Orienteering teaching training has been facilitated in Limerick in 2018 and 2020. Teachers from 25 schools across Limerick City and County have received training from The Irish Orienteering Association. All schools also received a map of their grounds and a resource pack.
Orienteering is a competitive sport that combines racing with navigation, using the geographical skills of map reading and the physical activity of running or walking. Orienteering develops many transferable skills and links with both the Primary and Secondary PE Curriculum. Orienteering is surprisingly easy to implement and school grounds are often the best choice for a first-time, outdoor experience. It can be done both indoors and outdoors (making it a weatherproof adventure activity!) and without having to leave the school. The ‘real life’ problem solving skills experienced in orienteering can help make geography, maths and science much more relevant for students, whilst also helping them build on their confidence, communication and social skills.
You can easily sketch your own map of your grounds and set out your own courses.
Check out the following links and resources which will help you to set up orienteering in your own school:
Tri-O- Orienteering made easy
Irish Orienteering Association
Irish Orienteering Schools Blog
For more information on schools orienteering, please contact Eadaoin at eloughman@limericksports.ie.