McDowell Nature Preserve & Park (RESULTS)

Long lines form when there aren’t enough volunteers….

Wow – what a start to the 2019/2020 orienteering season!  We never know how many folks will show up and without any pre-registration available (website under construction) – we had to plan in the dark.  263 people went out on five courses which is a tremendous amount of participants.  With only six volunteers on hand to manage things – that’s 1 volunteer for every 43 participants…..

The club thought we had 100 maps on hand; but apparently only 60 were present.  So, we ran out within minutes and had to make an emergency trip to the closest office supply store to make more.  I know folks contacted me ahead of time; but it’s first-come/first-served with maps.  Everyone was eventually accommodated with only a slight delay in operations.

The COK is an all-volunteer organization that relies on people who love the sport and who want to enhance outdoor opportunities for the community.  The club’s inventory of volunteers is rapidly diminishing at the same time as the popularity is rapidly increasing.  In fact, 90% of participants come from JROTC programs; but no volunteers do.  Without a new influx of volunteers – these unique events may not exist.  Please contact the club if you have the time and inclination to help out.  This is especially critical for meet directors who put all the pieces together to make events happen!

A special thanks is in order to Marlene & David, Bill & Barbara, Jennifer & Kris, and Tricia (with Pepper) – all treasured volunteers!

EVENT RESULTS (Runner/Time in Minutes:Seconds)