Welcome to the 2009-2010 Orienteering Season.
1. The New Season: Welcome to the 2009-2010 Orienteering Season. Actually, since this Attack Point is being written the middle of August, 2009, it is not the "New Season" - yet, but 12 September 2009 ALTOS New Season O Clinic, is not far away. In fact, we have been making some preparations and look forward to the challenges of a "New Season". There are still a few "bumps" to work out - but, overall, the New Season is shaping up just fine. First, the 2009 summer activities.
a. The Texas Junior Orienteering Camp: TJOC was conducted, for the 10th year, at the All Saints Camp, Lake Texoma, TX. Paul Prince attended. Look at the TJOC Website for the final results - and photos. All agree that the TJOC Program has been a major factor in the improvement of Orienteering in the SW Region. Thanks to all who made it happen!!
b. GMM: ALTOS had it's semi-annual General Membership Meeting 11 July 2009 at the Walter B. Jacobs Nature Park. Eight ALTOS supporters and one BSA Representative attended. We discussed many important issues. Please look at the 2009-2010 Schedule. Looks like it's going to be another interesting, - and challenging - season - with one less meet. Can't wait!!
2. The 2009-2010 Schedule: The 2009-10 schedule has been approved and is posted on the events page. Note that the schedule is basically a "rubber stamp" of the 2008-09 one. Carl Bridges, NTOA Web Master, maintains a neat web site that allows one to, more easily, see what is going on in the Southwest Region - as well as USOF. This website is really useful and, allowed us to, hopefully, come up with a schedule that has eliminated as many conflictions as possible.
3. ALTOS Membership Renewals:
a. ALTOS Membership Fees are Individual $10 and Family $15. They will be due before 30 September 2009.
b. Meet registration fees are $8 for non ALTOS Runners and $6 for ALTOS members.
4. Internet:
a. Please keep up with ALTOS using http://www.altosrunner.com for the web site and our contact form for the e-mail.
b. Most of the folk interested in Orienteering have access to, and use the Internet to obtain current information and to communicate. However, some individuals and groups do not. Of those who do not, and you know about them, we ask that you suggest to them that they get a friend, or student, or you, to log on to The ALTOS Web Site and print up newsletters, registration forms, schedules, etc. - so they can read the "hard copy". It would help us out and make sure that more folks get current information.
c. We have 76 JROTC email addresses in our ALTOS Address Book. If you would like to be a "voting" member of ALTOS - you should become an individual or family member. If you would like for ALTOS to let you know about important things, please update you email address by sending a message via our contact page. Hope to hear from you. Please notify those JROTC Units, you may know of, that may be interested in being a part of our activities. Thanks!!
5. The ALTOS New Season Orienteering Clinic:
a. The Clinic: The Clinic will be at the Garland Scout Ranch, Stonewall, LA September 12, 2009. A Registration Form is posted at the ALTOS Registration Page. We plan to have a short 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at 8:45 a.m. After the Ceremony, Jimmy Durham will address General Orientation, Rules and Procedures - to all participants. After the Orientation, groups will be formed - for more directed "hands on" training. Groups to be formed are:
(1) Map Hikers: After group instructions and the clinic map hike, participants will go to the registration desk and receive a score card and start time. Note: The Map Hike Course will require a "buddy system" - and the approval of the runner's Coach. The Map Hikers will then go to the start area to be started. We request that each coach identify experienced runners on their team and make them available to Jimmy Durham to accompany beginner runners on the Map Hike Course.
(2) Other Courses: With the permission of the runner's Coach - a runner that will not attend the clinic may run the White, Yellow, Orange, Brown, or Red, non competitive, course. The last start will be 10 a.m. - with a two hour course time limit. Competitive courses will be offered by the local Scout Unit. BSA registration will be at the Scout Registration Table in the vicinity of the swimming pool. Note that BSA Registration closes 8/29/09.
b. Coaches Meeting/Seminar: We request that all coaches assemble for a short "coaches meeting" to discuss clinic rules and procedures. We also plan to offer a "Coaches Seminar" - after the meeting - for coaches who might be interested. It has come to our attention, over the years, that many Orienteering Coaches have little experience in the sport of Orienteering. The Seminar would be directed toward the safety and technical aspect of coaching the sport. If you are interested or know of someone that is, please let us know so we can offer a quality Seminar.
c. NOTICE: The Norwela Boy Scout Council will offer a "Garland Challenge" activity on September 11-13 - the same weekend as the ALTOS Clinic. It will offer actives such as a beginners clinic (which will be the ALTOS Clinic), a string O course, a White, Orange, and Red course, an overnight Rogaine, a 3 man team relay, a puzzle O, Geocaches, and an adventure race course. For more information and a registration form, please see Garland Challenge.
6. Little Troll: The U.S. Orienteering Federation has a program for our younger Orienteers called the Little Troll Program. It has four levels using the String O and White Courses. At each level, the little one does, with adult supervision, the appropriate level course. When they finish the level, they receive a sticker to place on a Little Troll Card! When the card has the required number of stickers, it is sent to the U.S. Orienteering Federation headquarters for a nice patch and a new card. The Little Troll Program is for the very young and must be tightly supervised by a qualified adult.
