Whether your group is looking for instruction, competition, team building or just a lot of fun, orienteering may be the thing.  Scarborough Orienteering can organize it for you.

Group events, organized and conducted by Scarborough Orienteering, range from a standard orienteering event to one customized to meet the particular needs of your company or group. Customization could introduce requirements specific to the mission of the organization or their outing or team building session. The format may be designed heighten the fun and competitive aspect and create special decision making situations focusing on recreation or more serious training. Being an orienteering nut, I have always found the pure sport to serve both purposes well.  If you are interested in a specialized event, I can provide a proposal that would incorporate your particular requirements.

Team Building Team members with different skills and skill levels work together to solve the navigational problems posed by the course-setter. Communication, leadership, and cooperation come into play. Most clients find the qualities of orienteering give their organization a new experience and task environment which meets their team building needs. Others take advantage of the sport as a vehicle for serious work on personnel and business relations by bringing in the services of a professional team building specialist. Either way, it all adds up to fun as well as a  unique training opportunity. Being in the woods, facing the unknown, matching wits with the map and the course, not to mention the other teams, all make for an exciting and satisfying experience regardless of relative navigational performance. In fact, there are clients that see a day of orienteering perhaps with a feed as a good reward to the staff for a job well done.

The physical requirements of a beginning orienteering course are modest, similar to those of a two-mile hike or so. If you have any in your group unable to hike, they may participate in administering the starting, timing and scoring, etc. Of course if your group is experienced and requires something longer and more technical, some very tough tests can be arranged.

Of particular interest to corporate, government and similar groups is the intensive formal team building program designed around orienteering by Scarborough Orienteering and one of the Bay Areas foremost experts in professional team building.

Events for youth or school groups can emphasize educational aspects (learning about maps in the real world, physical education, topography, safety, etc.) along with the sport and excitement of the challenge and accomplishment that makes learning fun.  Scouts can meet general or merit badge requirements.

Scarborough Orienteering, your best source of orienteering expertise in the San Francisco Bay Area, offers a wide range of options for instruction and orienteering events. Over the past 10 years we have specialized in formal classes and corporate and social events. 

With over 25 years of experience in all phases of the sport, we specialize in authentic orienteering according to the standards of the US Orienteering Federation. SO events emphasize the precision and reliability required for an event of the highest standards not available from any other consultant. You will find the fees very modest compared with other professional event consultants. Discounts apply to nonprofit groups.

A standard event includes a custom designed course or courses to meet the needs of your group. Participants will receive up to an hour of instruction and a hands-on map-walk prior to the orienteering. Standard equipment, supplies and procedures, modified to your specifications as needed, are supplied. The map, specially prepared for your event is enlarged to enhance readability and is in five colors with courses over-printed. The event can be the standard interval start, individual or team format, or a special design to meet your team building needs. Clients usually combine the orienteering with a barbecue, picnic or catered food.

Regarding my qualifications: I have a degree in Geography from UC Berkeley, retired after a career with the National Park Service, began orienteering in 1972, founder of the Bay Area Orienteering Club, 1978 and president or board member ever since. My event services have included teaching, coaching and events for team building and corporate outings. I have surveyed and drawn maps and organized events of all types since 1978 and in competition have won several national championships in several age groups. Son James, a life-long orienteer and member of the five-man US team at the World Championships since 1993, is an occasional instructor.

A TYPICAL PROPOSAL

Event- SO will plan and conduct a standard orienteering event including course design, hanging markers, set-up and take-down, map preparation and reproduction, and all necessary supplies and materials. One or two courses can be provided. The typical proposal includes a standard White (beginner's) course followed by a Short Yellow, technically more challenging course, as an option. Regulation control markers, punches, description sheets, control cards will be used according to the rules of the US Orienteering Federation. Running the event includes managing the start and finish and providing results. 

Location- The usual location is a beautiful redwood forest section of Joaquin Miller Park in the East Bay Hills with a secluded picnic site as the central location for the orienteering. The birthplace of Bay Area orienteering, it is within walking distance of the new Chabot Space and Science Center. The coastal resort Costanoa, and other venues throughout the Bay Area are other possibilities.

Instruction- A detailed introduction to orienteering, including a hands-on navi-hike around a short practice course precedes the orienteering, instruction. My system of Eight Easy Steps gets to the essential skills of land navigation and teaches how orienteering techniques are applicable to general recreational map and compass.

Map- The typical map is a specially drawn five-color international standard orienteering map enlarged to enhance readability with the course pre-drawn.

Compasses- Compasses may be rented, purchased or participants may bring their own. If you want to provide your group with their own compass to take home, you can find a wide range of high quality compasses on the Scarborough Orienteering Price List. The best inexpensive all-purpose basic compass is the Nexus (Silva) Star.

Extras- You may want to consider custom T-shirts to commemorate the event and award medals or key rings as prizes for the top team(s.) If you have a design for a T-shirt, such as a company logo, in mind, I can give you a quote for the shirts. I can also help with the design. If interested in catering, I can put you in touch with an excellent cook or make arrangements for you. The same applies to the services of a professional team building specialist. Awards in the form of  merchandise or medals are available as mementos or awards to recognize outstanding performances.

Electronic Punching-  A new and exciting adjunct to my events is the option of electronic punching. Recent clients have used this new technology with great success. EP replaces the old needle punching used to prove visits to controls. Rather than carry a paper or Tyvek card to punch with a needle punch at each control, the participants will use what are called "finger sticks" containing computer chips. It straps to the finger and will register the location and time of arrival at each control. When inserted in the station at each control, a beep is heard and lights flash confirming that the time and location are recorded. Data is uploaded into a computer at the end of the course. EP adds a new dimension to the sport making possible instantaneous timing, punch check, and the printing of results and split times. Beginners and experienced alike love it if only because it is fun. It has made a big hit with the local club and, of course, is commonplace in big orienteering countries such as Norway, Finland and Sweden.

Let me know the approximate size of your group and what kind of event you are interested in and I can provide a proposal for services that will match your needs and preferences.

Please do not hesitate to e-mail or call with any questions. I believe your group will enjoy the unique combination of the mental and physical challenge that makes orienteering the great activity it is.

Joe Scarborough

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Scarborough Orienteering
Compasses and Orienteering Gear
Events, Consultation, Team Building, Coaching
Classes and Private Instruction in General Map and Compass and Orienteering
(510) 530-3059
E-MAIL joe at orienteer dot com
http://orienteer.com