I just got an email from someone telling me their ESP had failed, and they needed to know the date of this event. National Orienteering Day (NOD) is this Saturday, May 4, 2002. The notice was written for the orienteering community, and NOD to them is like Field Day to us :).
In case the URL at the end of the notice doesn't work for you, it redirects to the actual location of the Los Angeles Orienteering Club (LAOC) web site at http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/trails/6320/. Also more information about NOD and orienteering is available at the US Orienteering Federation at http://www.us.orienteering.org/.
****************
National Orienteering Day
Lake Los Carneros is not just for turtles and ducks! This county park located in Goleta, just west of Santa Barbara, is also an outstanding area for beginner and intermediate orienteers. The park is highly recommended for first-timers and beginners, to have some fun both learning and using map and compass skills. And thanks to our national sponsors, Brunton and Maptech, all entrants will eligible for a prize drawing consisting of five compasses and a "Terrain Navigator 2001" CD-ROM!
Orienteering club regulars are also invited to come and enjoy this beautiful park, with a new, color map by Sergei Zarubin. White, Yellow, and Orange courses will be offered. Entrants are encouraged to try a second course if they desire.
Instructional sessions will be provided throughout the morning by veteran orienteers. New skills can be learned by adults and children alike.
There will also be a demonstration of radio orienteering after the event for those who like to mix in some electronics and homebuilt gadgetry with their flag hunting skills. This is a fun variation of the sport that requires a radio receiver to locate a hidden transmitter, based on the direction and strength of the transmitter signal. Equipment and instruction will be provided by expert radio-orienteers to help interested persons test their skills!
Courses: Easy 1.5 - 2.6 miles white, yellow, and orange courses with a 2 hour time limit
Registration: 9am to Noon
Cost: $3.00 per individual, $2.00 extra for groups (includes one extra map), or free to those that join LAOC at this event
Directions:
From Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Gila Bend, Arizona:
North on US 101, 7 miles west of Santa Barbara. Exit north on Los Carneros road.
From Buellton, Santa Maria, and Salinas:
South on US 101, 20 miles east of Gaviota. Exit north on Los Carneros road.
From Highway 101, Los Carneros Road exit:
Proceed 1/8 mile north on Los Carneros past Calle Real and the park will be on your right. Park rangers have asked us to leave the parking lot for museum visitors, so please park along Los Carneros road.
The park entrance is on the right, another 1/8 mile past Calle Real. Just follow the orange and white orienteering signs to the registration area. Registration and the Start/Finish will be at the picnic table area just south of the train station.
More information: Visit http://go.to/laoc or call Marvin Johnston at 805-687-8881.