University of Montana - Halloween Night-O

Join us for a special Halloween-themed orienteering event on the University of Montana campus in Missoula! 

First-timers: $5, First-time groups: $10 (If first-timers wish to purchase memberships after the event, the cost of the event will be subtracted from the membership fee)

Standard event entry fee: $15 per individual; maximum of $30 for group

GrizO Member event entry fee: $8 for members; maximum of $15 for member group

Junior entry fee: $5 for youth aged 12-20

Kid entry fee: Free for kids under 12

Volunteer discount: Free for anyone who volunteers at a given event

Extra map for any additional group member who wants one: $2

Compass rental: Free

Grizzly Orienteering is offering annual memberships for individuals and families. A membership gives discounts on event entries, priority registration for certain events, and access to skills clinics throughout the year. The cost for an individual membership is $35, and for a family $70. 

Date and Time

The event will take place Saturday October 25th between 7:00pm-9:00pm. You can start any time between 7-8pm.

Location

The event will be staged on the University of Montana campus in Missoula. The assembly will be on the east side of the main oval, here. Parking is available in this parking lot, just off Campus Drive.

Equipment  We will provide specially created maps with pre-printed courses for each participant. We will also provide loaner compasses. Please return these when you are done. Wear clothing that is comfortable for activities in the woods and  off-trail and appropriate for the expected temperatures. Snacks and candy will be provided at the finish and along the course! Please bring your own headlamps or flashlights!

Courses This event will feature a choose-your-own-adventure format. Once you start, you will have 60 minutes to find as many checkpoints as you can, in whatever order you like. The checkpoints will be spread out all over the map and will have reflective flags for ease of finding at night. Some will also have Halloween decorations, surprises, and tasty treats! 

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 .

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.

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!