Orienteering for M/W10's

[SeanC]

We had a lot of chat about Xplorer and how BOF may or may not be referring lots of families with junior school aged children (say aged 5-11) to clubs after they've done Xplorer.

What do clubs currently offer children of this age group? What is "good practice"? Or is mainstream orienteering just not suitable for this age group and they should come back when they are older?

(Please could you put any negative stuff about BOF/Xplorer on the other threads, it would be good if this thread was just about things clubs do now or could do. )

[andypat]

We try and offer something suitable for this age group at all our Monthly coaching sessions on Sat mornings. Its not easy as we dont have that many any ideally you want half a dozen to make it interesting. Ideally also you'd want to do it more often but its pressure of time on coaches that stops that.

[bewildered]

We have a Thursday evening session aimed at that age group and their parents. It was started with funding from the BO Community nights, but is now self-funded (just).

We tend to get 5-7 families coming. Everything we do is indoors, using cone mazes and lots of other activities. The main emphasis is on the basics of orientating the map and understanding the map symbols.

When kids go on from this, either to UVHS or in to main stream orienteering, we find that they do the basics well, i.e. getting the map the right way round.

The club has gained a small number of families from this route.

[SeanC]

What's UVHS Bewildered?

Anything else clubs do? What do clubs offer at events? For example do any clubs still routinely offer string courses at all their events?

What happens abroad?

[bewildered]

Ulverston Victoria High School.

They have 20-30 year 7s starting each year.

[Big Jon]

They have 20-30 year 7s starting each year.

What does "Year 7" mean in real life?

[RichT]

Year 7 in England is first year in Secondary school so the kids will be 11 yrs old when they start in the September. Usual problem of retention as they progress but we're currently taking two minibus loads to the Wednesday evening event program.

[graeme]

What does "Year 7" mean in real life?

P7

[keever]

What does "Year 7" mean in real life?

S1

[graeme]

What does "Year 7" mean in real life?

M12

[Stodgetta]

Or M14... (or even W12/14!!)