Delaware Valley Orienteering Association

Generally speaking, a score-o has a fixed time limit and the objective is to collect as many control points, of your choosing and any order, within that time limit. For this event, the time limit is 2 hours, which is not much different than the time many people spend on their usual courses (i.e., this is not a rogaine-like endurance event). Spread across the map are controls with the usual control numbers (30s to 60s), and getting a control collects the tens-place number of points (3 for 30s, 4 for 40s, and so on). Everyone will start at the same time and finish roughly the same time--great for socializing afterward. So, not too complicated.

I've tried to design the "course" (everyone gets the same map) to be a fun challenge across the range of technical and physical capabilities. There is a mix of technically easy to hard control locations spread near and far. With a little help, even a new beginner should get it, but anyone capable of doing a yellow course or beyond should readily enjoy the challenge. For the most advanced runners, it's possible but unlikely, I think, to run the table and get all the controls--in which case the fastest time wins. For them, it may be more like a stumble/goat event where deciding which few controls to skip will be a large part of the strategy.

If you particularly enjoy the mental challenge of orienteering, then this event should be on your do-not-miss list. It has all the fun parts of a regular event, with a layer of real-time puzzle on top! I hope to see you there.

More details and course notes will be out soon.

Fred