Another way to experience orienteering is to try a Permanent Orienteering course (POC). POC's are set up using wooden posts or plaques as control markers. There are usually short, easy courses for beginners with controls at path junctions. Further courses progress through a range of map reading skills to find controls a short distance from paths and finally in more remote locations.
Some Permanent Orienteering Courses have 'wheelchair' courses which allow people with limited mobility to follow well-made tracks in order to find trackside controls.
You can do a Permanent Orienteering Course any time you wish simply by purchasing a Map Pack which contains a map and instructions. You will also need a pen, outdoor clothing and trainers. No other costs are involved.
Click here to visit the British Orienteering website and find one of over 370 POC courses across the UK. One could be closer than you think:
