SPRING-O 2023
Sid Richardson Scout Ranch
March 24 (6PM) - 26 (2PM)
Spring-O Community Invitational March 24-26, 2023 @ SR2 Hosted by Longhorn Council & North Texas Orienteering Association.
Our spring Orienteering event for individual and team cross-country competitors and for Recreational Teams. Competitors run one course Saturday with team night orienteering Saturday evening. Competition awards are based on best times for each class. The meet is co-sponsored by the North Texas Orienteering Association (NTOA).
Choose your fun from 6 beginner to expert Orienteering courses! Awards are given to the top three finishers in each category. Individual Competitors compete by age and gender. Scouts compete in 2 person Teams. Anyone can hike the course and work on their orienteering in 2-5 Recreational Teams. You will be able to select your course on the NTOA website http://ntoa.com/events-2/
All Competition Courses are pre-drawn. Course choices are White, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Green, and Red. Courses must be selected at time of registration.
Electronic punching on all courses. Electronic punching will be used on ALL courses. If you own an E-punch enter the number when you register for your course. If you don’t own an E-punch they are available to rent from NTOA for $3. One punch is required for each individual or team.
BSA Orienteering Merit Badge
NTOA is happy to support Boy Scouts pursuing their orienteering merit badge. A dedicated merit badge briefing will take place at NTOA events. For 2-day meets, the briefing will be on Day 1 only. Scouts should check the schedule for each event for exact timing.
Troops must provide their own 2-deep leadership or parents should accompany Scouts to the meets. NTOA will provide instruction and courses to complete the merit badge requirements. The merit badge requires participation in 3 orienteering courses and working as an official at one meet. Generally, Scouts can complete one course per meet day.
Note to Scoutmasters: The courses will satisfy the 1st Class orienteering requirement if you add the measuring of the height and width of objects (flag pole, tree, creek, etc.). That instruction is not provided.
Scouts should arrive at least 30 minutes before the first beginner’s clinic for the merit badge briefing. Scouts should wear clothes suitable for bushwhacking through the forest. Running shoes or boots are OK. Long pants or jeans, gaiters, or tall socks would be good. Bring suitable outdoor gear for the weather conditions (jacket, poncho or rain suit, gloves, hat, etc.). Orienteering meets are held even if raining. Also compass, watch, canteen or water bottle, and whistle (loaners available). Many bring a sack lunch for after they run, as food is not provided.
If you have any questions, contact merit badge counselor, Ralph Courtney or phone 903-814-0232.
Learn about merit badge requirements