Day and Night Orienteering Champoeg State Heritage Area, St Paul OR
Apr 24 2010

The fields, forests, and wetlands of historical Champoeg Park on the Willamette are the setting for April’s day meet, potluck dinner, Temp-O, and night score-O.

The day courses will include white (beginner), yellow (longer, more advanced), and advanced courses. Start window for the day courses is 11am to 1pm, with the courses closing at 3:30 to prepare for the night event.

Beginner clinics will be available from 10:30 to 12:30. A “string-O” course will be set for young children to earn stickers while they navigate.

Registration and start for both Day and Night events is the Oak Grove picnic area (right turn at the toll booth road fork). There is a $5 FEE to enter Champoeg State Park.

Between the day and night meet, Mike Poulsen will set up a Temp-O course to challenge you with precision orienteering problems which require fast thinking, though no fast running. To spice things up, top problem-solvers will be determined by a playoff. Good spectator sport!

The night event is a 60-minute or 90-minute score-O (controls can be punched in any order). Start will be at dark (about 8:30 pm).

Bring a dish to share at the 6 pm potluck dinner.

For those new to night-O, take a chance on a new experience! Bring a good flashlight and enjoy the special qualities of the park after dark.

Orienteers on all courses may encounter Western bluebirds, raptors (including osprey), coyotes, deer, and—watch out for this one—poison oak.

Courses are free for meet volunteers; and as always, volunteers make the meet happen! If you would like to help with starts, finishes, registration, beginner clinics, control placement or control pick-up; or for more information in general, please contact the meet director.

Event fees: $8 - individual (non-member); $12 - group (non-member); $6 - individual (club member); $10 - group (club member); $2 - extra color map copy; $1 - compass rental.

Directions: From Interstate 5, take the Donald exit (Exit 278). Follow the signs to Champoeg Park: Drive west on Ehlen Road. Turn right on Case Road, then left on Champoeg Road. Turn right into the park at the entrance and follow the orienteering signs to the start area.

Meet director Virginia Church: church0106@comcast.net, (503) 230-9425