Celebrating Our Volunteers, the Unsung Heroes

Notice for the 2026 AOA AGM
Please join us at the AOA All General Meeting
Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 6:30 PM
Online Zoom meeting
Please register below, and the meeting link will be emailed to you.
Register for the AGM or download the Proxy form.
AGM voting and meeting information :
All FWOC and EOOC club members are also Alberta Orienteering Association members. Every member 18 years and older is eligible to vote at the AGM. If you cannot attend, please send a proxy vote; download it and send it back ( picture or any other form) to [email protected].

Membership Drive Campaign

WIN PRIZES!□
Renew your membership, or invite a friend to join with you!
ALL membership sign-ups before May 31st will be entered into monthly prize draws (March, April, May) for some orienteering gear and outdoor goodies!

Already signed up as a member? You're automatically in the draw, but you can help us encourage others to join!

We need YOU to help us spread the word and win Prizes!
□ Adventure is calling, Alberta! □

By becoming a member, you help strengthen the orienteering community. Even if you can’t attend events, your membership makes a meaningful donation to support programs, mapping, and outreach.
Orienteering is a great way to meet active, outdoor-minded people and enjoy nature in a fun, family-friendly setting.
Your membership allows you to participate in any orienteering event—local, regional, or national.
Visit our WBSITE for details

Sign-up Options:

Edmonton Overlanders Orienteering Club (EOOC) $40/adult, $10/junior
Foothills Wanderers Orienteering Club (FWOC) Calgary area: $20 /adult, $15/youth
AOA Outreach Membership: limited to outside of club areas — $5 individual

Looking back at 2025

From the desk of Bogi Gyorfi, Executive Director

In 2025, the Alberta Orienteering Association made significant progress on its 2024–2027 Strategic Plan, offering inclusive programs, hosting major events, and achieving record levels of participation across the province. We recorded over 25,000 participations through club activities, outreach, and school programs, supported by funding from the Government of AB, SPAR, the Every Kid Can Play grants, Casino proceeds, and program revenues. Notable highlights included EOOC hosting the Alberta Championships and the collaboration with FWOC for the Canadian Orienteering Festival 2025, which featured nine high-level races, including world-ranking events and extensive officials’ mentoring, as well as support for the national training camp and more social and fun activities. We also expanded the “Try It” and school programs in various communities and updated maps and permanent courses. Although regular club membership experienced a slight decline, overall participation reached record levels, largely due to the Every Kid Can Play grant, which contributed $57,500 over a two-year period. With 951 regular members and a total of 25,057 participants, along with an expanding social media presence, 2025 demonstrated the strength of our volunteer-driven community and our partnerships with FWOC, EOOC, and provincial supporters, especially from Red Deer. Our next key goal is to transform this participation growth into sustained membership growth across our clubs. A big thank you to our dedicated volunteers, clubs (FWOC and EOOC), and supporters for another impactful year!

All of our detailed reports and 2026 plans can be found on our website.

Celebrating Our Volunteers, the Unsung Heroes

New AOA Community Builder Volunteer Recognition award!

The newly established Unsung Heroes award celebrates dedicated volunteers whose ongoing, behind-the-scenes contributions have quietly strengthened orienteering across Alberta. This new annual recognition highlights individuals whose community spirit, long-term commitment, and positive impact often go unnoticed within traditional recognition categories. The award showcases the inclusive and grassroots nature of our sport by honouring up to two individuals each year whose efforts embody the true heart of the orienteering community. Visit details for the NOMINATION here.

CONGRATULATIONS to Garry and Cheryl as the first recipients of the award!
Garry and Cheryl Atchison are cherished community builders from the Edmonton Overlanders Orienteering Club (EOOC), celebrated as our first “Unsung Heroes” for their steadfast, behind-the-scenes support of orienteering events spanning decades. As dedicated volunteers, they’ve taken on countless essential roles — from not only serving as board members, coordinating casino fundraisers and setting up event sites (their familiar grey camper is a sure early-morning sign you’ve arrived at the right spot), to storing the club’s equipment and trailer at their home for many years. Garry is often seen biking out with hundreds of litres of water for the courses or collecting controls, while Cheryl’s friendly smile greets participants at the refreshment table, the camp's kitchens, or at the start line, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Together, they’ve also opened their home to out-of-town orienteering officials and maintained a standing invitation to all orienteers for their beloved annual potluck Christmas dinner. Their contributions to the EOOC are immeasurable — ensuring seamless operations and helping to strengthen the roots of Alberta’s orienteering community. Their quiet dedication truly embodies the spirit celebrated by the AOA’s new award.

