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.

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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

SPring Newsletter 2025

7/21/2025

AOA News and Events

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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

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

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!