The Woodridge meet (Kansa O' Champs 1999) is no in the history books. Does anyone have any event report?

I have created a series of questions about routes to all of the controls on the long course (note that the medium course had a lot of legs in common). Each question includes a segment of the map. If you ran either course, take a look at the questions and write your comments. If you didn't run, take a look and let us know what you think looks like a good route.

-- Michael Eglinski (meglin@juno.com), December 04, 1999

Answers

Not much a a report, but my Girl Scouts LOVED their first Orienteering event, even with the cold, wet and mud! They thought the short course was very easy, but they enjoyed discussing the couple of areas where you could approach a leg in different ways -- which path between 3 and 4 and whether to go in the field from 4 to 5.

We were looking forward to going over for the regular meet held after the Possum Trot today, but opted to let the girls play in the snow at the YMCA camp where we stayed last night. They voted and I lost!

They all want to go O'ing again, so I hope to see everyone again. If not, at least my kids and I will probably make it down sometime.

Robin

-- Robin Graham (Robgra@aol.com), December 05, 1999.

I have confirmation that we were indeed at the famous Taco Bell. The reason for the employees rudeness I have found out is they were told that if they talk to the public about the incident, they will be fired.

-- Dan (daniel.meenehan@umb.com), December 06, 1999.

Not much a a report, but my Girl Scouts LOVED their first Orienteering event, even with the cold, wet and mud! They thought the short course was very easy, but they enjoyed discussing the couple of areas where you could approach a leg in different ways -- which path between 3 and 4 and whether to go in the field from 4 to 5.

I thought the beginner course that Raymond set was excellent. It thought it was just the right level of difficulty. The course was easy enough that beginners would be successful on their first try. It also had lots of controls -- so everyone had the chance to find a lot of controls.

For the beginners' course we used a map at a scale of 1:7,500 rather than the 1:10,000 that all the other courses used. This made the map a bit easier to read.

-- Michael (mike_eglinski@kcmo.org), December 06, 1999.

I would like to report in general... The meet was great! Virus Scan paid off. I would like to acknowledge Spike for his work on the map, Raymond for the courses. It was a lot of fun, and somehow a very pleasant surprise to run in those woods. How much faster and less painful than I anticipated. I wore gaitors, but could have done without them quite easily. The myth of Homeland woods has just been exploded!

It is great that Fritz can take solace in his real champs [sic], but his greatest contribution to the weekend was foiling Vader's sabotage attempt. I think he somehow went underappreciated all weekend, and contended in the Trot too, especially early on. The chicken hat is a classic!

It was good to see a RMOC presence, and people from places like Illinois, Nebraska, St. Louis, and elsewhere I think. We don't get the Swampfox in the Homeland very often. Could this have been his "farewell" tour?

Seeing all the OKers there was great. I don't think I had seen Mark or Grace for several years.

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), December 07, 1999.

I know for a fact that "the" Taco Bell was the one on 23rd Street. If OKers and Swampfox went to the one on 6th Street, then they were in the wrong place. It is unfortunate but true.

All the more reason for Swampfox to return to the Homeland and set things straight next year!

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), December 07, 1999.

The Woodridge meet was also noteable because it saw the debut of the OK club tent! Since the Woodridge area does not have a shelter and it was raining through most of the day, the tent proved itself to be very useful.

-- Michael (mike_eglinski@kcmo.org), December 08, 1999.

>>For the beginners' course we used a map at a scale of 1:7,500 rather than the 1:10,000 that all the other courses used. This made the map a bit easier to read.<<

I noticed the scale, but assumed that that was how the map of the area was done. It did make it very easy for the girls to find their way; and the terrain was varied enough over the beginner course that they were able to recognize which color goes with what kind of land.

You're right about the positive effect of a successful first outing. They can't wait to go again. We're going to see if we can push the senior troop who is supposed to be working on the course at our local girl scout camp so we can do that one when it's done.

Thanks again, guys, for your hospitality and help.

-- Robin Graham (Robgra@aol.com), December 10, 1999.