Celebrating Our Athletes

Alberta athletes continue to make us proud! Last year, with the Canadian Orienteering Festival (COF2025) hosted right here in Alberta was even easier to claim those bragging rights!
Huge congratulations to Alberta’s own Robyn Astridge, Andrew McLaren, Gavan Winn, Grace Mahoney, Gabriel Smith, and Emilia Smith on being named to Orienteering Canada’s 2026 National and Development Teams!
Follow their journeys and meet the full Team Canada squad here: https://orienteering.ca/team-canada/athletes

Officials's Message

Officials Are the Heart of Our Events
Did you know every orienteering event, big or small, requires certified officials to organize it? Orienteering Canada (OC) offers O100–O400 certification levels, so even with limited experience, you can start your journey by helping with small club events. Join a team, learn, and enjoy rewarding interactions—nothing beats planning a course that others love!

Important for Certified Officials !!!
Please complete the log and email it to OC to keep your records current. Download the form here and send it back; after 5 years of inactivity, the certification expires.
Email it to:[email protected]

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL'S ACTIVITY LOG

AOA Sport Policy Updates

AOA has recently updated many of its sport policies to align with current national and provincial standards.
The new Air Quality policy has been updated to help with guidance for air quality and orienteering events: Navigating Air Quality Risks.
We are also pleased to announce the implementation of the Alberta Safe Sport Complaint Mechanism (ABSSCM) and a third‑party independent mechanism to help keep sport in our province safe for everyone. To learn more about our Safe Sport framework and related policies, please visit the Safe Sport page on the AOA website:

Promoting Orienteering
Clubs and Programs

Club programs and events are planned and ready to roll—help us fill them up!
EVENTS CALENDAR AND ANNUAL PLANNING CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE.

Mentionable events for upcoming season:

March 13-15 - Sprint Camp - Vancouver, BC. GVOC
April 26 - FWOC's Spring Opener at Rumsey
May 3 - EOOC's Blackfoot COC Middle revisited
May 9 - EOOC's Morningside
May 23 - FWOC's Run the Wild at Beaver Lake
May 30 - EOOC forest event Brunderheim
July 25 - August 2 - COC 2026 - Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
August 8-9 - AOC ALBERTA CHAMPIONSHIPS - Lusk Creek ( group campground booked)
Oct 17 - AOA round-up and volunteer appreciation event, Red Deer

Please share with your friends and reach out to encourage more participation.
Click on the pictures below to find out more!

AOA Casino

Please save the date for the upcoming AOA casino:
August 11-12, 2026, Pure Casino, Calgary.
Thank you for helping orienteering thrive in Alberta — your support means so much!

Hope to see you with a compass and map soon!

Copyright © AOA. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Alberta Orienteering Association
Box 1576 Cochrane, Alberta
T4C 1B5 Canada

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Alberta Orienteering Association · PO box 1576 · Cochrane, Alberta T4C 1B5 · Canada

2025 Fall Newsletter

10/20/2025

AOA News and Events

2025 Canadian Orienteering Festival: Stories from the Forest

The Canadian Orienteering Festival (COF) was a landmark event in 2025— six internationally scoped races, including two world ranking events, plus the three-day Sass Peepre junior training camp, the Team Canada Fundraiser Relay, a festive banquet, camping, and countless moments of community connection. It brought together orienteers for two exhilarating weeks of competition, learning, and connection. 300 participants, from newcomers to veterans, every participant left with a "real orienteering" experience of tired legs and full hearts.

For long-time competitor Nicki R, the festival was a joyful reminder of why this sport never grows old. “It was the greenest green I’ve ever encountered on an orienteering map,” she wrote, describing the unusually lush and rain-fed Alberta forests. Between the challenging middle distance at the WCOC and an unforgettable sprint through the sheep herd at Fort Saskatchewan, Nicki found magic not only in the races but in the community moments — walking to the arena with friends, cheering on 90-year-old racers, and singing around a campfire. Her reflections remind us that orienteering is more than sport; it’s a timeless antidote to modern distractions.

For Emilia S, the experience was transformative. Started with the SOGO Adventure Running program, she described her first big forest races as both intimidating and empowering. The Sass Peepre Junior Camp was a highlight, turning 10 km of training into an adventure shared with new friends. Learning to focus on one map section at a time, she discovered the thrill of independence and the satisfaction of every successful control. “Each control point is like a mini win,” Emilia shared, adding that the COF races have boosted both her confidence and cross-country readiness for school this fall.

