Children''s Categories at Kainuu Orienteering Week – Introduction to Open Recreational Orienteering Classes for Kids
Published: 21.03.2025
Which category should a child participate in during Kainuu Orienteering Week if they are not interested in competing or have little experience in orienteering? The open recreational orienteering classes provide an easy and accessible way for participants of all ages to enjoy the event.
In the open categories, participants can complete the course alone, in pairs, or in a group. Each participant can choose a suitable start time and one of ten course options, varying in length and difficulty. Suitable options for children include Rastiralli, Open RR (ribbon route), and C-courses.
Rastiralli – A Fun Adventure for the Youngest
Rastiralli is designed for the youngest participants, offering an adventurous, easy, and marked orienteering course. The route can be completed alone or together with a parent or guardian. Along the way, there are small tasks at each checkpoint that need to be completed before continuing to the next one. The short route starts near the event centre’s Muksula childcare area and runs through the surrounding terrain.
Open RR – A Safe Route with a Guiding Ribbon
The Open RR category follows the same ribbon-marked route as the competitive RR category for 8-year-olds. This category is suitable for participants of all ages who wish to complete the course alone or with a friend or a group. The course is a safe orienteering route, with a clearly visible ribbon guiding participants through the forest.
More skilled young orienteers can challenge themselves by using the map to take small shortcuts along the route. By deviating from the ribbon at certain points, they can complete small orienteering challenges and navigate more efficiently.
C-Courses – First Steps Towards Independent Orienteering
The open C-courses follow a direct orienteering style, meaning there is no guiding ribbon. Instead, participants navigate from one checkpoint to another using clear landmarks such as paths and other distinctive terrain features. The checkpoints are placed in easily recognizable locations, such as trail intersections or near boulders.
C-courses are suitable for participants of all ages who want to try orienteering without a guiding ribbon. The courses include clear navigation aids that make the experience feel safe and enjoyable. Participants can complete the course alone, in pairs, or in a small group.
C-Course Differences – Short or Long Route?
The accompanying image illustrates the differences between the C-short and C-long courses. C-short features shorter control intervals with more clear navigation points. The control segment starts near a boulder next to a trail. Beginners can follow the trail, using natural barriers like marshy vegetation to help guide them to the next checkpoint. Those seeking a challenge can attempt safe and short shortcuts through the forest, for example, from control four to the road and then onto the trail.
C-long, on the other hand, starts slightly deeper in the forest and offers multiple route choices. A child who feels confident can take a shortcut from the road directly to the checkpoint. However, these shortcuts are longer and have fewer clear navigation aids compared to the C-short course. The surrounding trails and roads ensure a safe experience even for beginners.
Join the Adventure at Kainuu Orienteering Week!
The 57th Kainuu Orienteering Week will take place in Sotkamo’s Vuokatti from June 29 to July 4, 2025, in world-class terrain near the Vuokatti-Jukola 2027 event area.
Welcome to an exciting week of orienteering for the whole family!
