2022 AOA SPRING Newsletter

3/18/2022

AOA News and Events

Message from the AOA President

Hello Alberta Orienteers, from those just starting out, to those who have run the forests and plains for years. Welcome, all to the 2022 orienteering season!

I am crossing my fingers and holding my breath, hoping that we can get back to more in-person events this season. The one common thread that I have heard this winter is that people really miss seeing their fellow orienteers in person. To that end, the AOA has increased its budget for events where people can come to together and share their mutual enjoyment of our sport.
Something special to look forward to in July is the running of the much-postponed Western Canadian Orienteering Championship, put on by our friends at FWOC, and the associated Canadian Orienteering Championship, put on by our B.C. friends at the Kootenay Orienteering Club. A special opportunity between these two events, will be to take in two Barebones events near Blairmore, in southern Alberta.
For those chomping at the bit, FWOC is hoping to put on their traditional spring opener at Rumsey on Sunday, May 1st, and EOOC is also hoping to put on an event in Morningside two weeks later. So, dust off your compass, and get ready for orienteering in 2022. I hope to see you on the trails!

Kim Kasperski

Save the date:

Alberta Orienteering Association
AGM

7 pm, April 19, 2022

Zoom meeting

Please register below to receive an email with the Zoom link. The link will be also posted on our website just before the event starts.

All participants at the AOA AGM on April 19, 2022 will be entered to win an entry to the WCOC!
It's a win-win situation! Not sure what WCOC is?
Read on to learn about the Western Canadian Orienteering Championships below.

Plan for a great vacation this summer!

The Foothills Wanderers Orienteering Club (FWOC), AOA and the Kootenay Orienteering Club have teamed up to organize the 2022 Canadian Rockies Orienteering Festival, July 1 to July 10, 2022.

We invite you to join us for the 2022 Western Canadian Orienteering Championships (WCOC) and the 2022 Canadian Orienteering Championships (COC) on some of the best terrain in Canada with spectacular surroundings. For both championships, there will be three races: sprint, middle and long distances as well as model event. All races will be on new or fully revised high-quality maps.

Don't let the name intimidate you. These events are also family and beginner-friendly, both championship and open/recreational classes will be available. You can even try it in a group setting.

NEW ! We will also be orienteering for the first time ever in the Crowsnest Pass in SW Alberta. The perfect stop as you make your way from the Westerns to the Sass Peepre Camp and the Canadians.

The Canadian Rockies offer plenty of outdoor recreational activities for everyone … checkout out the tourism pages of the cities of Calgary, Banff, Canmore, Blairmore, Cranbrook and Kimberley!
Registration is coming soon! We are setting up a new system so please bear with us.

Planning calendar for Alberta 2022

Check out the Alberta and close-by events. It looks like we are back with a full set of offerings. From the usual Wednesday night club events to forest events, training opportunities and Provincial / Westerns & National Championships everything is being planned for this summer.

Please SAVE the DATE!

AUGUST 21-22 , 2022 Sunday and Monday.

We need your help!

AOA received a CASINO draw in Calgary Pure Casino. The AGLC Casino fund is a main operational support for AOA. We use it for creating maps, developing programs and supporting events. If you can help us with a shift it would be greatly appreciated.
Please sign up below.

AOA Casino Sign Up

Full speed ahead -
Youth Programs and Try It! Opportunities

Check out the Red Deer and Airdrie Outreach Programs and grab a spot. Registration is open and space is limited. We are also hosting Try It events in April.
in Red Deer and Airdrie and Calgary

SOGO programs in Calgary and the KRW programs in Edmonton opened registration for the spring.

AOA and Clubs' News

The AOA Board of Directors had an in-person meeting to work on the 2022 and beyond strategic plan and goals to advance orienteering.

Strategic Planning, Roadmap, Grants and Reports can be found on our website. Feedback, ideas, engagement are always welcome!

Edmonton Club ( EOOC)

Club news

Calgary Club (FWOC):

Upcoming events

Outreach: Airdrie and Red Deer events

Red Deer and Airdrie

Congratulations and Thank You!

