Hudson Valley Orienteering

Hudson Valley Orienteering (HVO) was formed in 1983 and holds events in Northern New Jersey (Bergen, Essex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, and Union counties), Southern New York (Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, Rockland, and Westchester counties), and New York City (Queens, and the Bronx). HVO is entirely run by volunteers.

Events are scheduled year round, but are concentrated in the Spring and Fall seasons. These include social events for our members in addition to regular meets which are open to all. Meets take place rain, snow, or shine.

Newcomers are welcome, and Beginner Instruction is provided at most meets.

Orienteering is a fun activity for kids and their families, groups, individuals, and is good training for adventure racers.

Local Meet Fees & Membership Info:

Registration: each registration includes 1 map. Additional maps can be purchased for $1 each.

Compasses: a limited number of compasses are availabe to rent for $1 (and a refundable $10 deposit). Charge for a lost or broken compass is $10.
Map Cases: to protect your map from rain and sweaty hands: 25¢ (or just bring a large clear plastic bag, at least a gallon size).
Membership: if you enjoy Orienteering, you might want to consider becoming an HVO Member.

Registration and Start Times:

Unless otherwise noted in the schedule, registration and start times are from 11 AM to 1 PM. No starts after 1 PM, so please plan accordingly (it takes time to register and copy the course onto your map). Unless otherwise noted in the schedule, there is no pre-registration required. Just arrive with enough time to register and copy your course before the last start. However, if you are a large group (>9), please contact the Meet Director so that they can prepare accordingly.

There is a 3 hour time limit on all courses. You must be back by 3 hours after your start time or course closing time, whichever comes first. Even if you don't finish your course, please turn in your punch card at the finish. This is the only way for us to know that you are safely out of the woods.

Courses close, and controls are picked up at 4 PM (3 PM in the winter).

Groups:

You find information for group leaders and the group waiver here.

Beginner Instruction:

Never orienteered before? No problem. We provide Beginner Instruction at our Regular Local Meets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got a question not answered here? Feel free to ask anything in our forums.

1.) What is Orienteering?

2.) I've never orienteered before. How can I learn to orienteer?

3.) What happens at the average regular local HVO meet? Walk me through it.

4.) Which course should I do on my first time out? What do the course colors mean?

5.) Why is there a 3 Hour Time Limit? What should I do if I don't Finish the Course? Or Lose my Punch Card?

6.) Since HVO is run by Volunteers, how can I Help?

7.) Do I have to Orienteer Alone? Can we go as a Group?

8.) How do I Become an HVO Member? What are the Benefits of Membership?

9.) What clothing and equipment should I bring?

10.) What is the purpose of the clue sheet? What do all of those symbols mean?

11.) How do I interpret an orienteering map? What do the colors and symbols mean? What is magnetic North?

12.) What's a Score-O? What are the different types of orienteering?

13.) What's an A-Meet? What are the different types of meets?

14.) How much does it cost to Orienteer?

15.) Help, I've forgotten the metric system. What are the conversion factors for km and m?

1.) What is Orienteering?

Orienteering is a fun outdoor activity in which you run (or walk) a course in the woods, using only a map and compass to guide you. Control locations are marked on your map and your goal is to find them in the woods. This can be as competitive as you want; from a nice relaxed stroll in the woods, to making your competitors eat your dust!

It is enjoyed by kids, families, groups, individuals and is good training for adventure racers.

Also known as the "Thinking Sport": it is not always the fastest runner who wins.

Back to FAQ

2.) I've never orienteered before. How can I learn to orienteer?

Getting started in orienteering is easy. Beginner Instruction is provided at all regular local HVO meets, starting 30 minutes before the beginning of registration/start time. Usually, registration/start times are from 11 AM to 1 PM, so Beginner Instruction starts at 10:30 AM. However, times are variable, so check the HVO schedule.

Some meets are not suitable for beginners and therefore instruction is not provided. In those case, this will be mentioned in the schedule. Again, check the schedule.

When you arrive at the meet, simply go to Registration and ask for Beginner Instruction. You will be taught everything you need to know to immediately go out on a course.

HVO occasionally schedules meets designed specifically for newcomers and beginners.

Back to FAQ

3.) What happens at the average regular local HVO meet? Walk me through it.

If you need Beginner Instruction, come before the first start (see Question 2).

Before registering, you can check out the Master Maps to help you decide which course to run (also, see Question 4).