And behind every great event are the volunteers. New FWOC member Linda H found joy and connection in the simple act of handing out refreshments at the finish line. “Participants couldn’t stop thanking me,” she reflected. Watching racers of all ages, from children to seniors, she felt inspired to keep learning and stay engaged. Her story perfectly captures how volunteering connects us to the heartbeat of the orienteering community.

The COF 2025 was not just a festival of races—it was a celebration of people, perseverance, and passion for the outdoors. Whether you were mapping routes, setting up tents, bushwacking through the green, or slicing fruit in the tent, every effort contributed to a summer we’ll never forget.
The WCOC photos are still available here for your download.
Here is a glimpse of WCOC, the bird's-eye view (sounds-on).

Our Heroes Are Our Volunteers

We may be a small sport community, but we have a big mission—to grow and advance orienteering across the country—and that is only possible through the thousands of volunteer hours contributed each year.

The masterminds, organizers, and doers of this sport give not only their time but also their energy, creativity, and enthusiasm. Every single person involved deserves recognition, but a few heroic efforts stand out. Special thanks to Marsha Fehr, WCOC Director, and to Geraint Edmunds, Dorothy Penner, and Mary-Lou Hogg, COC Directors. Their dedication over the past two years kept the Canadian Orienteering Festival preparations on track and ensured everything came together seamlessly.

We also extend heartfelt thanks to the course planners and controllers who made countless site visits to perfect every map and control, as well as the on-site teams—timing, start crews, safety and first aid personnel, refreshment volunteers, and setup crews—who brought it all to life during event days.

Each year, the Alberta Orienteering Association proudly recognizes club volunteers who stand out for their exceptional contributions to orienteering in Alberta. While we wish we could personally thank every individual, we hope that together with each club’s recognition efforts, our provincial criteria help ensure everyone feels appreciated for their dedication and hard work.
Thank you all—you’re amazing!

The AOA volunteer recognition criteria

AOA board members
Auditor of AOA
Orienteering Club’s presidents
Canada Cup (A Meet) main organizers
Forest event (B-Meet) main organizers
Someone who has done something significant specifically for the AOA.(e.g OC board and committee members).

JOIN US!

It’s not too late to join us! Just send us an email asap to confirm your attendance, and we’ll add you to the event.

Celebrating our athletes

What a summer! Alberta not only hosted the Canadian Orienteering Festival, but our members also had great success on competition day. Exploring new maps across the province was truly exciting. Congratulations to everyone who participated, and special kudos to the medalists!

Special congratulations to our Alberta athletes on the Team Canada Program: Gavin Winn, Grace Mahoney, Andrew McLaren, and Robyn Astridge.They’ve been compted on the international stage and are now wrapping up a busy season. Look for some of their stories in the next AOA newsletter!

Application Deadlines
The deadline for the AOA High Performance Grant Application is December 1st. Apply here.
Applications for the Orienteering Canada Team Canada Program closes on November 15th. More info here.

OFFICIAL'S Records Needed

If you’re already on your way through the Officials Program, please send in your record. Orienteering Canada needs to update your status so you can stay active and continue your well-appreciated work.
Congratulations to Marsha, who spent two years preparing for the WCOC as Event Director and successfully met all the requirements. After submitting her records, she has now achieved one of the highest certification levels in the province—O300! Also, a big thank-you to Marion, who served as the IOF Event Adviser for the world ranking events this summer and is one of the few in the country to hold the prestigious O400 certification.

If you’re interested in getting more involved as an event organizer and want to learn more about the sport, consider taking the Officials Course! The O100 is an informative and fun introduction where you’ll gain valuable knowledge you can apply to your own orienteering events. There’s nothing more rewarding than understanding your volunteer role while helping out—it’s a win-win, and it’s free!
Courses coming up in the spring.

Club Programs

The local Wednesday evening orienteering events wrapped up for the season, but there are still opportunities to get out and stay connected.
Both Calgary’s FWOC and Edmonton’s EOOC host occasional club events through the winter.

FWOC Winter Orienteering - Toques 'n Training Events (TNTs)

Winter orienteering is a great way to keep your skills up while getting in some fitness and fresh air and staying connected!

Summer 2025 Newsletter

7/22/2025

AOA News and Events

Be part of the Canadian Orienteering Festival in Alberta!

August 15-24, 2025

Join us for the Canadian Orienteering Festival or Skill Development Camp in August!

It is not too late to register for the COF 2025! We invite everyone—beginners, seasoned orienteers, families, and friends—to join us for an unforgettable adventure and connect with the orienteering community. Whether you want to compete, discover the sport, or help out behind the scenes, we welcome both participants and volunteers. Your enthusiasm, energy, and support are what make this event possible—come be part of the excitement! You can find all the details of the events, fun socials, and camping options on the website.