THANK YOU to our amazing volunteers.
One thing is certain, Orienteering in Alberta would not exist without all the dedicated heroes in the community who give thousands of hours to the sport.
Congrats to Marion, Geraint and Marilyn who were inducted into the Order of Orienteering Canada (Lifetime Achievement) by Orienteering Canada this month! Check out their bios for all the amazing things they have done!

We hope to see you soon!

Copyright © AOA. All rights reserved.

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

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2021: A New O Season!

3/22/2021

AOA News and Events

Message from the AOA President

We’re at the beginning of another orienteering season that, once again, will look and feel very different from what we’re used to. What’s different from last year is that we have vaccines against this COVID-19 virus and a plan to get everyone vaccinated by September, maybe sooner, so we could be looking at a series of Fall orienteering events that get us back together in the parks and forests.

The AOA completed a three-year strategic planning cycle at the end of 2020 where we focussed on creating outreach programs in new communities outside of Edmonton and Calgary. For our current three-year plan, we will be focussing on maintaining and developing the outreach programs we established in Airdrie, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House and Grande Prairie with the hope that we can create a new orienteering club in Red Deer. Full details of the new strategic plan are available for everyone to read on the AOA’s website.

The AOA AGM will be held on Wednesday 14 April starting at 6.30 pm. Official notice will be sent to all members on or before March 25 with a link to register and receive a Zoom invitation to join the meeting. This will be my last AGM as president, having reached the maximum term limit of four years. Kim Kasperski from EOOC has agreed to be nominated to take over from me as president. Kim will come back to the AOA board having already served as president around 10 years ago so will be able to get up and running very quickly.
I hope to see you in the forest soon.

David Campden

Save the Date!

AGMs to Start the Season

Both the AOA and Clubs start the new season with an AGM. AOA will elect their new Board on April 14, 2021. Some new faces are standing for office and some old pros are returning to take up the torch.

FWOC

The following members were elected to the FWOC Board:

President - Tim McLaren
Treasurer - Marion Owen
Secretary - Lourdes Gutierrez-Kellam
VP Jr Dev - Charlotte MacNaughton
VP Mapping - Don Bayly
VP Technical - Marsha Fehr
VP Technology - Vital Mialeshka

AOA

The proposed slate for the 2021/22 AOA Board is:

President: Kim Kasperski
Past-President - David Campden
Treasurer - Wayne Best
Secretary - Clarence Kort
VP Mapping - vacant
VP Technical - Marsha Fehr

If you are interested in the VP Mapping position, please contact David Campden.

EOOC Board of Directors

Judy Cornish - President
Karen Brownlee - Secretary
Al Nilson - Treasurer
Bobbi Menard – Junior Program
Peter Mackenzie – Junior Program and Past President
Marilyn Edmunds - Membership
Geraint Edmunds - Mapping
Greg Yarkie - Scheduling

Robert Gilchrist – Member at Large

Stefan Duret – Member at Large

Don Riddle - Member at Large

O Season Starters

The Board of Directors are busy making plans for the orienteering season! With luck, COVID restrictions will be reduced and we can orienteer again even if the format looks slightly different. Stay on top of the news by checking your club's website frequently.
Edmonton Club (EOOC):

Calgary Club (FWOC):

Upcoming events

Outreach

Airdrie: Try orienteering
Red Deer: Try orienteering

Any location self-guided activities:

NEIGHBOURHOOD ADVENTURE create your own google based map and route
SOGO@Home: for kids to keep them active at home

In-person Youth Programs

Check out the spring Outreach Programs and grab some spots. Registration open and space is limited. We are also hosting Try It events on April 10, 2021.
Airdrie and Red Deer.

SOGO programs in Calgary. Cochrane and Bragg Creek are filling up fast and the KRW programs in Edmonton will open registration soon.

Did you know?

