Discover orienteering has continued to be a very popular outdoor learning event with around 750 pupils developing their knowledge and skills. These sessions took place at various parks across Midlothian during November 2015 and March 2016.  Pupils in Primary 5 and 6 participated from 12 different schools.

During the sessions the pupils and staff learned transferable orienteering skills such as setting the map, feature identification, scale and route planning.  The learners all used Midlothian Outdoor Learning Services sportident computerised system to complete 6 different orienteering courses.   This helped to increase their IT knowledge and allow the application of new learning through the use of technologies.

The results of the discover orienteering series and information on future events are now available HERE.

There are a few things Learners and school staff could do to develop your skills further –

(1) Access the free resource called “tri-O” published by British Orienteering which anyone can use to develop orienteering skills.

( 2) In addition to this our Outdoor Learning team regularly go into schools to support the curriculum through orienteering, so if you wish to benefit from this curriculum support and you work in a school please get in touch

(3) Join a local club such as Edinburgh Southern orienteering club (ESOC).

(4) Take part in the Mid/East orienteering festival on the 4th of May 2016 at Vogrie Country park. Book via your school.

(5) Enter the Scottish Schools event on Friday June 3rd 2016, at Dalkeith Country Park.

(6) Staff can go on a course to get qualified as a teacher of orienteering.

We would like to thank all the pupils for taking part in an enthusiastic and energetic way. Many thanks equally to the school staff and parent volunteers for helping to make our events such a great success. Finally a special thank you to the members of ESOC who gave up their time to share their expertise. All much appreciated by the teachers in outdoor learning team.