Registration closes August 8th. Sign up here

Interested in volunteering? Sign up here

Celebrating Our Athletes

We’re incredibly proud of our athletes who have represented us on the world stage this season!

Special congratulations to Gavan Winn and Grace Mahoney from FWOC on making their debuts at the Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC)!

The Senior Team Canada athletes have achieved outstanding results at the World Orienteering Championships (WOC), with impressive performances in both the individual event (Vegard placing 16th in the Long distance) and the Team Relay, where Canada finished 11th!
Let’s continue celebrating and supporting our young orienteers as they reach new heights!

TEAM RELAY AT WOC 2025

SUPPORT THE TEAM CANADA ATHLETES

We're seeking donations for our annual silent auction at the Canadian Orienteering Festival banquet on Saturday, August 23rd. Ideal items include crafts, art, food, or orienteering supplies, outdoorsy items. Drop off any donations at any WCOC/COC event registration desk, or contact us to arrange pickup if you’re unable to attend. All proceeds support Team Canada’s athletes through coaching and training at home and internationally.
Learn more: orienteering.ca/posts/auctions2025

Thank you for your support!

Clubs and Programs

There are plenty of opportunities to get out and have fun at our local Wednesday evening orienteering events! Both Calgary’s FWOC and Edmonton’s EOOC host club events every Wednesday night, with Red Deer planning to offer even more this fall. Did you know that all the club events are organized by volunteers? It’s amazing—so come out, enjoy the adventure, and be sure to compliment their hard work!

Fall Kids & Youth Programs
Explore our featured programs

SOGO Adventure Running - Calgary and Bragg Creek

Kids Run Wild- Edmonton and area

Red Deer Outreach

Orienteering in the News!

We're excited to share that Kids Run Wild Program Director, Dorothy has a new article featured in Outdoor Play Magazine!
Her piece, “Orienteering for Life – From Young Explorers to Life-long Athletes,” introduces readers to the sport of orienteering—what it is, how it works, and why it's such a rewarding activity for all ages. Check out the magazine cover and the first page of the article.

SPring Newsletter 2025

7/21/2025

AOA News and Events

Message from the AOA President

Hello Alberta Orienteers!

I must admit that the first day of spring really caught me by surprise. Here I was, dillydallying around, thinking I had plenty of time to get all of my orienteering-related tasks done before the start of the season, whereas, ‘lo and behold’ not so much!
It has been a busy winter, between the activities of the AOA Board and the clubs in furthering the sport of orienteering province-wide, to many club members (including members of the AOA board), ramping up the preparations for the 2025 Canadian Orienteering Festival, being held in Alberta this summer (registration now open!).
The AOA, primarily through our fabulous Executive Director, Bogi Gyorfi, has again been successful in obtaining funding from the Alberta Every Kid Can Play initiative, to help further the sport of orienteering beyond Calgary and Edmonton. However, this funding has also let the AOA increase our support to the clubs, which in turn leverages club efforts in their orienteering programs.
Many of your fellow orienteers will be heavily involved in getting ready for the aforementioned 20025 COF, while at the same time, making sure you have those weekly Wednesday evening events to enjoy, and hopefully, a few week-end forest events, such as FWOC’s Spring Opener, April 27th at Rumsey, and EOOC’s Alberta Championships, May 17&18 at Blackfoot provincial park. Whether you come to an orienteering event simply for the sheer pleasure of being outside in nature, or are determined to improve your times on the courses that are set, there will be something for everyone at these events.
Lastly, I will be hanging up my president’s gavel at the AOA Annual General Meeting on April 10th, as I have maxed-out the number of years that I can be president, as set out in our by-laws. So, if you want to run for the AOA Board, or simply want to attend to find out the highlights of the past year, please register for this online meeting. And to those wonderful people on the AOA Board: there could not have been a finer group more dedicated to supporting the sport of orienteering in Alberta. It was my sincere pleasure and privilege working with you these past four years.
Kim Kasperski
AOA President

Dear Kim,

On behalf of the Alberta Orienteering Community, I extend our deepest gratitude for your four years as AOA President and over a decade of unwavering support, dedicating thousands of volunteer hours to help Alberta orienteering thrive.Your contributions are truly remarkable!

Your accomplishments speak volumes: serving as AOA president twice and as a vital board member, your leadership has been essential. With your scientific analysis, warm and calm demeanor, and exceptional organizational skills, you’ve guided us with strength and grace. Beyond AOA, you’ve been an integral part of the Edmonton club, serving as a board member, key official, and extraordinary volunteer. From planning national-level courses to assisting with map printing and equipment maintenance, no task—big or small—has been beyond your willingness to lend a hand.