Permanent Courses
in Red Deer

Red Deer has two permanent courses still being maintained according to Don Wales. Kin Canyon and Heritage Ranch maps are still in ok shape, and discussions started about the permanent courses and remapping these areas with the city.
Check them out next time you are on a road trip and going by Red Deer!
Also, we received a grant from the City of Red Deer to support our community program development. If you know anyone who wants to engage more with orienteering ask them to contact us. Our goal is to establish a club in RD.

Professional Development Opportunities

Leaders, Board members:

Government of Alberta - Community Development Unit

Free Weekly webinars: https://www.alberta.ca/community-development-unit.aspx
- Understanding the Non-Profit Legal Landscape
- Roles and Responsibilities of a Non-Profit Board of Directors
- Legal Responsibilities of a Non-Profit
- Non-Profit Organizational Purpose and Planning
- Financial Responsibilities of a Non-Profit
- Risk Management for Non-Profits
- Non-Profit Committees and How to Run Effective Meetings

Coaches:

Orienteering Community Coach Workshop: April 11, 2021 Calgary
High Five free online program

A new virtual on-demand training for sport coaches across Canada
Learn more about how to keep the game fun for your players while having a quality sport experience and earn professional development points towards your National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).
Pre-register to get exclusive access to HIGH FIVE Sport

Be Fit For Life free online course:

Mindful Movement: This course teaches leaders how to deliver techniques from the Be Fit for Life Network Yoga Techniques & Zen Me resources.

New Resources:

Engaging Newcomer Girls & Women: Physical Activity & Sport Handbook
The Coaches Resource Guide: Supporting Young Athletes Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in a Mainstream Setting
For links to more resources, check the ESC's Inclusion & Diversity webpage.

AOA website for sport-specific covid measures

Return to Sport Guidelines

AOA is following the Provincial Health authorities' measures and Orienteering Canada developed guidelines to provide a safe environment for our sports participants. The focus and expectations must be shifted away from competitive events to the opportunity to be outside, doing a sport we enjoy, respecting our collective responsibilities to health and safety, and being extra-appreciative to the officials who are creating opportunities to orienteer. Visit these webpages which contain the updated recommendations:
For organizers: Return to Sport
For participants: Safety in Orienteering

These guidelines and forms will be implemented by the organizers. Make sure to follow your activity specific instructions if you attend any activity.

Orienteering in the News

We had a great promotional event with Sport Calgary featuring Orienteering. Over 60 people were signed up to learn more about our sport.

Big thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this event: Charlotte MacNaughton, Jan-Erik Naes, Bogi Gyorfi, Clarence Kort, Jean MacNaughton, Andrew McLaren, Soma Csonka, Emma Sherwood.

Here is the link to the Sport Calgary website where you can find great resources if you want to watch it or send it to someone who wants to learn more about our sport.

Orienteering Memories

Edmonton SKI O

Calgary TNT at Confederation park

Take care and see you on a map soon!

Winter Updates

12/21/2020

Campaign URL Copy

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AOA News and Events

Message from the AOA President

This year has been very challenging in many ways for everyone. But despite the pandemic, orienteering has been possible, albeit in modified formats and always without the socializing before and afterwards.

With a collaborative effort, the clubs and AOA were able to provide safe outdoor activities to more than 6000 participants in 2020.

I really want to thank all those volunteers who have continued to offer their time and experience to make anything happen at all. The board members in each club have had to meet more often to ensure all orienteering activities conform to the ever-changing health regulations as well as managing finances that have been hard hit by program cancellations. Coaches have had to deal with physical distancing, mask-wearing, hand sanitizing and other changes to their coaching routines. All this is added stress in an already stressful environment.

Sadly, the 2020 Western Canadian Orienteering Championships that were scheduled for last July had to be postponed. This after the organizing committee had already put in a huge amount of work to create new maps, plan and vet courses, manage registrations, acquire permits, arrange transport and accommodation – the list goes on for such a big event. Let’s hope all this work comes to fruition sometime in the not too distant future.

