Youth Learn-To Programs
Orienteering Ottawa's action-packed Learn-To programs have been running since 2015. This fall we've got loads of fun and exciting running and navigation activities planned. We will be exploring a great mix of park and forest spaces - perfect for fun games and orienteering challenges!
Registration for the Fall 2024 offering of Orienteering Ottawa’s Learn-To programs is now closed. See below for sign-up links
Program Details
What is it?
Who can take part?
Our youth programs are designed for all youth aged 6-16 years. We offer our Basics and Beyond program for individuals age 16 and over. 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 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..
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!
Program Preview Night
An information session will take place on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 6:30 PM at the Mlacak Center in Kanata. The information session will take place in Hall C, and youth will be able to take part in an activity outside in the park!
The information session's aim is to answer any questions about orienteering, our approach to coaching, the general content and which age group might be suitable for the Learn-to Orienteer program.
If possible, please let us know if you plan to attend and the age(s) of youth that may be there with you, so that we will be better prepared by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Program Levels
FUNdamentals (aged 6-9)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
Basics and Beyond (Age 16 and over)
The Basics and Beyond program is for individuals age 16 and over. The program’s curriculum takes you through reading the map, essential compass skills and gets you comfortable with navigating on your own! Basics and Beyond is suitable for complete beginners and novice orienteers.
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 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.
Coming Prepared
- 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 headlamp: In the fall, the sun sets early! A good headlamp allows you to see your map and controls in the terrain. A headlap is required for all sessions.
- A sense of adventure! Do we really need to explain this one?
Registration
Program | Cost | |
---|---|---|
Youth Learn-to Program |
$135 |
|
Adult Learn-to Program |
$135 + HST |
|
Your registration in the program includes:
- An Orienteering Ottawa membership, which expires December 31, 2025
- 8 weeks of programming and coaching
- Family pass entry to the Vampire-O, an Orienteering Ottawa halloween tradition! Event date, timing and location to be announced ($32 value)
Communication
All official communication for the Learn-to programs will be done through email, based on addresses provided in registration.
Attention! Please do not unsubscribe from the Learn-to program’s mailing list, as you will no longer receive important notifications about the program. Emails are removed from the list at the end of each season, so you won’t continue to receive emails about the program that aren’t relevant to you.
You will receive an email confirmation when you register. Then, expect to receive emails 1.5-2 weeks prior to the start of the program. An additional email will be sent a few days before your first session with important 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.
Have questions? Contact our programs team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Program Schedule
Dates | Location |
---|---|
Week 1-4 |
All Saints High School |
Week 5-8 |
Hog’s Back Park |
This is a rain or shine program! Only in the event of dangerous conditions arising due to lightning or other extreme weather will practice be canceled. If we have to cancel a session at the last minute we will contact everyone by email 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 email before heading out.
Complimentary Events
During the final week of the program, we invite you to the Vampire-O; an Orienteering Ottawa halloween tradition! 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!
Get Involved: Volunteer!
We are always looking for help coordinating the Youth Learn-to program. 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 checks in at the beginning of the program and checked out at the end of the night, 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.