Try Orienteering on National Orienteering Day at Lake Accotink Park

On Sunday, September 18, everyone is invited to Northern Virginias Lake Accotink Park to try the sport of orienteering at an event held to celebrate National Orienteering Day.

WASHINGTON DC (PRWEB) August 1, 2005 -- Find out how exciting the sport of orienteering is this September 18 at an event open to all. Using a newly expanded and updated map, the nonprofit Quantico Orienteering Club (QOC) is hosting an event in honor of National Orienteering Day at Lake Accotink Park, near Springfield, Virginia.

Theres no need to sign up in advance; just show up anytime between noon and 2pm, pay the nominal fee to cover event costs, and have a blast hiking and navigating in the woods. Come by yourself or bring friends and family, wearing a smile and the clothes you would for a hike or run. Bring a compass if you have one, or rent one at the event.

The event will feature free newcomer instruction, a variety of courses ranging in ease from beginner through very challenging, a souvenir topographic map, and a chance to take home an orienteering compass, USGS map CD, or other sponsor prizes.

Whether your goal is to discover a healthy sport for yourself or your family, or to bring your Scout Pack to learn a new way to practice outdoor map-reading, or simply to take a pleasant walk in the woods with a friend, orienteering is a great choice. Come try it!

About Orienteering:

What is orienteering? Many say its an easy to learn sport blending an exciting cross-county race in a wooded setting with the added challenge of navigating on the fly using a map and your mind. For others, it's a relaxing hike down a scenic trail. Either way, participants use a map and a set of clues to find a series of markers placed in the woods.

Orienteering is most popular in Europe, where the competition can get quite serious.

Locally its enjoyed more for fun and fitness reasons," says Greg Lennon, QOC President. Over half of our participants, especially families, just like combining a bit of navigation with a good walk."

Lennon says that orienteering is spreading in North America, aided by the growing interest in adventure races which typically involve orienteering challenges.

About the Quantico Orienteering Club:

Incorporated in 1979, the nonprofit Quantico Orienteering Club is one of the oldest and largest orienteering clubs in the nation. Events are held most weekends during the Sept. -- June season, and take place at local parks in DC, Maryland, or Virginia. All events are open to the public and offer free beginner instruction.

For information about the Quantico Orienteering Club: http://qoc.us.orienteering.org/

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