March Newsletter - 2019

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AOA Newsletter and Upcoming Events Welcome to the 2019 Season F A C E B O O K T W I T T E R WEBSITE Instagram What's new? Alberta Compass Series Goal: To provide a framework for hosting provincial orienteering events that encourage athletes’ attendance outside of their local club. Format: The AB Compass Series will include 5 or 6 forest events per season.  Participants register in the category appropriate for them and complete the associated course at each event to collect points.​​ Results and Award: After each event, the aggregate points will be calculated and posted on the AOA webpage. The year-end athlete recognition and awards will be given out at the AOA AGM. There will be one nice draw prize for all registered participants who completed a minimum of four races Click on the image for details and free registration. What's new? Safety in Orienteering Two new AOA webpages have been launched: Safety in Orienteering On this page, you will find links and recommendations to help you understand more about managing risk related to orienteering activities. AOA and all affiliated member clubs encourage their members to review the educational materials provided. Volunteers: The AOA Volunteer Program Policy become available and ready to be utilized, which provides a framework for volunteer management. It helps define the role of volunteers within the organization, and how they can expect to be treated. On this page, you will find links and recommendations to help you understand more about managing risk related to volunteering in orienteering activities. Check out the webpage information. Junior Programs Did you know?  SOGO ACCESS  in Calgary wants to support ALL kids to get outside.   This program enables children with challenged abilities -  to access the outdoors and be a part of SOGO. It offers two streams of programming: separate as a stand-alone group or integrated with each level/hour of regular programs.  Kids Run Wild in Edmonton  has a School Race Series:   It is geared towards two-person teams. Open to all school divisions for Jr & S. High School students and runs on Saturdays from April 27 - May 18th KRW will offer Summer Camps again this year: Camp dates are July 15 - 19 & August 12 - 16   Registration for July & August is open already. The outreach program is growing: Thanks to the Recreation and Physical Activity Grant program AOA  started to work with 3 communities to implement community programs which anticipated to raise awareness about orienteering and help to find "local champions" for sports development. Welcome Red Deer, Grande Prairie and Rocky Mountain House to the orienteering community. If you know someone who would be interested in supporting the local outreach programs please let us know.   Help us to spread the word about the fantastic youth programs: SOGO - Calgary, Cochrane, Bragg Creek Kids Run Wild -Edmonton Outdoor Adventure - Airdrie Orange Marks the Spot -BFFL: Red Deer and Grande Prarie Convince your friends to try your favourite activity: A new study shows: Being surrounded by green space in childhood may improve the mentalhealth of adults Provincial Events Please support these events by attending and don't forget to register for the Alberta Compass Series   May 5 - EOOC's annual  Morningside which is a little north of Lacombe. May 12 - FWOC Forest event Sandy Macnab May 24-26 - Provincial Spring Skill Camp at Strathcona Wilderness centre::http://www.orienteer.ab.ca/orienteering-skills-camp-2019/ May 15-21 – WORLD ORIENTEERING DAY the clubs organize public engagement events. June 29- July 1- Alberta Orienteering Championships is organized by FWOC this year. Location is still not finalized (permit dependent) but it will be in the Calgary area. July 25-28  Canadian Championships COC in QC. If you are contemplating about great summer vacations destination don't hesitate to add this to your list. September 28 – EOOC B forest event Redwater Natural Area   November 9-10 - AOA Retreat and AGM at Deer Valley Meadows.  For a full list of upcoming events, you can always visit our website EVENTS page. Get ready for the season with the Danish Junior National Team coaches! Join us for the provincial camp near Edmonton organized by EOOC! All levels and ages are welcome! Space is limited in the Strathcona Wilderness centre lodge so register early. Registration opens on  April 1st. Be Bear Aware & Wildsmart Just a reminder that the bears are waking up and their home is our playground! Knowing how to avoid an encounter with a bear (and other wildlife) is the best way to enjoy the Alberta parks, safely. Refreshing your understanding is always a great choice: visit the Safety in Orienteering webpage before heading out this season. Join us to become a National Coaching Certification Program trained community coach and support the youth programs! Enjoy a fantastic 2019 season!    Copyright © 2017 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.