Brief History
Orienteering has its origins in the forests of Scandinavia.  The first public orienteering event was held in Norway in 1897.  Before that orienteering had been used as a form of army training, and the word 'orienteering' was used to mean crossing unknown territory with the aid of a map and compass as early as 1886.
In 1961 the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) was formed with ten member countries: The British Orienteering Federation (BOF) was formed in 1967.

Facilities and Equipment Required
To experience the full flavour and excitement of orienteering - and to get assistance and advice - you need to attend an orienteering event. The most common event put on by local clubs offers a series of courses ranging in length and difficulty. Details of your local club can be obtained at your local library or on http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/.

You will need to arrange transport to the event and take the following items with you:

• Comfortable clothes for walking or running.
• Trainers or walking shoes.
• Cagoule.
• Red biro.
• Transparent plastic bag.
• Compass.
• Money for the entry fee.
• Whistle.

Benefits
Orienteering involves learning the skill of map reading and interpretation. It means overcoming the challenge set by the planner by solving a series of problems. You will get in shape or stay fit. The sport is very sociable and you will make lots of new friends and visit a variety of unusual places.

Variations
There are four orienteering disciplines.

• Foot Orienteering involves cross-country navigation through a series of pre-determined control points on foot.
• Ski Orienteering uses ski trails.
• Mountain Bike Orienteering uses trails and bridleways.
• Trail Orienteering is sometimes called 'control choice' orienteering allowing physically disabled competitors to compete on equal terms with able bodied.