The second orienteering event of the year will bring us back to Cooper Lake State Park. We’ve had some big meets at this scenic park in previous years, even a National Interscholastic Championship, but this year we simply cannot host large gatherings in public parks.
Do-it-Yourself Format
This event will be “orienteering without the meet” again, like we did at Gateway and Harry Moss in the fall. The DIY format will follow state and local COVID regulations, adhere to COVID guidance from Orienteering USA, our sport’s national governing body, and hopefully, protect the health of participants and organizers. We will encourage distancing by extending the duration of the event and eliminating the need for anyone to touch equipment that is used by other runners.
The event will begin when the park opens on Saturday, Jan. 30, and extend over 9 days through Sunday, Feb. 7. You can choose any day and time you want to run, but you ought to check with Cooper Lake State Park for current conditions and to see if reservations will be needed, before you make the trip.
Think of it as a training event, or a permanent course that only lasts nine days. There will be no onsite organizational presence: no registration tent, no lines, no cost, no punching, no scorecards, no scoring, no DQ’s, no awards. Just orienteering fun. Bring your own water and gear. Unlike the previous DIY events, controls will be the traditional orange and white markers used at most meets.
There will be NO BEGINNER (AKA WHITE) COURSE. There are several reasons for this:
Beginners can participate by running on the ‘yellow’ course with a more experienced runner (ideally a family member or leader) while following safety precautions.
Meet Director: Ralph Courtney ……. Meet Director notes (not yet – check back)
Course Setter: Jim Stevens……..Course Setter notes (not yet – check back)
We’ll be offering three courses: Yellow (shortest and easiest), Brown (short but more advanced), and Green or Red (longest and most advanced).
Scoring: Honor system! Feel free to post your finishing time and perhaps a screenshot of your marked-up map in our Facebook Group after the event is over!
Scouts: A Merit Badge clinic will not be offered, but running the Yellow course will qualify for the badge. Please contact BSA Liaison Ralph Courtney for instructions on doing the required report.
Controls will be in the field when the park opens on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 30. The event ends when the park closes on Sunday, Feb. 7 and control markers will be removed on Monday, Feb. 8.
INSTRUCTIONS:
We’re not charging event fees for this virtual, self-serve event, but donations are always appreciated! We’re a non-profit organization.
The state park charges an entry fee of $5 for adults and children age 13 and older. School sponsored groups should contact the park for special rates.
Cooper Lake State Park has two separate units. This event is located in the South Sulphur Unit on the south shore of the lake. (DO NOT go to the Doctor’s Creek Unit near the town of Cooper on the north shore.)
From Dallas or Fort Worth:
From Denton or McKinney:
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