Forest Training Program - Session 1 Training

Map: Bow Valley Provincial Park North

What?

The Forest Training Program provides club members with an opportunity to train in forest terrain on a regular basis. The training and terrain are more technical and give club orienteers a chance to hone their skills as well as run in the mountain parks on the weekend. Some of these sessions will be run in conjunction with SOGO L3 on Sunday mornings.

When and Where?

Time: 10:30 - Noon (Arrive earlier if you want to warm up before going on the map.)

The Forest Training Program will run for a total of 10 weeks - 8 weeks in the spring and 2 weeks in July. There will be several weeks where the session is NOT scheduled to allow participants to compete at different events (Prairie Opener at Rumsey, Morningside, Sage Stomp in Kamloops, and Beaver Lake event near Red Deer). The Forest trainings in July are intended to help participants prepare for NAOC 2018 in August.

Locations:

For whom?

New this year, these sessions will be open to all skill levels from forest beginner to advanced. We will have coaches available for all levels. However, participants should be comfortable in the forest. Where maps do not lend themselves to beginner courses, novice orienteers will have a chance to run through the forest (off trail) on a flagged route (with some orienteering challenges). Orienteers from other clubs are welcome.

On-line registration is mandatory (as cancellations and changes to locations will be communicated by email from that list) but registration will accommodate pay in-person and drop-in options.

Safety Information

Orienteering is an outdoor activity that carries a risk of personal injury due to natural and man-made hazards and environmental conditions. In addition to this, for orienteers in the Bow Valley and other parks close to Calgary, there is the risk of an encounter with a bear or other large mammal. The participant acknowledges these risks and agrees to take responsibility by

1. understanding the potential dangers (as described in the waiver on the registration page);
2. knowing the safety bearing on the map;
3. knowing the maximum allowed time AND returning on time;
4. informing the coach when they are back; and
5. acting responsibly in the forest to reduce risk, especially in the event of a large animal encounter. This may include carrying bear spray (and knowing how to use it appropriately).

The organizers of orienteering events prepare a Safety and Emergency Action Plan that covers how to reasonably minimize these risks and what to do in case of participant injury or if a participant is overdue. The Coach at these trainings is also the Safety Chief and has up-to-date First Aid certification.

Bear Spray

• Carrying bear spray in trainings and races is recommended for all adults.
• Most FWOC club members run with bear spray in the forest.
• All coaches will carry bear spray.

Bear Spray Information

The Government of Alberta has several different documents to access to improve your knowledge of bears:

1. Government of Alberta: Alberta BearSmart: http://aep.alberta.ca/recreation-public-use/albert...
2. Government of Alberta SRD: Bear deterrents: http://aep.alberta.ca/recreation-public-use/albert...
3. Government of Alberta: BearSmart Colouring & Activity Book: http://aep.alberta.ca/recreation-public-use/albert...
4. Government of Canada: safety video regarding Bear Encounters and the Proper Use of Bear Spray: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/mtn/ours-bears/securite-safety/gaz-spray.aspx

How to carry bear spray during your training:

• Bear Cozy – a bear spray holder that fits directly into the water bottle holder on your waist-belt.
• Scat Belt – a special waist belt designed to carry bear spray. http://www.scatbelt.com/

Location