I want to finish by saying the Alberta Orienteering Association needs you! I have been president of the AOA for four terms and, to conform with our bylaws, cannot continue as president after the next AGM in April 2021. Apart from needing a new president, it would be beneficial to have a couple more “regular” board members, especially from Edmonton. At the moment, the AOA board has five members, of which only one is from Edmonton. The board meets once a month on-line and twice a year in person (when we were allowed!). The main duties of the board are overseeing the work of our amazing Executive Director (Bogi), managing finances, adopting relevant sport policies, coordinating an annual forest event schedule, coordinating forest mapping projects and representing orienteering to the provincial government, Orienteering Canada and other sport bodies. So if you think you can help out, please contact Bogi (info@orienteeringalberta.ca).

I wish you all a safe, healthy and active 2021.

David Campden

What happened in 2020?

Regardless of the many challenges posed by the pandemic, the clubs and AOA were able to provide opportunities to over 6000 participants to enjoy the outdoors in a safe environment. With Orienteering Canada's support and extensive work on Covid 19 guidelines for orienteering safely, the clubs were able to return to the sport through the summer and fall.

Highlights:

Thanks to our Club's organizers for many activities in the form of online programs and individual-based GPS orienteering.
In-person events and kids programs ( KRW and SOGO)
Try it sessions
School and small group programs
3 coaching courses and two outreach school programs in Grande Prairie
Thanks to Marion Owen who mentored the O100 courses (run online)
Thanks to our mappers ( Don Bayly and Teresa Winn ) who completed two forest maps ( Lusk Creek / Crowsnest Pass) and a couple of outreach maps.
Maintained our PSO ( Provincial Sport Association) grant and obtained two new grants to support clubs and outreach programs

Spotlight

In this year that challenged everyone, we thank our amazing COACHES and VOLUNTEERS for continuing to offer their time and energy to support orienteering in Alberta. Their commitment to our sport will allow us to get back on track to enjoy regular programming and events just as soon as this pandemic is over.

We are highlighting the coaching teams in this newsletter to show that it really "takes a village" to run orienteering programs. A BIG thank you to all of you for being so agile in adapting to this new challenging environment.

THANK YOU!
Kids Run Wild / EOOC coaches and volunteers:

Dorothy Penner
Peter Gwinner
Anton Goulko
Drew Penner
Aleksey Goulko
Evan Penner
Sierra Kahrim-Goulko
Hannah & Gordon Hussell
Sarah Perritt
Jakob Andrews
Marilyn & Geraint Edmunds
Garry Atchison

SOGO / FWOC coaches and volunteers:

Jasmine Sepandj
Clarence Kort
Gabrielle Savard
Lenora Carbonetto
Damian Konotopetz
Andrew McLaren
Braxton Smith
Bridie Pryce
Chandra Kuran
Danica Marks
Emma Sherwood
Flora Csonka
Jane Laughton
Michelle Deacon
Rhian Sanderson
Shelley Brolsma
Soma Csonka
Yannick Spelier
Molly McVean
Toby Carter
Vera Sokolosky
Dexter Chiclo
Kath McLaren
Marsha Fehr
Tim Mclaren
Teresa Winn
Marion Owen
Kim Iandolo
Nicki Rehn
David Roberts

AOA coaches and volunteers:

Bogi Gyorfi
Lisa Tough
Malin Hansen
Flora Csonka
Soma Csonka
David Campden

Activities for the winter

New (independent) activities may arise over the winter when volunteers find themselves with time on their hands! Check the EOOC and FWOC websites on a regular basis!

Edmonton Club (EOOC):

Calgary Club (FWOC):

Any location self-guided activities:

NEIGHBOURHOOD ADVENTURE create your own google based map and route
SOGO@Home: for kids to keep them active at home

On-Line Orienteering Games:

For those who want to test their control description knowledge: MapRunner CD Quiz
For those who want to develop speed in making route choice (especially in sprint orienteering): Route Choice Game ( you have to register to play but it is free)
For those who want to improve their ability to read contours: Contour Training

More terrific downloadable orienteering activities from Scottish Orienteering: Countdown to Christmas

Did you know?

There is a new orienteering children's book written by an AOA member.

