Orienteering Courses
Beginner Course
The Beginner Orienteering Course follows the Wilderness Trail fairly close. There are 12 points. Numbers are attached to trees in the woods, marking each point. Use a compass and coordinate sheet to guide you through. Make sure you keep your paths straight. Click here to view the coordinates list.
Advanced Course
The Advanced Orienteering Course covers the forest west of Lakeshore's Wilderness Camp. There are 10 points to be found, and participants must use the map, compass, and visual landmarks to find each one. Every point has a unique hole-punch there to collect, and each point is named after a former Summer Staff Wilderness Director. Participants get an adventure in the outdoors, a chance to see some of the most scenic parts of Lakeshore, and a history lesson of the Wilderness Camp Program.
Advanced Orienteering Course Description
We hope you find a little adventure today. You will follow the creek almost to its source. This course has 10 points that are mapped out. At each place, there is a post with a hole-punch. Each point has a different hole-punch, so when you finish, you should have 10 different punches on your sheet. Stay safe on the course. Remember there are no roads leading back here, so getting a vehicle to help you may be difficult. Here are some helpful safety tips:
• Carry a whistle with you, so you can signal people if you get lost.
• Carry a cell phone. There isn’t a signal in the valleys, but on the ridges there are generally good signals. So, you if you can get on top of a hill, you should be fine.
• If you get lost, find the creek. Follow it in a southerly direction, and you will eventually get back to the Wilderness Trail
Here are descriptions of each point and their namesakes:
Dyer's Landing: Named for Russell Dyer, Director 1995, the course begins with our first Summer Staff Wilderness Director. Set out from the bottom of the Wilderness Hill at the grove of Cedar Trees.
Taylor Tall Beech Grove: Named for Troy Taylor, Director 1998-2000, there are many large Beech Trees (they have smooth light gray bark) standing tall. Take some time to really check out how large these trees are. They are likely over 100 years old.
Al-Chokhachi's Balcony: Named for Zach Al-Chokhachi, Director 2003, towards the bottom the steep slope flattens out for a moment, like a balcony in a theater. Look down over the valley from your perch. You may be able to spy on other orienteers, without being noticed.
Heit's Edge: Named for Scott Heit, Director 2001-2002, this ridge fingers out and suddenly drops off. You have a great view to the river, especially if the leaves have fallen. There are blueberry bushes all around this point, so if they are ripe, help yourself.
Eubanks Bank: Named for Philip Eubanks, Director 2006, this embankment rises up about 5 feet above the valley and flattens out like a table just above the creek and floodplain. There are signs of old cornrows in the ground here that are still visible from when these woods were farmland.
Brock Grassy Knoll: Named for Nathan Brock, Director 2004, just before a steep drop-off mid-way downhill, you'll find thick grass covering this little spot. It's a nice shady spot, to sit and take a rest.
Jones Glen: Named for Alyssa Jones, Director 2010-2011, this is a hidden area that may be tough to find if you aren't looking close. A separate branch that feeds into the creek breaks off and sneaks into this little spot between two hills. Feel free to keep following this branch if you are interested.
Danielle's Pool of Light: Named for Danielle Miller, Director 2007-2008, the shade of the woods disappears and you step into a grassy area letting much more light in. Explore this area. The creek has some very cool spots near-by, with high walls. Splash some water in your face and get your feet wet.
Torrence/Akin Curly Tree Skylight: Named for Chris Torrence and Molly Akin, co-Directors 1997, on this hillside, the tree canopy opens up to let a little more sunshine in. Some of the shorter trees around this opening in the canopy, curl around.
Dickerson Rooftop: Named for Jennie Dickerson, Director 2009, this point is located at the tip-top of a tall hill, that gives you an almost 360 degree view of the forest all around. Take some time to catch your breath and enjoy the view.
Pulliam Squeeze: Named for Adam Pulliam, Director 2005, keep following the creek around the corner of the ridge. You’ll round a hill, and find the point in a tight squeeze between two hills. There are 2 or 3 large tires nearby. Just beyond the post, is the trail-head of Blackberry Pass, which will lead you to Carter's Rest and a fantastic view.
Carter's Rest: Named for Mandy Carter, Director 1996, this is a flat hill-top that has one of the most beautiful views in all of Lakeshore. Look out over the valley, eat some blackberries if they're in season, and enjoy what your eyes are taking in.
