A week of World Orienteering Days kicks off in Scotland

A week of World Orienteering Day events kicked off on 15 May and in Edinburgh school children, pre-school children, a team from Active Scotland and even MSP Joe FitzPatrick, Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, got involved.

At a sun-drenched Holyrood Park, children of all ages enjoyed orienteering games such as “Musical O”, “Alphabet O”, “Naughty Numbers” and orienteering mazes, as well as completing a basic orienteering course in an open area. Combining being active with learning skills such as spatial awareness, setting maps and spelling, children were able to compete, learn and have some fun!

With schools enjoying the activity in the morning and afternoon, a team from Active Scotland came along at lunch to see how they could join in the fun, and MSP Joe FitzPatrick joined them. All learned how easy it is for schools and clubs to put on simple orienteering games, the skills children can learn, and the fun that can be had!

Joe FitzPatrick also talked to elite orienteer Peter Malloy, about how Scotland is building anticipation around the Sprint World Orienteering Championships, which visit Edinburgh in 2022 and are set to bring thousands of competitors to the city.

A full week of orienteering events will be taking place from 15 – 21 May; you can find an event near you at https://worldorienteeringday.com/