Youth Learn-To Programs

Orienteering Ottawa's Youth Learn-To programs have been running since 2015, and are our action-packed junior programs. This spring we've got loads of fun and exciting running and navigation activities planned. We offer sessions in both the West and East end of Ottawa, where we will be exploring a great mix of park and forest spaces - perfect for fun games and orienteering challenges!

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR OUR 2024 SPRING PROGRAM.

Registration may still be available on a case-by-case basis. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about openings in the group of your choosing.

Program Details

What is it? The Program consists of once-per-week sessions designed to challenge participants both physically and mentally. Kids will improve their running speed, agility, endurance, strength, problem-solving, and navigational skills - all packaged for the most FUN possible. 

Who can take part? Our programs are designed for all youth aged 6-16 years, and all of our program levels are aligned with Orienteering Canada and Sport for Life's guidelines for age appropriate sport and orienteering. If you are not sure if your child is a good fit for the program or if you are are wondering which program level is best for your child, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Program schedule: All sessions run for 1 hour between 6:30-7:30pm. Our West-end program will run on Tuesday evenings beginning on April 16, 2024. Our East-end program will run on Wednesday evenings beginning on April 17, 2024. A detailed program schedule can be found below. The program is 8 weeks long, with week 8 culminating with our first Summer Solstice event (June 4th - more below).

Programs will be delivered in English. However, we may be able to accommodate some program instruction in French. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that we can deliver the best coaching we can in French or English.

Information Session

There is a FREE information session at 6:30pm for anyone interested in our youth program or our Basics and Beyond program (our Adult Learn-to program) which runs at the same time as our kids program) where we will discuss how our programs work and offer you a chance to ask any questions you might have. There will be signage from the parking lot showing you where to go.

Children are welcome to come as well. There will be program-style activities for them to do with one of our coaches.

• West end - Tuesday March 26, Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre, Britannia Park.
• East end - Wednesday, March 27, Colonel By Secondary School (library).

Program levels:

FUNdamentals (aged 6-9)

Our FUNdamentals program is catered to our youngest participants, offered for youth aged 6 to 9 years old. This level is suitable for youth with no orienteering experience, or beginner level experience.

Over the course of 8 weeks participants will:

• Participate in fun games and activities
• Spend time outdoors
• Explore forests and natural areas on trails
• Learn map-reading and navigation skills
• Improve their running speed, agility, coordination and strength
• Make friends

Learn to Train (ages 10-12)

Our Learn to Train program is designed to help develop sport-specific skills by providing participants with both physical and mental challenges. We offer the program to youth aged 10-12 years with no orienteering experience or beginner level experience. 

Over the course of the 8 weeks, participants will:

• Learn sport specific skills through games and activities
• Advance program solving and planning skills,
• Begin to explore forests and natural areas off trail
• Advance map-reading and navigation skills
• Improve their running speed, agility, coordination and strength
• Make friends

Adventure Program (ages 13-16)

Our Adventure Program is our non-competitive program for youth aged 13 to 16 years old who already have beginner level experience. This level is suitable for those who want to continue past the Learn to Train level, but want to continue developing their skills before joining our competitive training programs. As a non-competitive program, the primary focus of the Adventure Program is on providing a fun social setting for progressing orienteering and athletic skills through different challenges. Our coaches will help participants get safely out of their comfort zone to try new adventures and learn new things. 

Over the course of the 8 weeks, participants will:

• Process their trail running skills
• Develop off-trail running skills
• Advance their map reading skills
• Learn more advanced navigation and relocation techniques 
• Learn how to use a compass
• Make friends

All of our programs are aligned with Orienteering Canada and Sport for Life's guidelines for age appropriate sport and orienteering. 

Already completed one of our programs in the past? No worries! If this is the case, consider moving one level up in our programs, regardless of the age of your child. 

If you are not sure if your child is a good fit for the program or if you are are wondering which program level is best for your child, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Participant age is determined by their age as of December 31, 2024.

What do I need to bring?