You are an amazing hero and an ever-active member of our community. We simply could not do this without you. THANK YOU!

With heartfelt appreciation from AOA board and members!

We need you!

2025 AOA AGM

You are invited to the 2025 AOA AGM.
Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Online Zoom meeting
Please register below and the meeting link will be emailed to you.

Proxy Form

AGM Documents
AGM voting and meeting information :
All FWOC and EOOC club members are also Alberta Orienteering Association members. Every member 18 years and older is eligible to vote at the AGM . If you cannot attend please send a proxy vote; download it and send it back ( picture or any other form) to [email protected].

Join us to win a Silva headlamp as a door prize!

AGM Documents and the meeting link will be posted on our website.

2024 Highlights

2024 AOA achievements summary

From the desk of Bogi Gyorfi, Executive Director

2024 was a standout year for Orienteering Alberta as we launched our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan with energy and purpose. Here’s what we achieved together:

Membership: In 2024, AOA saw a total of 21,646 engagements in orienteering across Alberta. Regular membership included 625 FWOC members, 238 EOOC members, and 112 AOA Outreach members, totaling 987 regular members. Day memberships were strong, with 312 AOA, 744 EOOC, and 374 FWOC day members. School programs thrived, reaching 4,504 FWOC students, 12,085 EOOC students, and 2,640 AOA students.
Thriving Events: The club delivered so many outstanding events! Besides the regular Wednesday city events many forest opportunities were offered. The Alberta Championships shone with 138 participants across three races, supported by FWOC and an AOA BBQ. Our Training Camp drew 30 attendees, and prep for COC 2025 advanced with new maps despite permit hiccups
Outreach Success: Nearly 6,000 young Albertans connected with nature through 30 EKCP programs, including 7 “Try It” sessions (323 participants) and a 6-week Airdrie youth program. Red Deer and Airdrie outreach grew, with 320 community session participants.
School Impact: AOA alone reached 2,643 high school students and 1,453 elementary kids via the EKCP grant, keeping spring and fall sessions fully booked.
Funding Strength: Secured $41,800 (SPAR), $79,762 (Casino, received in 2025), $30,000 (EKCP), and $1,200 (ParticipAction), fueling our growth. Outreach programs added $12,236 in revenue, reinvested into the sport.
Athlete Pride: Albertans medaled at Canadian and North American Championships, with Robyn Astridge and Andrew McLaren representing Team Canada internationally. Congrats!
Community Heroes: Marsha Fehr earned the Administrator of Distinction Hall of Fame award from Orienteering Canada. Clarence Kort, Gabrielle Savard, and Dorothy Penner were nominated for Orienteering Canada's Coaching Leadership Hall of Fame. Thank you to all the volunteers who were celebrated with memorabilia at club events and an AOC BBQ.

All of our detailed reports and 2025 plans can be found on our website.

2025 Success to be continued

Every Kid Can Play (EKCP) Program Grant

A True Collaboration Success: $57,500 Granted to Support Orienteering Programs in Alberta
We’re thrilled to continue our second year with the Every Kid Can Play grant, receiving $27,500 to build on 2024’s achievements, alongside last year's $30,000 to support Alberta Orienteering. Thanks to the Government of Alberta, for the grant and our amazing club's staff, EOOC (Dorothy), SOGO at school (Tiffany, Kim, and Josephina), the Red Deer coaches (Lisa and Karen) Airdrie, and other outreach efforts (Bogi) for making this project such a success!

2025 Events

Ready, Set, Go >>>>> SIGN UP NOW!!!

April 2025 - Spring Opener- Rumsey Forest B event by FWOC
May 17 - 18, 2025 - Alberta Orienteering Championships -by EOOC on the Waskehegan map.
June 6 - 8, 2025 - Sage Stomp - near Kelowna, hosted by Sage Orienteering
June 21, 2025 - WCOC Terrain Training Day - Come check out terrain similar to the WCOC map and get in some orienteering training!
July 27, 2025 - Elbow Bluffs Forest B event by FWOC
August 15-24,2025 Canadian Orienteering Festival 2025, you simply can't miss this!!! Early Bird savings ends on April 30th.

Program:
August 15-18 - Western Canadian Orienteering Championships
August 19-22 - Sass Peepre Skills Development Camp
August 21-24 - Canadian Orienteering Championships, including the Team Canada Fundraiser!

Sept 6 - 7, 2025 - Pothole lake 2-Day GVOC event in Merritt, BC.
Oct 10 -13, 2025 - BC Orienteering Champs KOC in Cranbrook, BC.