Go to Registration and tell them which course you will be doing. Fill out all 3 parts of the registration card, and hand it back with your payment. You can also rent a compass, if needed. You will be given a blank map, a clue sheet and the bottom part of your registration card, which you will use as your Punch Card.

Using the Master Map for your course, carefully copy the course onto your map. Compare the feature on your clue sheet to the feature you are circling on your map.

Glue or tape the clue sheet to your map (if you use staples, know that the metal can interfere with your compass).

Place your map in a plastic bag (especially if it is raining, but also to protect from sweaty hands). Usually available for 25¢, or just bring a large clear plastic bag (at least gallon size).

On your Punch Card, it helps to write in the control id numbers in the boxes.

When you are ready to go out on your course, make sure you have your map, clue sheet, Punch Card, compass, a watch and anything else you want to take (e.g. water bottle, whistle; see Question 9).

Go to the Start and hand the person your Punch Card. They will issue you a start time, take the bottom piece off your card and give you back your Punch Card. Put it where you won't lose it (if you do lose it in the woods, just punch your map and make sure to give your name at the Finish so that we know you are safely out of the woods).

While waiting for your start time, you can study the map and decide how you will get to your first control.

Then it's time to go!

Each time you reach a control, check the control id number - to make sure it is in fact your control - before punching your Punch Card.

At the Finish, hand in your Punch Card.

For safety reasons, you must hand in your Punch Card, even if you didn't finish the course and you must not be out longer than 3 hours. The only way we know that you are safely out of the woods is if you turn in your card. Otherwise, we have to send out a search party.

Back to FAQ

4.) Which course should I do on my first time out? What do the course colors mean?

Regular Orienteering courses are color coded. As a beginner, you should start with a White course. If it was really easy and you get back at least 10 min before the end of Start Times, you can try the Yellow course. To do this, you must go to the Registrar for a new control card and clue sheet. There is no extra cost if you copy the Yellow course on your original map (if you want a new map, it's just $1). Then get a new Start Time. Remember to check in at the Finish, even if you don't complete the Yellow course. It's the only way for us to know that you are safely out of the woods.

Back to FAQ

5.) Why is there a 3 Hour Time Limit? What should I do if I don't Finish the Course? Or Lose my Punch Card?

The 3 hour time limit is for your safety. You must return to the finish before 3 hours after your start time, or before course closing time, whichever comes first. If you lose your punch card in the woods, simply punch your map instead. Even if you don't finish your course or you lose your punch card, you must check in at the Finish to let them know you are out of the woods safely. If you do not check in, or are out longer than 3 hours, we will assume you are lost or injured and we will send out a search party. Some Parks even require us to contact the Police, so please be aware of the time.

Back to FAQ

6.) Since HVO is run by Volunteers, how can I Help?

All HVO jobs, from Meet Worker, Meet Director and Course Setter to Area Coordinator, President and Treasurer are performed by volunteers. So we need your help. Jobs vary widely, so there is something for everyone.

Meet Workers are always needed, but it can be tough for the Meet Directors and Area Coordinators to recruit enough volunteers. So please let them know if you are available.

Getting the Schedule out every season is another big challenge. It is very helpful to have volunteers step forward and offer to be Meet Director or Course Setter. Want to be a Course Setter, but have no experience? No problem! An advisor can be assigned to help you.

So if you are willing to help (thank you!), just leave us a note in the forums, or talk to an HVO Officer, Area Coordinator or even the person currently doing a job you might be interested in.

Back to FAQ

7.) Do I have to Orienteer Alone? Can we go as a Group?

At regular local HVO meets, you can compete on all courses as an individual or as a group. For groups, we recommend a maximum of 3 people (if everyone wants to be involved in the navigation). You might also want to consider letting everyone have a map ($1 for each additional map).

If you are the leader of a group of minors (e.g. Scouts or JROTC), please bring a signed Group Waiver.

Back to FAQ

8.) How do I Become an HVO Member? What are the Benefits of Membership?

Membership information

Back to FAQ

9.) What Clothing and Equipment should I bring? How about a Compass?

