500 000 participants – 5000 locations – 100 countries
The IOF’s goals regarding the organisation of this annual event are as follows:
- Increasing the visibility and accessibility of orienteering to young people
- Increasing the number of participants both in the schools’ activities as well and in the clubs’ activities in all countries of National Federations, and to get more new countries to take part in orienteering
- Helping teachers to implement orienteering in a fun and educational way by providing schools with materials such as maps, orienteering exercises and equipment
Some bullet points to consider for WOD 2017 and beyond:
- WOD is important regarding IOF’s vision
- Some countries are outstanding! Why?
- The approach from each National Federations is important to promote WOD
- The passion from individuals is crucial
- The IOF may create a strategy how to improve and develop orienteering in different part of the world
The World Orienteering Day offers a great possibility to promote our lovely sport! Therefore:
On Wednesday May 24th 2017, we would like to see people of all ages taking part in some sort of Orienteering event.
Clubs from all over the world can make a fantastic contribution that benefits both education at school and development of the sport.
The IOF currently has 70 member federations. The World Orienteering Day has a great potential to be spread all over the world. The concept is now developed, we have the inspiration and we have enthusiasm.
Visionary course of action
Each club of all national Orienteering Federations gets in touch with at least one school. In this way, we create direct contact with the largest target group for recruitment to our sport.
By the end of spring of 2017, clubs worldwide have produced at least 4000 sprint maps (new maps and updated maps) in the areas of school playgrounds and nearby areas around their country.
As teachers might need help to implement orienteering so that the lessons are a fun and exciting experience, the IOF is working on providing teaching materials in different languages.
The Regional Development and Youth Commission (RYDC) of the IOF coordinates and links interested Orienteering people from its national federations together in a school orienteering network in order to exchange materials and experiences.
After the event, the students get to keep their maps to take home and show to their friends and family. On the back of the map they will find information about local Orienteering activities especially for young people.
The clubs register online on the IOF’s World Orienteering Day website