Irishmans Recreation Area - Self Timed Training Courses
August 9th 2020 10:00am - 1:00pm
Organizer: Pam James (Event Director)
We are hosting a non-competitive training event on Sunday, August 9, at Irishmans Recreation area in Windsor, NS.
It is very important to read the information below in its entirety to be certain you understand the precautions and expectations for this event with respect to COVID-19.
Event details:
The event will include 3 training courses, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. The courses will be available on regular, paper maps (pick up your own on the day of the event), as well as on the MapRunF smartphone app (see below). Please bring your own map bag if you have one.
Event fees for this event are by donation (recommended donation is normal event fee: $10/adult, $5/child, $15/group, $25 family max). A donation container will be provided, with no change available.
Beginner instruction will be available on site.
Event timing:
Open self-directed start window from 10am - 1pm. Participants can obtain instructions and maps and complete the various courses at their leisure within the time window. Please take care to appropriately social distance from other participants/groups.
Registration:
In addition to registering here, all participants must complete a 2020 Orienteering NS Membership form (no charge), waiver and health declaration for each family member. The membership form and waiver can be completed electronically here:
The Membership form has a link to the waiver so it can be done in conjunction.
The health declaration is completed on the day of the event. You may print your own and sign in advance if you wish. The form can be found here: http://www.orienteering.ca/wordpress/wp-content/up... Paper membership/waiver forms will be available as well - please bring your own pen if you need to complete them on-site.
Info about the MapRunF Smartphone app:
This is a (free!) app for your smartphone that is used to ‘punch’ the controls electronically. Using this along with regular controls (no punches) will minimize touch points on the course. MapRunF is available for download through Google Play or the Apple AppStore. The course map will appear on your phone, but you can also just keep it in your pocket to hear alerts/record data, and use a paper map as you normally would.
NEW: For those with a Garmin device, you can also download MapRunG through Garmin Connect IQ. With this app, you can leave your phone behind and the watch will alert you when you have reached controls, and you can download your results to MapRunF afterwards.
**UPDATE** Courses on MapRunF:
Sunday’s courses will be added to MapRunF by the registration deadline (search ‘events’ under ‘Nova Scotia’). For those planning to use this app, we would recommend downloading the courses ahead of time to minimize data usage.
Once you have downloaded the course(s) you wish to complete, you can select the event and ‘go to start’ to make sure that has downloaded correctly, however a PIN code will be required to open the event on your smartphone. This will be provided at the event.
You will also notice an event called “Irishmans 2020 bonus” in MapRunF that you can download. This is an additional course comprised of control locations in an open area for those who would like to compare how the app works in an open area versus in the woods.
COVID-19 Information and precautions:
Public health regulations will be followed for this event. For participants, this means:
- All participants must sign a membership form for Orienteering Nova Scotia (no fee - for insurance purposes), waiver and health declaration form prior to participating - this can now be done electronically. We will have paper forms available on-site as well (bring your own pen!)
- A list of participants and contact information will be maintained and made available to NS Public Health on request
- Training and/or instruction will occur in pods of up to 10 people, who must not mingle with other pods for the duration of the event.
- To maintain social distancing, a registration cap of 45 will apply
- Maps will be distributed in a self-serve format
- Participants will be expected to follow Orienteering Canada’s guidelines for modified orienteering activities:
GUIDELINES FOR INDIVIDUALS FOR Modified TRADITIONAL ORIENTEERING ACTIVITiES
Guidelines from Authorities
- (Required) If you have any COVID-19 symptoms as defined by health authorities, stay home.
- (Required) If you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, stay home.
- (Required) Always respect and follow the guidelines, recommendations and regulations from your local, provincial and federal health authorities and governments.
Sign a Declaration of Health
- (Required) You must bring a signed Declaration of Health document (available from your orienteering club/association) EVERY TIME you come to an orienteering activity. You will not be able to orienteer if you have not completed and signed the form. This form cannot be signed in advance; it must be signed on the day of the activity. This is an absolute requirement with no exceptions.
Be Appreciative
- Please remember to be appreciative of any opportunities you have to be outdoors, active and orienteering. Be patient with others, be forgiving, be kind, stay safe, and thank the volunteers who make an orienteering opportunity of any sort possible for you.
- As always, respect the course closing time. Remember that an official is waiting for you at the finish to record that you have returned safely.
Bring Your Own Supplies
- When participating in any sort of orienteering event bring your own supplies to help prevent undesired contact
- drinks, including water, and filled water bottle
- pre- and post-race food or snacks
- cleaning supplies such as hand sanitizer or soap and water for washing hands (hand sanitizer will be available on-site as well)
- your event map if you are printing your map at home
- map bag for your course map (if paper map is being used) unless organizers are providing pre-bagged maps
- bag to store your personal belongings in so that they are collected in one location separate from others’ belongings
- Your equipment (compass, whistle, etc) as there will not be any available to rent or borrow from the event organizers.
- Remember that toilet facilities may not be available on-site.
Personal Health and Safety
- Your own health and safety is of paramount importance - being competitive is not! Be sure that health and hygiene trump competitiveness. These are training activities - not competitions.
- Consider wearing a mask when not out on course. Guidelines are changing daily with regards to personal protective equipment, please stay up to date on the government recommendations.
- For older people or those with underlying health conditions remember to follow the guidelines of your local health authorities regarding personal safety specific to seniors or people with compromising conditions.
- Eliminate contact with communal surfaces at the start and finish areas.
- Do not touch orienteering flags or ribbons.
Children and Families
- If participating as a group, consider restricting your group to your household “bubble”.
- If you are orienteering with children remind them to not touch equipment and flags.
General Hygiene
- Please be sure to follow basic personal hygiene rules:
- Sneeze and cough into your elbow or sleeve
- Use hand sanitizer frequently (soap and water is even better if possible)
- Consider wearing a mask when around other people
- No spitting or intentional fluid discharge (no “snot rockets”)
- Dispose of all tissues responsibly
Hanging Around - or Not!
- Do not hang around on site before or after the event.
- If you are waiting for family members, wait for them away from the finish area and maintain physical distancing from other people who may be around.
- Organizers may offer an online post-orienteering get-together. Join in if you can.
More information regarding COVID-19, specific to orienteering activities can be found at:
Orienteering Nova Scotia: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B-ChR3vgg191xhjt4o-RzGGC3_7BYRqn/view
Orienteering Canada: http://www.orienteering.ca/resources/covid-19/
Questions? Need more information on this event? ValleyOrienteering@outlook.com