2020 Spring Newsletter

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AOA News and Events AOA Facebook AOA Twitter AOA Website AOA Instagram 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.   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 in AB website.   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. Register for the AGM 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: Orienteering Safety Brochure Safety in Orienteering  Volunteers information  AOA Policies &Grants  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! Copyright ©  AOA.  All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Alberta Orienteering Association Box 1576 Cochrane, Alberta T4C 1B5 Canada Do you want to change how you receive these emails? 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