Long Island Orienteering Club
Affiliate Member of
United States Orienteering Federation

What is Orienteering?

Orienteering is a sport in which orienteers use an accurate, detailed map and a compass to find points in the landscape. It can be enjoyed as a walk in the woods or as a competitive sport.

A standard orienteering course consists of a start, a series of control sites that are marked by circles, connected by lines and numbered in the order they are to be visited, and a finish. The control site circles are centered on the feature that is to be found; this feature is also defined by control descriptions (sometimes called clues). On the ground, a control flag marks the location that the orienteer must visit.

To verify a visit, the orienteer uses a punch hanging next to the flag to mark his or her control card. Different punches make different patterns of holes in the paper.

The route between "controls" (refers to the flag or the site) is not specified, and is entirely up to the orienteer; this element of route choice and the ability to navigate through the forest are the essence of orienteering.

Most orienteering events use staggered starts to ensure that each orienteer has a chance to do his or her own navigating, but there are several other popular formats, including relays and events in which the orienteer must find as many controls as possible within a specified time.

Every event has a number of courses; each aimed at a different skill level. Starting with a beginner’s course, a participant can work his or her way up to a very technical level if they so desire. It can be done as an individual activity or as a group activity, as a recreational sport, or it can be very competitive.

Although not well known in the United States, orienteering is well known throughout the world and may become an Olympic sport in the near future. It is an activity that can be enjoyed by everyone. Family groups, scout groups, seniors, and some serious competitors all enjoy orienteering.

The Long Island Orienteering Club positions itself as a recreational group with the goal of introducing the sport and stirring interest in it as an outdoor activity. Orienteering can take many forms. As well as on foot, there are long distance events, bicycle orienteering, ski-o and canoe orienteering. The LIOC hosts three meets in the spring and three meets in the fall. Everyone is welcome and no special equipment or clothing is necessary.

Meets run by the L.I.O.C. are held at four different parks on Long Island.  Sunken Meadow County Park, Muttontown Preserve, West Hills County Park and Caumsett State Park.  When you register at a meet, you will receive a map.  Both color and black and white maps are used.  You then transfer from a master map the course of your choice to your map.  Courses are designated by color.  The White course is for beginners and is usually on well-marked trails.  Generally this course will take 45 minutes to an hour to complete at a comfortable walking pace.  The Yellow course is for the more experienced.  It is more challenging in that some of the controls may be hidden off the trails, and it is longer, usually taking about an hour and a half to complete.  An orange course is for the more advanced participant.  Controls are hidden in the woods and a degree of map reading skills along with knowledge of how to use a compass is necessary.

Meets run off Long Island have more difficult courses for the more accomplished competitor.  At L.I.O.C. meets we provide basic beginners instruction on how to navigate the courses and the novice usually gains more skill and confidence after several meets.  While Orienteering can be very competitive, L.I.O.C. meets are designed to be mostly recreational.  Meet dates are usually posted in the Leisure Section of the Sunday Newsday.

Registration fees are $5.00 for non-members and $3.00 for members.  Compass rental is available for 50 cents. Start times are between 11 A.M. and 1 P.M.  Courses usually close at 3:30 P.M.

ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST CHECK IN AT THE FINISH EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED THE COURSE.  THIS IS TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE IS INJURED OR LOST ON THE COURSE.

NO ONE UNDER 18 YEARS OLD WILL BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE WITHOUT A WAIVER FORM SIGNED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN.  These forms are available from the L.I.O.C.

For Information Regarding LIOC Meets, Questions, or for General Information: LIOC WEB PAGE: http://www.geo.hunter.cuny.edu/~tbw/lioc/ 

JOHN PEKARIK, Pres.,
516-567-5063  
ja171@aol.com 

Newsletter PAT KELLY  
516-825-2142  
pkelly1849@aol.com 

JOHN LEAHY, Membership  
23 44th Street  
Islip, NY 11751