Celebrating our athletes

Last year, Albertans traveled to numerous Canadian events and brought home countless medals. We’re eager to build on that success! This year, with the COF2025 the Canadian and Western Championships hosted in-province, it’ll be even easier to claim those bragging rights. We’re also expecting strong participation on the international stage, as many of our young athletes have been selected for Team Canada to represent our country at JWOC and World Cups. Congrats to our future generation!
If you spot our athletes at local events, please say hi and cheer them on. Also, if you’re looking for a tax donation receipt, your support can help these athletes on their journey to the world stage!

Officials's Message

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL'S ACTIVITY LOG

O200 course in Calgary

FWOC is planning on holding an O200 clinic for people who already have O100 status and want to go to the next level. Planned for Sunday, May 4 or 18th. For more information contact Marion at [email protected].

Clubs and programs

Club programs and events are planned and ready to roll—help us fill them up! Please share with your friends and reach out to encourage more participation.Click on the below pictures to find out more!

Promoting Orienteering!

We made it to the paper! Check out this exciting article about our program. Find it here!

Hope to see you with a compass and map soon!

Happy Holidays & A Look Back at 2024

12/23/2024

AOA News and Events

Message from the AOA President

Hello Alberta orienteers,

I realize that many of you will be thinking more of the upcoming holiday season, and winter activities than of orienteering. But I wanted to let you know of what I consider to be highlights and key developments for Alberta orienteering in 2024.
One of the best accomplishments this year, which the AOA Executive Director, Bogi Gyorfi, will likely mention, are the thousands (literally!) of children that participated in orienteering this year, thanks to the effort of EOOC, FWOC, and, the AOA. These efforts were in part supported by a grant from the Alberta government, the ‘Every Kid Can Play’ initiative, which Bogi was successful in obtaining again for the coming year.
What also supports the school and junior programs are the funds the AOA receives by our members volunteering at casinos. The AOA casino alternates between Calgary and Edmonton, and this time it was the Edmonton orienteers turn. Thank you to all of you who braved the less-than-ideal driving conditions earlier this month to stand your shifts. Not only do these funds help the various junior and school programs, but also help support the creation or updating of (as the case may be) our forest maps. This has been especially key this year, and for next, because of the upcoming Canadian Orienteering Festival 2025 (COF25). Calgary orienteers will be hosting the Western Canadian Championship (August 15-18), and Edmonton orienteers the Canadian Championship (August 22-24). New maps are being created for both events, and will be a legacy for the local clubs to use for years to come.
For over a year volunteers have been busy with the planning for COF25, from creating the orienteering courses, directing the mapping, planning logistics, running t-shirt design contests, testing the courses (in the heat of summer and bitter cold of November), planning the IT and software needs for the events, working with land owners to obtain permissions, and so on, and so on. It is a huge and complex effort, especially as two of the races will be World Ranking Events, for which the International Orienteering Federation has stringent requirements. Hundreds of volunteer hours have already been put in, and even more will be needed, especially as we get closer to the event - so stay tuned for calls for volunteers. □ Many of the roles do not require an expertise in orienteering, so keep August 2025 in mind if you will be looking for something to do!
And speaking of volunteers, while the AOA recognises key event officials and club organizers, some of who put in many hundreds of hours, including hundreds of kilometres of travelling to sites and walking through forests and over plains to design orienteering courses, there are so many of you who lend a hand, whether offering to pick up controls on a Wednesday night or register participants or mark them in as they finish, hand out maps to school kids, and more – all of which are so welcome to your fellow club member / volunteer who planned and put on the courses. Thank you, to you all!
All of you have my sincere wish for a safe and happy holiday season, and I hope to see you again on the trails in 2025. Map and compass in hand.

Sincerely,
Kim Kasperski
President, Alberta Orienteering Association

Thank You Volunteers!

A big thank you!

To all our amazing volunteers, your dedication and hard work are the backbone of our orienteering events. Thank you for not only volunteering but for building a welcoming and supportive community. You're the heroes behind the scenes, and we deeply appreciate all that you do. From casino shifts to program coaching, events, and board meetings, every effort contributes to our success. Our gratitude extends to everyone involved—not just those named but all who support orienteering.
(AOA has an official criteria for which we give special thanks each year.)
The AOA volunteer recognition criteria

AOA board members
Auditor of AOA
Orienteering Club’s presidents
Canada Cup (A Meet) main organizers
Forest event (B-Meet) main organizers
Someone who has done something especially significant for AOA (e.g. OC board involvement, special committees).

