MetroWest YMCO Outdoor Center, Hopkinton, MA
March 30-April 7, 2024
Event Director: Channon Ames

What a great week at the MetroWest YMCA Outdoor Center in Hopkinton, MA. This newer orienteering map with lots of trails and fun features throughout the property was the perfect setting for our Introduction to Orienteering clinic and a great spot to get in some good runs on sprint courses at our BYOM. It was a chilly, rainy week, but we had a good number of people come out and try the courses.

I was especially excited to take advantage of the varied control features to use a symbol that I don’t often see.

For those that didn’t readily recall what this symbol was, it is a canopy, or covered passageway through a building.

A special thank you to Tyler Reynolds and the MetroWest YMCA for partnering with NEOC and allowing us to use their wonderful facility. The pavilion, large soccer field and ample parking on site made it easy to manage our Intro to Orienteering event at the Outdoor Center.

As with all of our NEOC events, this event wouldn’t be possible without our volunteer instructors, control hangers, parking helpers, and supporters that included Karen, Mark, Jon, Peter, Tori, Jim, Andy, Xevi, Terry, Alex, Ellie, and Wendy who helped to introduce almost 80 new kids and adults to the sport of orienteering. I look forward to seeing our new friends at future events.

If you haven’t volunteered for an event yet I highly recommend reaching out. Our upcoming events rely on volunteers in order to run.  Volunteering is easy, fun and appreciated by the people running the event. Volunteer shifts are only about 1 hour and allow you to still participate in courses at that event. If you’re not a member, you get to do your course for free on the day you volunteer. If you are a member, you’ll get a ”bring a friend for free” card to share the love of orienteering. If you’re planning on going to an event, reach out to the meet director for ways you can help.