These coach led sessions, will give intermediate and advanced orienteers the opportunity to learn and improve techinques.   Each week we will start with a short group discussion led by the coach and then do a hands-on training exercise that focuses on a particular aspect of your orienteering technique. This exercise may consist of a single course or it may consist of several loops. For those looped exercises there will be a chance to talk to the coach in between so you can get feedback before heading into the woods again. We will end each session with a group discussion and debrief to talk about how the exercise went and what you can do to practice this element of your orienteering technique. 

Please note that these sessions are not for beginners. You need to have the basic skills already and be able to run at least at an intermediate course difficulty.

Times and Locations

We offer Thursday Navigation Training over 8 weeks in the spring and 8 weeks in the fall.  Each week we visit a different venue to give you experience in many types of terrain.

Additionally, program members are encouraged to discuss your Sunday races and compare notes with each other and with the coach each week. Our weekly races, though not formally part of the program, are an excellent opportunity to practice your new techniques and learn from each session in the woods. We hope to see you on Sunday mornings!  See the event calendar for scheduled locations each week.  Clicking on any of the events in the calendar will take you to a page with details about the session. Some sessions are in the forest, and some are urban sprint training. 

Practices start at 6:30 sharp (please be a few minutes early) and run until 8pm.   

Weather and Safety Policies

All of our programs are rain or shine (or snow or wind…). Only in the event of dangerous conditions arising due to an electrical storm or other extreme weather will a program session be canceled, in which case we will send out an e-mail two hours prior to the start of the session.

There are a few risks to be aware of when playing and spending time in wild areas in the outdoors. The major ones in the Ottawa area are ticks, poison ivy, and wild parsnip. You can find out more about these risks on our safety page .

Please note that for the forest sessions you must carry a whistle.

At all training sessions there is a sign in sheet, and you have to sign out before leaving at the end of the session so we know everyone is safely out of the forest.

For Fall training you will need to have a headlamp. We recommend a headlamp with a rating of at least 500 lumens and more is better. If you have any questions about headlamps just ask (stefan@ottawaoc.ca)

Registration Info

Registration for a single session is $5(incl. tax) and can be paid in person upon arrival.  Please bring correct change.

OR you can purchase a training pass for $25 (incl. tax) for an 8 week season.  Team Canada members can participate for free. 
  PURCHASE YOUR PASS HERE     (As this is a member's only program, you will need to sign in first.)

Participants should email stefan@ottawaoc.ca by Wednesday morning to let us know you plan on attending (regardless of if you've purchased a season's training pass) to guarantee that you get a freshly printed map. We will do our best to accommodate those who register later by sharing maps.

Note: Orienteering Ottawa membership is required for all participants. You can sign up to become a member here .