AOA Event Highlights: Celebrating Our Achievements

FWOC/ AOA training camp

Alberta Training Camp organized by Foothills Orienteering (FWOC) was an incredible experience! Participants enjoyed challenging terrain, fantastic courses and activities, stunning views, fun group camping, and perfect weather. A huge thank-you goes out to our amazing volunteers: main organizer, event planner and coach Marsha, activity planner and coach Finley and Kitty, and race planner, Teresa.

AOC 2024 - Alberta Orienteering Championship

Contribution of FWOC newsletter:
"Alberta celebrated its 50th anniversary in grand style with a classic combined event on the Sandy McNabb map at the 2024 Alberta Orienteering Championships. The AOCs were a resounding success, thanks to the incredible combination of stellar terrain, stunning views, and the warm camaraderie of the orienteering community. Held in some of the most beautiful wilderness Alberta has to offer, the event featured courses that took full advantage of the landscape, challenging both seasoned veterans and newcomers alike.
It wasn’t just the orienteering that stood out this year. One of the highlights of the weekend was our group campsite, which turned out to be the perfect base camp for the event. Nestled among the trees, it provided an ideal spot to relax after each day's race, share stories, and enjoy the spectacular surroundings.
And of course, we can’t talk about this year’s AOCs without mentioning Bogi’s legendary BBQ. As usual, she knocked it out of the park, cooking up a feast that drew everyone together. People lingered long after the meal, enjoying each other's company well into the evening. There’s just something about Bogi’s BBQ that creates a sense of community and
connection—it’s a highlight everyone looks forward to year after year."
Look at the RETO GEAR!

AOA Outreach - Impressive participation growth

This year, AOA-managed programs engaged 5,044 participants across several initiatives. The AOA residency high school program led the way with 2,643 participants, followed by the EKCP

Grant program, which reached 1,453 participants. Other highlights include the Red Deer Community programs with 320 participants. We are very thankful to our outreach coaches, Lisa and Karen, who support our programs without a club behind them. Additional programs included the Participation Grant programs (323), the Airdrie youth program (204), and the Calgary TRY IT programs (101).
Did you know that seven years ago there was no AOA lead outreach participation? We are proud of our progress and growth in the past few years and hope to continue with this trend.

Pathfinders Every Kid Can Play (EKCP) Program Grant

A True Collaboration Success: $57,500 Granted to Support Orienteering Programs in Alberta

A huge THANK YOU to the Government of Alberta and the Every Kid Can Play grant we received, which helped us to provide these amazing programs! With FWOC/SOGO and EOOC/KRW support, and AOA Red Deer & Airdrie outreach, nearly 6,000 participants across Alberta had the chance to connect with nature, build skills, and enjoy the outdoors through 30 programs, 14 schools, and 9 communities through trying orienteering.
We are so excited to receive next year's support to continue the work we've started with our clubs and partners.
Together, we're making outdoor recreation accessible for so many kids. Thank you to the clubs EOOC (Dorothy), SOGO at school (Tiffany, Kim, and Josephina), and the Red Deer coaches (Lisa and Karen) for making this year such a success!

Celebrating our athletes and outstanding results from Albertans

Albertans were highly active in 2024, attending not only local events but also major ones like the Canadian Championships, North American Championships, and Westerns. We know how much work goes into these events, and nothing is more rewarding for the organizers than seeing participants from across Canada. Congratulations to everyone who made the trip and supported the Canadian orienteering community this year.

Athletes Highlight

Below are some stories from our Team Canada and Junior Athletes.

We are so proud of you and excited to follow your successes next year!
We will continue to provide the AOA grants to support these young athletes, enabling them to attend competitions where they represent Canada and Alberta.

Andrew McLaren

This year marked my first year properly in the M21 class. While I have been running up to M21 in previous years, this was finally the time when I no longer had a choice thus it did not have much of an impact on me aside from the major championship races where I had been running my age class. Given that I was no longer eligible for JWOC and that I didn't have too much of an interest in a sprint WOC or a WUOC without a long I decided to set NAOC as my main races of the season with the COCs the weekend before as also high priority. While I didn't get any medals, I came home with 3 IOF diplomas and felt that I was very consistent across all my races, which I'm quite happy about given that this was 7 races across 9 days and I did not have any substantial blowups. Two highlights of my results from that week were making the knockout sprint final and being a part of the Canadian podium sweep at the NAOC middle. Going forward I want to continue to work on developing my forest speed, as well as maintaining focus at these higher speeds, especially during longer races which I hope will lead me to better results wherever I go in 2025.

