at the event for $5.00;  for no-shows, there are partial refunds later.  To be eligible for a troop award, you must have at least ten scouts.  Contact Dave Linthicum, event chair, at DaveLinthicum@earthlink.net or 6020 Pindell Rd., Bristol, MD 20711 if you have a question or problem. Our event staff-Nat’l Capital O’ Club(QOC) & friends-hope to see you there!      

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YOU MUST MAIL THIS by Oct. 24 if you want to attendto "Orienteering, BAC, BSA, 701 Wyman Park Dr., Balto., MD 21211"

with $4 per scout & adult* payable to Baltimore Area Council, BSA.   It helps to bring a copy of this form with you to the event & reregister.

Troop/Post/Venture #______  Unit’s town________________________ District_________________________Council___________

Leader in charge:_______________________________________Home phone_______________Day phone____________________

Address:__________________________________________________________________________________Zip_______________

Interested in more info on the great roast beef sandwich lunches as provided every year by Troop 873?:       Yes___  No___

Name(s) of any Scout(s) you feel can compete by themselves in the "super-advanced" group, and why (previous success at this or other orienteering events) (you will likely have few or no scouts in this category):

_______________________            _______________________     Why?______________________________________________

Names of  "younger pairs"  of scouts (see above). Form a "triple" only if you have a Scout left over after forming all pairs.  (Do not mix "older" and "younger" in the same pair (except if necessary for that one left-over pair; list that mixed pair under "older".)): 

___________________________&___________________________     _______________________&_________________________   

___________________________&___________________________     _______________________&_________________________ ___________________________&___________________________     _______________________&_________________________ 
Names of "older pairs" of  scouts (see above):

___________________________&___________________________     _______________________&_________________________   

___________________________&___________________________     _______________________&_________________________ ___________________________&___________________________     _______________________&_________________________

Names of participating* (paying) adults/parents:     __________________________   ___________________________

_________________________  _________________________  _________________________    ___________________________

_________________________   _________________________   _________________________   ___________________________

Total above:___at $4 each = $_____ (enclosed)   IF CAMPING(free), how many people Fri. nt.?___ Sat. nt.?___