Notice for the 2026 AOA AGM
Please join us at the AOA All General Meeting
Wednesday,  March 25, 2026, at  6:30 PM
Online Zoom meeting
Please register below, and the meeting link will be emailed to you.
Register for the AGM or download the Proxy form.
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].

All of our detailed reports and 2026 plans can be found on our website.

The newly established Unsung Heroes award celebrates dedicated volunteers whose ongoing, behind-the-scenes contributions have quietly strengthened orienteering across Alberta. This new annual recognition highlights individuals whose community spirit, long-term commitment, and positive impact often go unnoticed within traditional recognition categories. The award showcases the inclusive and grassroots nature of our sport by honouring up to two individuals each year whose efforts embody the true heart of the orienteering community. Visit details for the NOMINATION here.

CONGRATULATIONS to Garry and Cheryl as the first recipients of the award!
Garry and Cheryl Atchison are cherished community builders from the Edmonton Overlanders Orienteering Club (EOOC), celebrated as our first  “Unsung Heroes” for their steadfast, behind-the-scenes support of orienteering events spanning decades. As dedicated volunteers, they’ve taken on countless essential roles — from not only serving as board members, coordinating casino fundraisers and setting up event sites (their familiar grey camper is a sure early-morning sign you’ve arrived at the right spot), to storing the club’s equipment and trailer at their home for many years. Garry is often seen biking out with hundreds of litres of water for the courses or collecting controls, while Cheryl’s friendly smile greets participants at the refreshment table, the camp's kitchens, or at the start line, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Together, they’ve also opened their home to out-of-town orienteering officials and maintained a standing invitation to all orienteers for their beloved annual potluck Christmas dinner. Their contributions to the EOOC are immeasurable — ensuring seamless operations and helping to strengthen the roots of Alberta’s orienteering community. Their quiet dedication truly embodies the spirit celebrated by the AOA’s new award.

Alberta athletes continue to make us proud! Last year, with the Canadian Orienteering Festival  (COF2025) hosted right here in Alberta was even easier to claim those bragging rights!
Huge congratulations to Alberta’s own Robyn Astridge, Andrew McLaren, Gavan Winn, Grace Mahoney, Gabriel Smith, and Emilia Smith on being named to Orienteering Canada’s 2026 National and Development Teams!
 Follow their journeys and meet the full Team Canada squad here: https://orienteering.ca/team-canada/athletes



 

 

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL'S ACTIVITY LOG
 

Please save the date for the upcoming  AOA casino:
August 11-12, 2026,  Pure Casino, Calgary.
Thank you for helping orienteering thrive in Alberta — your support means so much!

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).

 
 

 

 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).

 

 

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.

 

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

 

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!

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

All of our detailed reports and 2025 plans can be found on our website.

 
 

 

 

• 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.

• Sept 6 - 7, 2025 - Pothole lake 2-Day GVOC event in Merritt, BC.
• Oct 10 -13, 2025 - BC Orienteering Champs KOC in Cranbrook, BC.

    

 

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!

 

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].

