2025 Fall Newsletter

Orienteering News from across Alberta

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!   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? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

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