Month: August 2025

August Forum

The August forum will take place on Wednesday, August 27th at 8:30pm ET on Google Meet.

Join Elias “Eli” Jimenez, founder of VentR-out, for a live demo of a virtual reality orienteering simulation grounded in the fundamentals of the sport. Drawing on past experiences competing in and organizing adventure races, he sees VR’s potential for simulating outdoor experiences in a new way. This early-stage project highlights VR as a promising medium for orienteering training. Get a first-hand look at what’s possible, where it could go next, and how you could help shape its evolution.

Join on Google Meet on Wednesday, August 27th at 8:30pm ET.

US Ski-O Team seeking applications for 2026!

The USA Ski-O National team is seeking applicants for the senior team for the Ski-O World Championship (WSOC) in Japan,  March 1-6, 2026. 

The site and date for Junior Ski-O World Champs has not yet been announced for 2026. Following our team’s good results in 2025, we are excited to build a larger junior team, especially adding girls and women.

Junior competitors interested in joining the national team may apply to the standing team to be ready for more information as it becomes available.

Questions about the junior team can be directed to Junior team coach Carl Fey.

Applications for juniors and seniors must include: Race results (ski-O, foot-O, X-C skiing), Current training plan, a brief statement of interest about joining the team, and biographical info. (birth date, citizenship status, gender).

Applications should be sent to ESC chair Adrian Owens by email before Sept 30, 2025.

Map from the 2009 World Ski Orienteering Championships

YMP August Map of the Month

The Youth Mapping Program August Map of the Month is of Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD. This map is used in classes for Outdoor Education students and in classes for general Physical Education students. In the future, the university plans to share this map with local ROTC and scout groups.

According to Outdoor Education professor Chris McCart, this map is “user-friendly. It gives credibility to our program.”

Interested in having a map made of your school? Learn more about the program and apply here.