Gold Country Orienteers would like to invite everyone to try the sport of orienteering at the sixth annual National Orienteering Day on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Orangevale Park in the northeast Sacramento County suburb. This meet will be a special event designed to introduce orienteering to the public. However, anyone who’s been to previous meets is also welcome!

We will be offering a Score-O. That means there will be about 25 controls of beginner or advanced beginner difficulty scattered throughout the park. You will have one hour to find as many as you can, in any order, using a map and compass.  Orangevale Park is small, with many paths and a challenging stream winding amid many oak trees. It is a good place for beginners to learn how to navigate with a detailed map.  Registration will be from 8:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. There will be mass starts on the half hour between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Beginner instruction will be available whenever needed. The cost is $5 for each individual or team going out together.

Orienteering is a versatile and exciting sport for individuals and families. Using a map, compass and a set of clues, you navigate from point to point to find a series of markers. The sport is easy to learn and fun. It can be done as a competitive race or a leisurely hike. It is ideal for children and families – and for serious athletes looking for a challenge.

The meet is cosponsored by the Casa Roble High School Orienteering Club.  Orangevale Park is on the corner of Hazel and Oak in Orangevale. Take Highway 50 east of downtown Sacramento to Hazel, go north over the river to Oak Avenue and turn right. From the north, take Sierra College Boulevard, which turns into Hazel. Go east on Oak and look for orienteering signs.

For more information, call Art Livingston at 916-722-2992 or artlivings@comcast.net