We are so excited about this new book by Malin Hansen. (The Picture is from the 2019 AOA training camp where we met Malin and her family). Her book - Don't Get Lost! - aims to inspire children to get outside and learn how to read a map. It also teaches them what to do if they get lost, helping them build confidence in their own abilities. But most importantly, it's just a fun read! O-Store.ca and Amazon both have it in stock.

AOA website for sport-specific covid measures

Return to Sport Guidelines

Orienteering in 2020

A pre-covid event - FWOC @ GVOC Sprint Camp!

Take care and see you back orietneering soon!

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2020 SumMer Updates

7/20/2020

AOA News and Events

Summer Updates from the AOA Board

Return to Sport Guidelines

AOA is following the Orienteering Canada developed guidelines which are aligned with the Provincial Health authorities' recommendations. The focus and expectations must be shifted away from timed, competitive events to the opportunity to be outside, doing a sport we enjoy, respecting our collective responsibilities to health and safety, and being extra-appreciative to the officials who are creating opportunities to orienteer. Visit these webpages which contain all current recommendations:
For organizers: Return to Sport
For participants: Safety in Orienteering

These guidelines and forms will be implemented by the organizers. Make sure to follow your activity specific instructions if you attend any activity this summer.

Activities for summer 2020

EOOC, FWOC and AOA have developed programs and activities within the Return to Sport Guidelines; check them out!

Edmonton Club (EOOC):

Independent orienteering
Kids Run Wild Summer Camps

Calgary Club (FWOC):

Any location self-guided activities:

AOA Outreach
In-person Activities

JOIN US!
AOA is organizing a couple of Try Orienteering activities. Everyone is welcomed; please come out if you are in the area. There will be an intermediate course for old-timers too but no SI at this time.

Cochrane Ranche: July 22, 2020, Wednesday 3-7 pm
Airdrie Nose Creek Park: July 29 or Aug 5 - permit dependent
Red Deer College: Date TBD- permit dependent

Follow our website or social media for updates.

If you would like to see an activity in your neighbourhood to promote Orienteering please let us now: Info@orienteeringalberta.ca

Did you know?

We had close to 10,000 kids through the school programs last year. In collaboration with the Clubs, we had over 32 schools engaged. We have many options for schools and communities:

"TRY IT " Programs
Residency Programs
Outdoor Adventure Community Programs
Free resource guide and program management tools

Our sessions include:

PHYSICAL LITERACY games,
Fun AGILITY stations
NAVIGATION & MAP READING

Thanks to Dorothy from Kids Run Wild, Lenora from SOGO, the AOA outreach programs & Lisa from Red Deer and of course our fantastic Volunteers and Board Committees who support this important work.
Help us spread the word to your community that we can provide fun, engaging outdoor programs. For more info visit our webpage or email us.

Officials Challenge

Congratulations to the winner: David Roberts!
Our thanks to everyone who submitted their courses. Thank you to Don Riddle for organizing it.

O100 News

The O100 course is available online!

FWOC's orienteering officials' guru, Marion O, has agreed to lead the course. Send us an email (info@orienteeringalberta.ca) or contact Marion directly (m.owen001@gmail.com) if you are interested in taking this course online.

Why should you do it?

To feel more confident with your volunteering at club events.
To learn the best practices for organizing a local event, including registration, timing, and safety.
To understand the basics of planning courses - this is super fun!
To get familiar with some cool Software applications useful for course planning.
To become a certified O100 official - which is vital for our insurance!
It is free!
You (might) have time on your hands??

NCCP Community Coaching Course

COMMUNITY SPORT COACH PROGRAM
Planned for August 28, 2020, Calgary

Community Sport Coaches usually are parents, teachers, group leaders, O-club members and youth who want to keep in touch with the sport. They are not necessarily experienced orienteers but they have a desire to contribute towards junior programs and the active sport community.

The training program (workshop) for Community Coaches is 8 hours long and split into three segments with outdoor practical activities.
The course will introduce participants to the coaching role, practice planning and will cover basic orienteering techniques. Be prepared to spend a couple of hours outside and have fun teaching each other.

