Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 **COK events schedule coming Aug 2026**
What Is Orienteering?
Orienteering is an outdoor activity that combines navigational skills with physical exercise, where participants use a map and compass to find a series of checkpoints (also called controls) in a specific order across unfamiliar terrain — usually in forests, parks, or urban areas.
How It Works:
- Map & Compass: Competitors are given a detailed topographic map marked with checkpoints.
- Find Checkpoints: You navigate your way in order from checkpoint to checkpoint in the fastest time possible.
- Self-Reliance: There’s no set path — it’s up to you to decide the best route using your map and compass skills.
- Timing: It’s usually a race — the fastest person (or team) to find all the checkpoints wins.
- Variety of Terrain: Orienteering can be done on wooded trails, open fields, or even in urban areas (called Urban Orienteering).
Learn More
What should I expect at a typical orienteering meet (from Quantico Orienteering)
Basics on using a compass
Using the map and compass together for orienteering