Minnesota Orienteering Club: Permanent Orienteering Courses

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Permanent Orienteering Courses

Permanent orienteering courses (POCs) are an excellent way to provide a training area for new and seasoned orienteers alike. Once established, they require zero set up and enable the orienteer or teacher or troop leader to arrive at the park and just GO ORIENTEERING! The 8.5" x 11" color maps can easily be laminated and used over and over again.

MNOC has set up permanent orienteering courses at the following locations:

Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Washington County, MN

Lake Elmo Park Reserve has three courses: a 1.5 km beginner, a 2.5 km intermediate, and a 4.5 km advanced. The control points are marked by labelled brown fiberglass posts. The park is open to the public during daylight hours and requires a Washington County Parks permit. POC packets, including the map and clue sheets, can be purchased at the park office or online from MNOC.

Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Township, MN

A new permanent orienteering course with 24 control points and courses from easy (600 meters) to advanced (5.3 km) was designed and installed by a joint team from Tamarack Nature Center (TNC) and MNOC in 2006. TNC is a 323 acre facility with over four miles of woodchipped paths, paved trails and boardwalks which provide year-round access to a diverse, natural community that includes red fox, deer, woodcock and other wildlife, as well as ever-changing seasonal foliage. TNC also offers orienteering classes for groups and instruction for group leaders/teachers. Information about TNC is available from their website. More information about the orienteering courses is also available. Permanent course maps can be purchased for $4.00 at the nature center or online from MNOC.

Wirth Park, Minneapolis/Golden Valley, MN

Wirth Park has three courses: a 600 meter beginner, a 1.8 km intermediate, and a 3.0 km advanced. The control points are marked by by 4" by 4" wooden posts about 3 feet high. The park is open during daylight hours, and there is a parking fee. POC packets, including the map and clue sheets, can be purchased online from MNOC.

Katherine Abbott Park, Mahtomedi, MN

Katherine Abbott Park has three courses: a 600 meter compass and pace course; a 600 meter beginner course, and a 1.2 km intermediate course. The control points are marked by short 4" by 4" wooden posts. The park is open to the public during daylight hours, and there is no entry fee. POC packets, including the map and clue sheets, can be purchased online from MNOC.

William O'Brien State Park, near Marine on St Croix, MN

There are three courses at William O'Brien: a 1.4 km beginner, a 3.3 km intermediate, and a 5.1 km advanced. The control points are marked by green metal posts with a wooden marker. The park is open during daylight hours, and a MN state park vehicle permit is required. POC packets, including the map and clue sheets, can be purchased online from MNOC.

Roseville Area Middle School, Little Canada, MN

The Roseville Area Middle School permanent course is beginner level. The 19 control points are marked by labelled small orange and white markers. There are several different course options around 1 to 2 km in length. The school grounds are open to the public during daylight hours. POC packets, including the map and clue sheet, can be purchased online online from MNOC.

Minnetonka High School, Minnetonka, MN

The 2 km Minnetonka HS permanent course is beginner to intermediate level. The 20 control points are marked by labelled brown fiberglass posts. The high school grounds are open to the public during daylight hours. POC packets, including the map and clue sheet, can be purchased online from MNOC.

Camp Hantesa, near Boone, IA

Camp Hantesa has 3 courses: beginner, intermediate and advanced. The control points are marked by labelled brown fiberglass posts. Contact the camp for access information by email, or at (515)-432-1417. POC packets, including the map and clue sheets, can be purchased at the camp or online from MNOC.

Sertoma Park (The Outdoor Campus), near Sioux Falls, SD

A new permanent O course has been established by the Outdoor Campus and an MNOC team at Sertoma Park in the southwest part of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It has 24 control points, beginner courses (1.0 km in length) and 2 intermediate courses (2.2 km and 3.2 km in length). It is located at Sertoma Park on The Outdoor Campus at 4500 S Oxbow Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57106. The Outdoor Campus holds classes in all aspects of outdoor sport and recreation. Maps are available during opening hours at the Outdoor Campus or online from MNOC.