After registration, you will be added to the CCA (Coaching Association of Canada) database and receive an NCCP ( National Coaching Certification Program) number. By actively participating in the workshop you will earn the Trained Community Sport Coach status.

Email us if you are interested in joining, it's free for AOA members.

AOA Policies

Your provincial Board of Directors has been hard at work updating and implementing policies to meet the Provincial Sport Organization standards. The newest set of policies is the Safe Sport Framework. Please review it to see how it applies to your events and programs.

These resources can also be found on the AOA website:

Orienteering Memories

Can you the name the orienteers, the year and the event?

Take care and see you back orietneering soon!

Spring Updates -May 2020

5/4/2020

AOA News and Events

Spring Updates from the AOA Board

Orienteering in a "COVID 19" Alberta

We recognize that getting outdoors can be very beneficial for physical and mental health, both of which are very important at this time. Many of the club volunteers and staff are coming up with orienteering activities that you can do on your own while maintaining social distance. Please ensure that any outdoor activities that you do comply completely with the regulations and recommendations of your health authorities and governments. Follow the updates at the Public health orders website.

Check out these self-guided activities:

NEIGHBOURHOOD ADVENTURE: learn to create a map, plan your course and get outside with Google Maps. Beginners and family-friendly. Got over 8000 interactions on social media and some teachers started to use it in their online curriculum. Check it out!
PARK ADVENTURE: starting in May we ware planning to set up some self-guided courses in some parks which you can complete at your own times
SOGO@Home : FWOC is developing great orienteering-focused activity ideas every week for all the parents and kids out there to do at home and in their neighbourhoods. There are activities for all ages. Check out the website!
Kids Run Wild: doing social media challenges and activities. follow them at Facebook or Instagram @kidsrunwild

Stay safe and healthy.

2020 AOA AGM

April 26, 2020
10 - 11:30am

The Alberta Orienteering Association successfully hosted their on-line (video conference) AGM. 29 AOA members were able to participate and this met the quorum requirement. This meeting enabled the AOA Board to

establish a new annual timing for the AGM which allows us to better align with Government timelines. Members can expect to have the AGM in the spring going forward. Hopefully next year we will be able to meet in person and enjoy an event at the same time.
present the new AOA Safe Sport Framework;
approve the obligatory reports;
elect the Board of Directors for 2020;
and appoint the auditors for 2020.

Details may be found in the meeting documents, located here: https://www.orienteeringalberta.ca/agm-meetings.html

Thank you to all those who took the time to attend. We appreciate your participation.

Thank you to out-going Board members, Kitty J (pictured) and Beth C. As noted by David C, both Kitty and Beth were valuable contributors to the on-going development of orienteering in Alberta.

Thank you to the Board members who agreed to stand for another year: David C (President), Wayne B (Treasurer), Clarence K (Secretary), Marsha F (Technical) and Andree P (Member at Large). If you would be interested in joining the Board, please contact Bogi at info@orienteeringalberta.ca.

O100 News

The O100 course is available online!

This option was in the works way before the pandemic hit, but the timing could not have been more opportune. The online course will be launched on May 1st. FWOC's orienteering officials' guru, Marion O, has agreed to lead the course. Send us an email (info@orienteeringalberta.ca) if you are interested in taking this course online.
Why should you do it?

To feel more confident with your volunteering at club events.
To learn the best practices for organizing a local event, including registration, timing, and safety.
To understand the basics of planning courses - this is super fun!
To get familiar with some cool Software applications useful for course planning.
To become a certified O100 official - which is vital for our insurance!
It is free!
You (might) have time on your hands??

Officials Challenge

Alberta Orienteering is inviting all Level O200 and O300 certified officials to participate in a course planning activity/competition. The competition is outlined in the document attached. Thank you for Don Riddle for organizing it. Don't hesitate to join this fun activity.

Please email info@orienteeringalberta.ca if you are interested in participating.

More Orienteering in the face of the pandemic!

Orienteering Canada is also taking a leadership role in providing activities that orienteers across Canada can safely do in this current stay-home, physical distancing world.