Hello Alberta orienteers,

I realize that many of you will be thinking more of the upcoming holiday season, and winter activities than of orienteering.  But I wanted to let you know of what I consider to be highlights and key developments for Alberta orienteering in 2024. 
One of the best accomplishments this year, which the AOA Executive Director, Bogi Gyorfi, will likely mention, are the thousands (literally!) of children that participated in orienteering this year, thanks to the effort of EOOC, FWOC, and, the AOA.  These efforts were in part supported by a grant from the Alberta government, the ‘Every Kid Can Play’ initiative, which Bogi was successful in obtaining again for the coming year.  
What also supports the school and junior programs are the funds the AOA receives by our members volunteering at casinos.  The AOA casino alternates between Calgary and Edmonton, and this time it was the Edmonton orienteers turn.  Thank you to all of you who braved the less-than-ideal driving conditions earlier this month to stand your shifts.  Not only do these funds help the various junior and school programs, but also help support the creation or updating of (as the case may be) our forest maps.  This has been especially key this year, and for next, because of the upcoming Canadian Orienteering Festival 2025 (COF25).  Calgary orienteers will be hosting the Western Canadian Championship (August 15-18), and Edmonton orienteers the Canadian Championship (August 22-24).  New maps are being created for both events, and will be a legacy for the local clubs to use for years to come.  
For over a year volunteers have been busy with the planning for COF25, from creating the orienteering courses, directing the mapping, planning logistics, running t-shirt design contests, testing the courses (in the heat of summer and bitter cold of November), planning the IT and software needs for the events, working with land owners to obtain permissions, and so on, and so on.  It is a huge and complex effort, especially as two of the races will be World Ranking Events, for which the International Orienteering Federation has stringent requirements.  Hundreds of volunteer hours have already been put in, and even more will be needed, especially as we get closer to the event  - so stay tuned for calls for volunteers. □  Many of the roles do not require an expertise in orienteering, so keep August 2025 in mind if you will be looking for something to do! 
And speaking of volunteers, while the AOA recognises key event officials and club organizers, some of who put in many hundreds of hours, including hundreds of kilometres of travelling to sites and walking through forests and over plains to design orienteering courses, there are so many of you who lend a hand, whether offering to pick up controls on a Wednesday night or register participants or mark them in as they finish, hand out maps to school kids, and more – all of which are so welcome to your fellow club member / volunteer who planned and put on the courses.  Thank you, to you all!  
All of you have my sincere wish for a safe and happy holiday season, and I hope to see you again on the trails in 2025. Map and compass in hand.

Sincerely,
Kim Kasperski
President, Alberta Orienteering Association

A big thank you!

To all our amazing volunteers, your dedication and hard work are the backbone of our orienteering events. Thank you for not only volunteering but for building a welcoming and supportive community. You're the heroes behind the scenes, and we deeply appreciate all that you do. From casino shifts to program coaching, events, and board meetings, every effort contributes to our success. Our gratitude extends to everyone involved—not just those named but all who support orienteering. 
(AOA has an official criteria for which we give special thanks each year.)
The AOA volunteer recognition criteria 

FWOC/ AOA training camp 

      

Alberta Training Camp organized by Foothills Orienteering (FWOC) was an incredible experience! Participants enjoyed challenging terrain, fantastic courses and activities, stunning views, fun group camping, and perfect weather. A huge thank-you goes out to our amazing volunteers: main organizer, event planner and coach Marsha, activity planner and coach Finley and Kitty, and race planner, Teresa.

AOC 2024 - Alberta Orienteering Championship 

A huge THANK YOU to the Government of Alberta and the Every Kid Can Play grant we received, which helped us to provide these amazing programs! With FWOC/SOGO and EOOC/KRW support, and AOA Red Deer & Airdrie outreach, nearly 6,000 participants across Alberta had the chance to connect with nature, build skills, and enjoy the outdoors through 30 programs, 14 schools, and 9 communities through trying orienteering.
We are so excited to receive next year's support to continue the work we've started with our clubs and partners.
Together, we're making outdoor recreation accessible for so many kids. Thank you to the clubs EOOC (Dorothy), SOGO at school (Tiffany, Kim, and Josephina), and the Red Deer coaches (Lisa and Karen) for making this year such a success!

 
 

Albertans were highly active in 2024, attending not only local events but also major ones like the Canadian Championships, North American Championships, and Westerns. We know how much work goes into these events, and nothing is more rewarding for the organizers than seeing participants from across Canada. Congratulations to everyone who made the trip and supported the Canadian orienteering community this year.

Below are some stories from our Team Canada and Junior Athletes.

We are so proud of you and excited to follow your successes next year!
We will continue to provide the AOA grants to support these young athletes, enabling them to attend competitions where they represent Canada and Alberta.

Did you know that both clubs are working tirelessly to put on next year Canadian and Western Canadian Orienteering Championships? It will be a very exciting and busy time. Join us as a participant or volunteer to be part of this fun festival. 

Enjoy 9 days of thrilling competitive orienteering races, including the Canadian Orienteering Championships, Western Canadian Orienteering Championships, and World Ranking Events. For more details check out the website. Planning to open registration mid-January!
COF 2025 Website

□ Announcing Our T-Shirt Design Contest Winner! □
We are thrilled to announce the winner of our T-shirt design contest! After much anticipation, the votes are in and the chosen design is the stunning Rainbow Beaver Dam, created by the incredibly talented Amanda Edmunds! Amanda has won a fantastic package for the Canadian Orienteering Festival 2025.