Robyn Astrige

This summer I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to compete at JWOC 2024 in Pilsen, sprint WOC 2024 in Edinburgh, and NAOC 2024 in Ontario.
Preparation for my summer of racing began in earnest with the spring running season, where I raced some road races and put together a solid running build, peaking for the end of June. Throughout the spring and early summer, my training partners and I in Vancouver did a lot of sprint-specific training (set by New Zealand elite Gene Beveridge, who was in Vancouver for the last two years), including intervals, line-o’s, race simulations, barrier trainings, and planning ahead exercises. Towards the end of May, a group of four of us from Vancouver went on a week-long training camp in interior British Columbia and Whistler, visiting nine maps in six days, from Kelowna, to Kamloops, to Whistler. We topped off the week with some racing at Sage Stomp in Salmon Arm on the first weekend of June.
I was back in Calgary, Alberta for two short weeks before beginning my month-long trip to Europe in mid-June.
First stop: Amsterdam for a few days to visit family. Then, a quick flight to Oslo to stay with Team Canada teammate Vegard Jarvis Westergard and race at O-Festivallen in Lillehammer. It was an eye-opening experience to finally race in Scandinavia and I cannot wait to get the chance to do it again.

Gavan Winn

This year I turned 18, finished high school, and am currently studying chemistry at the University of Calgary and an avid orienteer. This season my highlights were definitely the COCs/NAOCs in Ontario and the WCOCs in Manitoba. The WCOCs in Manitoba started off very well as I finished first in my category (though I was the only person competing in my category) and fourth on my course in the sprint and third on my course in the middle. The long started off well but about halfway through I really crashed and slowed down a lot. I managed to keep my navigation tight and picked good route choices but I couldn't really run so I lost a lot of time. That being said it was the longest course I’ve ever done and I think I did well all things considered. The highlight of my season was definitely the COCs and the NAOCs in Ontario which went pretty well. I got third and fifth in the middle and long respectively which I was racing in U16 for and for the rest of the races I decided to race in U20 to get some more experience running harder courses. The sprint didn't go as well as most of my other races because I made quite a big mistake on one control in a multi-level area but I managed to get fourth. After that was the club relay where our FWOC team won our category and my race went pretty well. Then after that I had definitely my best race of the season which was the knockout sprints. I qualified in 6th place in my qualifier (there were 3 different qualifiers with 12 people qualifying from each) and finished 3rd in my quarter-final which put me in the semis and in the top 18 overall I finished 5th in my semi so I didn't make it to the finals but I did a lot better than I expected. The last 2 races were the middle and long for the NAOCs and I finished 3rd and 5th respectively on some of the most challenging courses I have ever raced. Overall I had an amazing season this year and I’m super excited to keep training for some even bigger races next season!

Grace Mahoney

This year was my first IOF ranking event, and I had such a great time! The North American Championships were in Ontario this year, in Kingston and Calabogie. My favourite race at this event (and best result) was without a doubt the sprint race at the Kingston Penitentiary, which was such an awesome experience! The course took us inside the grounds of the penitentiary, and was absolutely the coolest map I’ve ever run on. I came second in this race, which was my best result of the week! I also had a super cool opportunity to race in the National Team youth relay, which was my first ever orienteering relay (during which Canada totally crushed the US). Aside from the races, camping with everyone was also so much fun! There were some intense gaga ball games, swimming, and training camp activities that were super great, especially because everyone is super close. In October, I also got to head to Scranton, Pennsylvania for USA Nationals, where I had one solid sprint race, and a couple questionable forest races. It was so nice to see everyone again, especially some of the American orienteerers I met over the summer! Following these (mostly) successful races, I am super excited for next season, and hopefully racing in a couple more big events!

On the radar for next year, save the date...

Did you know that both clubs are working tirelessly to put on next year Canadian and Western Canadian Orienteering Championships? It will be a very exciting and busy time. Join us as a participant or volunteer to be part of this fun festival.

Enjoy 9 days of thrilling competitive orienteering races, including the Canadian Orienteering Championships, Western Canadian Orienteering Championships, and World Ranking Events. For more details check out the website. Planning to open registration mid-January!
COF 2025 Website

□ Announcing Our T-Shirt Design Contest Winner! □
We are thrilled to announce the winner of our T-shirt design contest! After much anticipation, the votes are in and the chosen design is the stunning Rainbow Beaver Dam, created by the incredibly talented Amanda Edmunds! Amanda has won a fantastic package for the Canadian Orienteering Festival 2025.

Have a wonderful holiday season & see you back orienteering soon!

2024 March Newsletter

3/20/2024

AOA News and Events