OC has been posting safe orienteering activities on their Facebook page. Check out the daily ideas at https://www.facebook.com/orienteeringcanada/.
OC is also scheduling some Club Connect calls over the next month on various topics. Our first topic was Map Reading. It was A LOT bigger than planned. We had 297 people sign up. About 200 people attended with many international attendees. Don't worry if you missed it; they will post the recorded sessions online so follow the OC news channels.
The High Performance Program of OC is also offering simulation exercises for free; these ones encourage you to get outside and run while doing the activity! Check it out on OC's website.

AOA Policies

AOA thanks our COVID 19 Front-line Workers

Several members of AOA are working on the front-line of this pandemic in a variety of capacities: doctors, nurses, grocery store staff, mail deliverers or volunteers with Meals on Wheels, to name a few.

Thank you for all you do!

We hope everyone stays safe (by practicing physical distancing, washing your hands, & not touching your face) to help ensure our and all front-line workers stay safe.

Orienteering Memories

Can you the name the orienteers, the year and the event?

Take care and see you back orietneering soon!

2020 Spring Newsletter

4/7/2020

AOA News and Events

2020 Orienteering News from the AOA Board

Dear Orienteering Community,
Given the state of COVID-19 in Alberta, and with confidence that most of you are doing your best to limit your contact with other people, the Alberta Orienteering Association in conjunction with our local clubs, and aligned with and the International Orienteering Federation, has decided to cancel all events until May 31st. In addition, the 2020 Canadian Rockies Orienteering Festival (CROF) has been postponed until 2021.

Check out these activities:

SOGO@Home The SOGO Adventuring Running crew are working hard to provide you with tools and ideas for your families to stay active at home
AOA outreach is working on positing some safe, self-guided orienteering activities onour website in April.

Should the situation improve, we will consider reinstating events. We will be doing our best to communicate on a regular timely basis as the situation and our plan evolves. Follow our website and social media for updates.

Stay safe and healthy.

Other orienteering news:

April 26, 2020 - the new date for the AOA AGM via online conferencing
Albertans on the World Stage
AOA Grant for Alberta HPP Athletes
SafeSport Framework
Orienteering Events
Orienteering Fun

2020 AOA AGM

April 26, 2020
10 - 11:30am

Join us via online conferencing at the new AOA AGM. Help us plan for the future as we set the 2020 priorities for orienteering in Alberta. Please register on our website. If you have any new business to be added to the agenda, please contact the Executive Director (info@orienteeringalberta.ca) before April 16.

Albertans on the High Performance Program
of Orienteering Canada

Congratulations to the 2020 Albertan members of Orienteering Canada's High Performance Program, including new Junior members Robyn A, Andrew M and Ewan W and our senior elite athletes: Damian K, Jan Erik N, Emma S, Michael S and Michael K.

Members of Canada's HPP program are eligible to compete for Canada at world events such as the Junior World Orienteering Championships and the World Orienteering Championships. Unfortunately, most of the major events have been cancelled for 2020, but we are looking forward to next year's success stories.

AOA HPP Athlete Grant

The AOA is happy to support its HPP athletes through a financial grant. HPP members can apply for the grant every year they are a member of Orienteering Canada's HPP. Certain criteria must be met to apply. Check out the obligations so that you can fulfill them throughout the year. Apply for the grant by December 1 each year.
Information about the AOA grants can be found on our website.

AOA Policies

Your provincial Board of Directors has been hard at work updating and implementing policies to meet the Provincial Sport Organization standards. The newest set of policies is the SafeSport Framework. Please review it to see how it applies to your events and programs.

These resources can also be found on the AOA website:

AOA recommends carrying Bear Spray in the forest! Knowing how to avoid an encounter with a bear (and other wildlife) is the best way to enjoy the Alberta forests, safely. Refreshing your understanding is always a great choice: visit the Safety in Orienteering web page (above) before heading out.

