2. Brain training

• Problem solving: Orienteering requires participants to quickly assess their surroundings, make decisions on the best route, and adjust plans based on available information.
• Focus and concentration: Navigating with a map demands concentration and attention to detail, especially with the distraction of other competitors.
• Critical thinking: You need to constantly evaluate your position and adjust your strategy, weighing risk and reward, which sharpens decision-making skills.
• Spatial awareness: Constantly evaluating your position relative to landmarks and relating this to the map improves spatial awareness visualisation.

5. Improves mental health

• Boosts mood: Physical activity, exposure to nature, and the sense of accomplishment all contribute to better mental health.
• Stress reduction: Time spent outdoors, especially in green spaces, has been shown to lower stress levels and improve mental health.
• Promotes mindfulness: Orienteering encourages mindfulness, as participants must stay present and engaged with their surroundings.

6. Confidence in the outdoors

• Outdoor exposure: Orienteering takes place in natural environments, allowing you to connect with nature, away from the distractions of daily life.
• Appreciation of the environment: As you explore forests, mountains, and other natural landscapes, you develop a deeper appreciation for the outdoors and the importance of conservation.
• Low-cost: Orienteering can be done in a wide variety of outdoor spaces and doesn’t require expensive equipment or access to specialized locations or facilities.
• Adventure with safety: Unlike more extreme outdoor sports, orienteering provides an adventurous experience while maintaining a focus on safety and risk management.
• Future pursuits: Learning the skills and building the confidence to handle parks, farm, forest and even wilderness environments opens up opportunities to explore our wonderful country safely.
• Improves sense of orientation: Orienteering improves your natural sense of direction, helping you navigate unfamiliar places more effectively.
• Map reading skills: You’ll gain confidence in reading topographical maps and understanding geographic features, which is a valuable skill in many outdoor activities and other areas of life.

3. Social benefits

• Teamwork: Orienteering can be done in groups and rogaining is normally done in a team, fostering collaboration and communication skills.
• Community engagement: Many orienteering events are organized through clubs and local communities, providing opportunities to meet new people with similar interests.
• Family and group bonding: Orienteering is a great family activity that encourages cooperation and shared experiences.

4. Accessible for all ages and family friendly

• Age-appropriate: Orienteering can be done by individuals of all ages, from young children to seniors, making it an inclusive activity.
• Family friendly: Orienteering events are set up to allow time for parents to support children on their course and have enough time to complete their own course too.
• Adjustable difficulty: You have the option to choose your own difficulty, making orienteering accessible to a wide range of participants.

9. Teaches valuable life skills

• Adaptability: Orienteers must constantly adapt to changing terrain, weather, and conditions, which builds flexibility in thinking and action.
• Resilience: Being able to handle unexpected challenges or setbacks builds mental resilience and problem-solving abilities.
• Progress tracking: As you gain experience, you can track your progress and aim to improve your time, accuracy, or efficiency.

8. Encourages healthy competition

• Goal-oriented: Orienteering is often a competitive sport where participants challenge themselves to complete courses in the fastest time or with the most precision.
• Motivation: Competing against others (or yourself) provides motivation to improve, stay fit, and push your boundaries.
• Sportsmanship: Orienteering promotes fair play, respect for others, and the value of both individual and team achievements.

10. Memorable travel

• Off the beaten path: Orienteering events are often held in unique locations that few others experience.
• Landscapes and scenery: Many of the best places for orienteering are also beautiful locations.
• Use of private land: Orienteering events are often held on private land that you wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to explore.

11. Environmental stewardship

• Leave no trace: Orienteering often emphasizes respect for nature and responsible behaviour, encouraging participants to tread lightly and preserve the natural environment.
• Conservation awareness: Orienteers develop an awareness of environmental issues and the importance of protecting the places they explore.
• Emotional connection: Nature is the stadium for orienteering and an emotional connection to the land develops from this physical connection.