• If doing a White or Yellow course, wear whatever clothing you would normally for a trail hike or run (this is very weather dependent, so wear layers which you can remove if it gets too warm). And comfortable walking shoes or lightweight hiking boots. When you move up to Orange and above, you will be off-trail, so wear clothing that doesn't snag (and that you don't mind if it tears), shinguards/gaiters and lightweight hiking or trail running shoes.
• Wear a watch. You must not be out more than 3 hours.
• We recommend that you carry a whistle for emergencies (3 quick blows).
• A water bottle.
• Clear plastic bag for your map (at least gallon size). Map cases are usually available at registration for 25¢. A must if it is raining, but also good to protect against sweaty hands.
• A small number of compasses are available for rent at registration. If you want to buy a compass, you can get perfectly good ones for about $10-15 at camping and sporting goods stores.

Back to FAQ

10.) What is the purpose of the clue sheet? What do all of those symbols mean?

On the map, a circle is drawn around the feature where the control is located. However, this circle covers a large area, so the clue sheet is used to give you details (clues) about the feature and the exact location of the control. For example, if the control is on a boulder, but in the circle you can see 2 boulders, then the clue sheet would specify which boulder, the size of the boulder and which side of the boulder you will find the control. The clue sheet will also list id numbers for each control; this corresponds to the number you will find attached to each control in the woods.

On White and Yellow courses, these clues are spelled out in English. But on clue sheets for Orange and above, you will find symbols (which are used all over the world - so no language barrier). If interested, you can see what these Symbols look like.

Back to FAQ

11.) How do I interpret an orienteering map? What do the colors and symbols mean?

Each map will include a Legend. These symbols and colors will be the same on all orienteering maps. Orienteering maps are also aligned to Magnetic North. Most other maps are aligned to Geographic North (the North Pole), which is in a different place than Magnetic North, and this means that to use your compass a declination adjustment is required. But with Orienteering maps, there is no need for adjustments: the North on an O-Map is the same as the North indicated by the needle on your compass.

Back to FAQ

What's a Score-O? What are the different types of orienteering?

There can be variations on all of the following meet types. Our Fun-O events are usually a Score-O with a theme (e.g. instead of being assigned point values, each control might have a playing card assigned to it, and your goal is to make up a high scoring poker hand).

• Foot-O: Regular course found at most local meets. Controls must be visited in a specific order.
• Score-O: Controls are assigned a point value and can be visited in any order. Highest score within time-limit wins (usually 90 min). Points deducted if overtime.
• Trail-O:Designed for the disabled, but a challenge to all. The mental portion of the sport: from a designated location on the trail, competitors must determine which of the several controls they can see, is the one circled on their map. Not as easy as it sounds. Trail-O Web Site link
• Night-O:Foot-O course done at night. Flashlights a must.
• Relay:Teams of orienteers run consecutive courses.
• Motala:A one person relay; you run the first course, get a new map, run second course, etc...
• Bike-O:Done on mountain bike.
• Canoe-O, Kayak-O: Courses on water. Canoe-O Web Site link
• Tri-O: a mini adventure race. A combination of 3 events (e.g. foot, bike and canoe).
• Ski-O, Snowshoe-O: When Mother Nature is nice enough to give us snow.
• String-O: For young children. Controls over a small area are linked with string or ribbon.
• Photo-O: Done in the comfort of your home. You try to figure out where on a map, the photos were taken. There is also a version that can be done in the woods.
• Extreme-O, Command-O: a Foot-O course with obstacles.
• Long Distance Events: For experienced orienteers. Goat an extra long Foot-O course; Hudson Highlander HVO's annual 26.2 km Goat event; Rogaine (not related to the hair product, though you might need it if your hair falls out from frustration during the event) a large Score-O course, covering lots of territory, usually on a USGS map, with a choice of time-limits, usually 6, 12 and 24 hours. Done in teams of at least 2 people. Rogaine Website; Billygoat Website
• Training Exercises: Line-O the course is drawn as a line on your map. If you follow correctly, you will come across controls, which you then must mark on your map; Memory-O you don't carry the course drawn on a map. You have to memorize it, then do it.

Back to FAQ

What's an A-Meet? What are the different types of meets?

• Local Meets (also termed B or C) are organized by a club and attended mostly by local residents.
• A-Meets are also organized by a club, but the meet and courses are sanctioned by the US Orienteering Federation (specific rules must be followed). These are attended by US and international orienteers, and may include a championship event. Pre-registration is required. These are often 2 day events. A-Meets are open to all, though Beginner Instruction might not be offered.

Back to FAQ

How much does it cost to Orienteer?

Fees

Back to FAQ

Help, I've forgotten the metric system. What are the conversion factors for km and m?

1 km = 0.62 mi or 1,094 yards
1 m = 3.3 ft or 1.1 yards