Postponement of Upcoming Events

Postponement of the 2020 CROF until 2021

With all the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and, in line with other sporting events, the 2020 Canadian Rockies Orienteering Festival (CROF), including

the 2020 Canadian Orienteering Championships (COCs),
the 2020 Western Canadian Orienteering Championships (WCOCs),
Crowsnest Barebones events, and
the 2020 Sass Peepre National Training Junior Camp,

have been postponed until 2021.

Read the full ANNOUNCEMENT here.

Orienteering Events

All scheduled events are suspended until May 31st. (This date will be revised according to any new government recommendations).
We are optimistic that some low key summer events may be able to proceed
Tentative Alberta Orienteering Championship: September 19-20, 2020 organized by EOOC.
The second annual Alberta Compass Series will be revised or postponed after we establish a new events schedule for the summer and fall. Details on the AOA website.

Arm-Chair Orienteering Events!

Orienteering Canada has been posting orienteering activities you can do while safely staying home! Armchair O is a great way to keep your orienteering brain working:) Check out the daily ideas at https://www.facebook.com/orienteeringcanada/.

The current one is a tough logic puzzle from Scottish Orienteering. Here is the link to SO puzzles page: https://www.scottish-orienteering.org/resources/puzzles-and-challenges/?fbclid=IwAR18SbrRIr-hQFg422--wvAJSpm723rxr-WnffiMGuwLXiQa9oE0YSrW5Zw

Orienteering fun memories:

EOOC Skate-O The Goat Winners

White Earth fun WCOCs pre-race relaxation

AOCs Saturday singalong

Take care and see you back orietneering soon!

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2022 AOA SPRING Newsletter

Save the date: Alberta Orienteering Association AGM 7 pm, April 19, 2022

Plan for a great vacation this summer!

Planning calendar for Alberta 2022

Full speed ahead - Youth Programs and Try It! Opportunities

AOA and Clubs' News

Congratulations and Thank You!

We hope to see you soon!

2021: A New O Season!

Message from the AOA President

Save the Date!

AGMs to Start the Season

FWOC

AOA

EOOC Board of Directors

O Season Starters

In-person Youth Programs

Did you know?

Permanent Courses in Red Deer

Professional Development Opportunities

Leaders, Board members:

Coaches:

New Resources:

AOA website for sport-specific covid measures

Return to Sport Guidelines

Orienteering in the News

Orienteering Memories

Take care and see you on a map soon!

Winter Updates

Message from the AOA President

What happened in 2020?

Spotlight

Activities for the winter

Edmonton Club (EOOC):

Did you know?

AOA website for sport-specific covid measures

Return to Sport Guidelines

Orienteering in 2020

Take care and see you back orietneering soon!

2020 SumMer Updates

Summer Updates from the AOA Board

Return to Sport Guidelines

Activities for summer 2020

Edmonton Club (EOOC):

AOA Outreach In-person Activities

Did you know?

Officials Challenge

O100 News

NCCP Community Coaching Course

AOA Policies

Orienteering Memories

Take care and see you back orietneering soon!

Spring Updates -May 2020

Spring Updates from the AOA Board

Orienteering in a "COVID 19" Alberta

2020 AOA AGM

O100 News

Officials Challenge

More Orienteering in the face of the pandemic!

AOA Policies

AOA thanks our COVID 19 Front-line Workers

Orienteering Memories

Take care and see you back orietneering soon!

2020 Spring Newsletter

2020 Orienteering News from the AOA Board

Other orienteering news:

2020 AOA AGM

Albertans on the High Performance Program of Orienteering Canada

AOA HPP Athlete Grant

AOA Policies

Postponement of Upcoming Events

Postponement of the 2020 CROF until 2021

Orienteering Events

Arm-Chair Orienteering Events!

Orienteering fun memories:

Take care and see you back orietneering soon!

Social media feed:

AOA Newsletter

Author

Archives

Save the date:

Alberta Orienteering Association
AGM

7 pm, April 19, 2022

Full speed ahead -
Youth Programs and Try It! Opportunities

Permanent Courses
in Red Deer

AOA Outreach
In-person Activities

Albertans on the High Performance Program
of Orienteering Canada