7. Use of radio/cell phone: Use of radios/cell phones during ALTOS sponsored competitions: The use of UHF or VHF portable radios or cell phones while on a ALTOS sponsored competitive O courses is not permitted. However, if a coach requires runners of his team to carry a radio or a cell phone for safety reasons, it will be used for an emergency only. If used to assist in navigating a course, the coach will take action to disqualify the runner for awards. Radios/cell phones may be used on non competitive courses, recreational Orienteering, and/or training courses (Little Troll for example.) In fact, it is recommended! Warning: Radio and Cell Phone reception may not be available at all parts of a map at a particular location. Use caution due to "lack of communication reception".
8. Use of GPS during competition: The use of GPS units while on a competitive O courses at ALTOS sponsored meets is not permitted. However, at most ALTOS sponsored meets, a GPS course will be offered. The GPS course will be approximately three miles long and have 5 to 10 controls. The location of controls # 1 will be on the clue card. Subsequent control locations (UTM coordinates) will be found at each control. A map will be issued with only the start/finish points on it. The GPS'er will have three hours to complete the course. If we don't have one listed on the registration information form, let the meet director know at (318-949-3601) and we'll set one up for you. Happy GPS'ing.
9. Byrd and Haughton JROTC assistance: The Byrd High School JROTC Byrd Orienteering Team (BOT) provided the administrative service, along with Orienteering Instructors for the ALTOS Training Section. Haughton JROTC, with the support of their Boosters Club, provides concession stand services. We appreciate both schools and look forward to working with these fine young people, as well as their chaperone's, during the 2008-09 O Season.
10. Training: The ALTOS Training Section provides instruction designed to insure that all participants will be performing at the correct technical level. (Note: Please be patient when we recommend a group (two to three people) "map walk" for your new runners, instead of a competitive course. Remember, a map walk is Orienteering, i.e. the first step in a multi-step sequence.) Here is how the ALTOS training and performance program is supposed to work.
a. Individual Competition: Competitive Orienteering is an individual event, i.e. one runner doing his or her own thing. A white score card is issued to these runners. They are expected to have had some instruction on "how to play the game" of Orienteering and have been found capable, by their coach, to go into the woods alone. Courses are: white (beginner, 2-3 km), yellow (intermediate 3-5 km), orange (advanced 4-7 km), brown (advanced-yellow distance 3-5 km, but elite difficulty), green (advanced with 50 to 55 minute winning time), and red (advanced with 60 to 65 winning time). Individual awards are given for top three winners in each category.
b. Mixed Team Competition: Same as individual competition, except teams of two are issued an orange score card. This is for those who feel more comfortable, for any reason, running with another person. The Orange course is used for team competition. Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place team members. All competition is "open" category. .
c. Non Competitive Map Hike: This activity is for those not fitting into the above categories. Map hikers will be asked to report to the "Training Station" where special attention will be given. Please note that "Map Hiking" is Orienteering, it's just not competitive, other than with oneself. The ALTOS instructor, with the approval of the group coach, will determine the level of training the runner requires and the course he or she will hike, as a group of two or more. Map hikers will be issued a green scorecard. No medals are awarded. Note: Coaches, please have you team and map hike runners identified at registration.
11. Meet Site Clean-up!: After most meets, we spend a good bit of time policing the meet site area, as well as on the courses. Let's face it, it ain't fun picking up plastic cups, container, spent mustard packages, napkins, map cases, clue cards, maps, etc. Volunteers don't get paid for that. In fact, they don't get paid for anything. Come on guys. Clean up your area before you leave, i.e. around the meet site, on the course, next to the bus, etc. It's the right thing to do. Thanks!
12. O Etiquette. (Note to Coaches, Group Leaders, Adult Supervisors: Please help us get the word out to our Orienteers by briefing all your runners about O-Etiquette). Please remember that, except between team members and map hike members, talking while running a competitive course is not allowed. Disqualification is appropriate if talking is observed by course observers. Team and map hikers should not distract other runners, i.e. extra noise or activity might break the concentration of a serious competitor. Thanks!
13. The U.S. Orienteering Federation (USOF) is recognized by the International Orienteering Federation and the US Olympic Committee. It's Mission Statement is to:
a. Provide orienteering as a viable and attractive recreation choice for US outdoors enthusiasts.
b. Promote orienteering for education, personal development, and environmental awareness.
c. Improve the competitive performance of US orienteering athletes to world class levels.
d. National Orienteering Day is the weekend of our clinic. Therefore we are declaring Saturday, September 15, 2007 as the day we will celebrate and recognize the sport of Orienteering. We will have some handouts and some prizes. Should be fun - and a worthwhile cause.
14. Environmental Awareness: Please help us achieve the objectives of the The ALTOS Environmental Management and Awareness Plan by insuring that others are aware of and encouraged to conform to these objectives The objectives are:
a. Adopt a policy of environmental awareness, responsibility and stewardship.
b. Solicit input from land managers regarding designated environmentally sensitive areas.
c. Call attention to environmental issues as they are recognized.
d. Publish Environmental Objectives in ALTOS Newsletters, Meet Director's Notes, and Orienteering Lesson Plans. The Information included shall be, but not be limited to:
(1) Environmental issues concerning the venue in use.
(2) General environmental precautions.
(3) Invitation to report observed environmental discrepancies.
(4) Orienteering etiquette relating to the event and/or venue.