The “First Annual Orienteering Festival” at the Florida Agricultural Museum, and the Inaugural event on our latest 5-color IOF map is now history.
We had no idea what to expect or how many to expect. But for a hot August Saturday in Florida the turnout was all we could hope for.
The results below count 117 people on 51 different entries, and as course-designer I’m terrifically pleased that only one entry did not finish – sort of a landmark as these things go.

We want to take note of a few special participants for helping to make this event a success. All 21 members of Troop 720 did well and seemed to enjoy themselves. Duane Adams, late of the Houston Orienteering Club, turned out with his new cadets and cleaned up on all the Yellow course awards. Mike Farley, a JROTC unit leader, drove all the way from Punta Gorda, 4 ½ hours, 270 miles, just to learn enough to teach his cadets and get them ready to begin participating. All of the participants who were caught in the shortly-after-1-pm deluge came in with smiling faces, much to our pleasant surprise. There were three parties who especially suffered because, in my haste to close out the event, I inadvertently removed control #49 (final yellow course control) prematurely, leaving them to wander about doubting themselves for quite awhile over that missing control. Please accept my heartfelt apology.

Huge Thank You’s go to all the helpers who showed up to make this “First Annual” event a success: Amy, Missy Kaler and Artur Intson for setting out all controls, My wife Janet who risked (got?) heat stroke after 5 hours of registration, etc., via 105 degree heat index, Kris Mante who did Just-about-everything all day, and Ray Bruneau who also did Just-about-everything. Special Thanks to Denise-the-Park-Volunteer and Nancy-the-Park-Hostess, who did a magnificent job on Start/Finish. A huge ‘Thank You’ as well goes to Lorena Kleinmann who forwarded, from LKOrienteering, a packet of door prizes, most of which were handed out in random fashion – the rest will be distributed at National Orienteering Day to be held at Rock Springs next month. Finally, “Thanks”, from FLO and all participants, go to Bruce Piatek, the Executive Director of the Florida Agricultural Museum, without whose enthusiastic support the map could not have been made and this event could not have happened.

RESULTS
More info: FAM Event Report August 14 2010

Lorena,

"You did it again!! You put together another amazing first class orienteering event for all of us to enjoy. I had a great time, and based on the excitement and smiles I saw on the faces of others, I was not alone. We need your organizational and leadership skills here in Central Florida where we have the Florida Orienteering Club!!! However, since that is not going to happen, we'll stay content with having you as close as Miami. Thanks for giving our sport of Orienteering a great start in South Florida."

Jerry Sirmans, President, Florida Orienteering (http://www.floridaorienteering.org/)

"Lorena Kleinmann and those who helped her did a great job bringing orienteering back to South Florida. There were courses at a broad range of difficulties and the event was well-organized. I'll be back for your next event!"

Will Murphy
Adventure Racer and President of Synergy Outdoor Adventure Resources (SOAR)

Thank you to Lorena and Levy for their great guidance for the Orienteering Merit Badge Clinic. The clinic was held in conjunction with the event. Each of the Scouts had a great time and learned a lot about the sport!


Sincerely in Scouting service,

Jeffrey S. Berger
Director of Field Service
South Florida Council #84, Inc.