Fresher's Week Ideas

[RickyP]

Hi all

After a very inactive year for Newcastle Uni Orienteering Club, where basically nothing as such was organised, I have now been elected President in an attempt to get the club going again.

Would other uni o clubs let me know what has worked well at fresher's week.

I'm updating the campus o-map which was last used at the 2009 JK.

Regards

Richard
Newcastle University Orienteering Club

[AndyC]

You know you can call on the resources of NATO to help -and you know where to find me ( If you are who I think you are) .
I'll make sure the other relevant people in the club are aware.

[SeanC]

Hi Richard,

if you haven't done so already, it's worth contacting the BOF development manager Ed Nicholas who will have plenty of advice and possibly more material support as university orienteering is one of the key priorities of the development program. edward@britishorienteering.org.uk

Sean.

[Street]

Get in touch with the other student clubs directly on British University Orienteering Tours
http://www.facebook.com/British.Uni.Orienteering

[daffdy]

CUOC goes to the Freshers' Fair, then runs a freshers' squash (potential newbies meet existing members for chat and snacks/drinks - no actual orienteering occurs but a good social), and a freshers' event (simple event in a park, ideally with coaches and experienced orienteers).

Biggest problem seems to be dispelling preconceptions of orienteering - too many think it's all about walking with a group and a flask of tea...we try to fix this with good posters/flyers and enthusiasm.

[Taybank]

Get a few copies of Year of the Perfect Run to pass around.
All advertising and joking aside one of my ideas in writing the book was to produce somthing that anyone - not just dyed in the wool orienteers - would enjoy reading and get a real idea of what orienteering is about - a dynamic running sport that anyone _ even an aging wrinkly lke me - can do, enjoying the running and the thinking.
How many running websites do you go into and find a whole range of "running sports" (even cycling swimming running triathlon) but no mention of orienteering.

[ba-ba]

Good posters, flyers and a big eye-catching item on the stall back-board if you have one. Some videos/picture slideshows on a screen on the stall - contact the BUOT guys as there's a few knocking about that may be useful/can be used as a reference.

Flyer should have info of a few events in the following weeks - a social and a Come And Try It event are the minimum. Try and make events you go to as good quality as possible (sprint/park events are good as they offer a good place to start but still with the challenge. From what I remember of JK09 Exhibition(?) Park would suffice - maybe ask NATO if they would put on a small event - preferably with SI - that you could bring people along to).

But most importantly, be enthusiastic and welcoming, stick with it if initially there's not much interest, and keep as far away from pyjama suits and urban gaitors as possible!

I'm localish so hopefully see you at some event in the Autumn! Feel free to drop me a PM.

[AndyC]

By coincidence dustytoo and I were in Exhibition Park today checking the map for an event in the very near future (some significant new features have been added recently) and then onto a rather soggy Town Moor (The Hoppings have also wreaked havoc) which is also mapped.
We also have Leazes Park mapped (used for the TempO in that JK) and dustytoo tells me he has three trees left to put onto a (very small) map of the city centre which we're looking for a date to christen with an event.
Add to that Jesmond Dene/Vale and UNOC will have a lot of land mapped within walking distance (not exactly top class forest but OK to get going)