Corn Maze Orienteering!

Corn Maze Orienteering comes to Missoula! Come be a part of the first-ever Corn Maze Orienteering event in Montana. We are partnering with the Missoula Fall Fest for the exclusive opportunity to try out orienteering in their intricately designed corn maze.

Date and Time

The event will take place Tuesday, October 13 between 530-730pm. We will have a couple of different course options, and a couple of different fun event formats for folks to try out. Come at 530 or soon after so you don't miss out on any of the fun.

Location

Everything will take place at the Fall Fest location at Grass Valley farms. Here are the directions: Starting from the corner of Reserve and Mullan, turn west onto Mullan and drive until you reach Dechamps Lane and there take a right. Then turn right at the big rooster. Some navigation may take you through the Ranch Club neighborhood, but this is incorrect - stay on Mullan until you reach Dechamps. See you there!

Courses We will have a couple of course options available for each of the events we will offer. Details are still being worked out, but we guarantee you that this will be fun - and harder than you think!

The One Rule: NO CUTTING THROUGH THE CORN!

Beginner Instruction Beginner instruction will be provided by several experienced orienteers. If this is your first event, take a look at the "Newcomers" section of our website to get an idea of what to expect: https://www.grizzlyorienteering.org/newcomers .

Entry Fees

We are getting a special deal from our friends at Fall Fest: entry is $5 a person!

Equipment  We will provide specially created maps of the maze with pre-printed courses for each participant. Wear clothing that is comfortable for activities outdoors and appropriate for the expected temperatures. Please bring your own snacks and hydration, though limited snacks and water will be made available at the finish.

Start and Finish You will need to check in with one of our volunteers at registration  before proceeding to the start. Our volunteers will provide you with the  appropriate map, a loaner compass if needed, and a loaner electronic  timing chip and will keep track of  who is out and doing which course. When you have found all the controls  on your course, return to the finish and check in with a volunteer  there. Even if you decide to quit your course before finding all the  controls, please check in at the finish so we do not go out searching for you. Everyone must be back from the maze by 730pm.

Electronic "punching"

An e-punch records your race. At each control, you’ll dip the e-punch  into an electronic box, which will beep and flash as confirmation.  After you finish, you’ll download the e-punch at the download tent and  get a receipt that shows which controls you visited and how long you took  between each; these are your “splits.”

Part of the fun of orienteering is comparing your splits with people  who completed the same course, and discussing the routes you took!