Running shoes

Trail running shoes with a good tread are ideal as we will be moving on trails, grass and through forested areas. Other types of road running shoes may be suitable, but prepare to get dirty! Your child will be walking and running during the program - rubber boots or casual sneakers are not recommended. 

Long pants

We recommend your child wear pants/bottoms that cover the full leg as we will be running in long grass and in the woods which like to scratch at bare legs.

Clothes that can get dirty

Remember to dress ready to explore in clothes that are appropriate for the weather. It is likely to vary greatly throughout the season so check the forecast before you leave. We guarantee that you will get to enjoy the mud at least once!

Water bottle

There will be a spot you can leave water bottle for the hour so you won't need to carry it with you. 

Safety Whistle

A basic precaution for all Orienteering Ottawa events and programs.

A sense of adventure!

Do we really need to explain this one?

Weather Conditions

This is a rain or shine program! Only in the event of dangerous conditions arising due to an electrical storm or other extreme weather will practice be canceled.

If we have to cancel a session at the last minute we will contact everyone by e-mail using the information provided with registration. We will contact you by 4:30 on the day-of so if the weather is questionable check your e-mail before heading out.

Times and Location

We will meet at the designated location for a 6:30 start each day. Please be there promptly as we regularly move away from the start location for our evening's activities and it may be difficult to find us if you are late. Sessions end at 7:30.

Complementary events

The final week (week 8) of this program will conclude with the first Summer Solstice meet of the year (June 4). With registration for this program, you will receive a family pass entry to this event. It will be a fun adventure to show off all of your new skills you've developed over the previous weeks, and to explore with friends and family!

Bring a Friend Day 

On a specific day during the 7 weeks, we invite you to bring along a friend who you think might enjoy the program. We will be doing all of our most fun activities and want to share that fun with everyone. We ask that each participant bring along no more than a single friend to keep numbers manageable. Thank you for your understanding! You'll be given lots of heads up about this date in advance!

Registration

Registration is closed for our spring 2024 programs. Registration may still be available on a case-by-case basis. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about openings in the group of your choosing.

Program Fee

$135.00 per child 

This includes:

• 2024 Orienteering Ottawa youth membership ($10 value) 
• 8 weeks of programming and coaching
• Family pass entry to a Summer Solstice meet - Tuesday evening June 4 (week 8 of program)  ($32 value)

 Additional notes:

• All participants will need to fill in and submit an insurance waiver when registering.

Volunteering

We are always looking for help coordinating the kids during practice. If you are interested in volunteering and enjoy running (or even if you don't), please join us! You will be able to let us know your volunteer preferences when you register for the program.

We have three roles that we are looking for help with:

Group coach

Group coaches are responsible for delivering the material provided in the lesson plan by the program coordinator and works with the group assistants to lead a group of 10-15 kids.

Group assistant

Group assistants work with the group coach to make sure everyone in the group is present at all times, marshal kids where needed and keep the program running smoothly. We like to have two group assistants with each group of 10 to 15 kids.

On site assistant

On site assistants are responsible for making sure everyone gets checked in and out, keep an eye on equipment at the meeting point and point people in the right direction if they are running a little late.

If you don't feel prepared to help out, but still want to get involved, consider joining our Basics and Beyond program  for parents and others new to orienteering. In 8 weeks you'll be brought up to speed while your kids enjoy their own fun-filled program.

Note: All parent volunteers will be asked to fill out a screening disclosure form prior to working with the kids in the program. We will provide this to you prior to the start of the program.

Communication

All official communication for this program will be done via email. We will be adding participants to an email list after they sign up. Please do not unsubscribe from this list as you will no longer receive important notifications about the program. We clear the list at the end of each season before adding the next season’s participants to the list.

You will receive an email confirmation when you register. You can also expect to receive emails 1.5-2 weeks prior to the start of the program and also a few days before your first session with pre-season program information and details.

Note that program emails are sent from the address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Some email systems will sort our emails into junk or spam boxes. Please check for our emails there if you do not get them when you expect to, and add this address as a contact.

Upon registration, the program coordinator will provide you with a phone number for urgent inquiries during program hours for faster communication.

Have questions? Contact our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..