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If you were unable to make the live event at FL Agricultural Museum, the courses from that event have now been posted on the FLO web site as self-serve ROYO (Run On Your Own) courses for use with the MapRun6 app on your smartphone.

Instructions:

You will need a smartphone with the MapRun app installed. Be careful when you go to install the app on your phone, because there are multiple versions of this app available for different purposes. You want MapRun6, with a numeral "6" in the bottom right corner of the logo:

You can find it on iTunes or the Google Play store.

As you're installing the app, it will ask you for permission to use location services (i.e., the phone's GPS location). This is obviously essential for its function so you must grant it. It's important that you allow access "all the time" rather than just "only when using the app", otherwise it may lose your GPS fix when the screen goes to sleep during your run.

When you get the app installed, open it and tap the "Name" button on the home screen and fill in your information. This will be used for results posting on any courses you run with the app.

To use the app to run a course, open it and tap the "Select Event" button, then drill down through

USA
Florida
Central Florida
FL Agricultural Museum

and you'll see the list of the 7 available courses there.

Once you've picked the course you want, you will be returned to the home screen with that event showing as the selected event. You can do all of this before you go to the venue, and probably should since connecting to a course and getting the map for it on your phone requires internet connectivity, which may be spotty at certain venues with certain carriers.

You can also get to the course you want on site at the venue using the "Events Near Me" button, which should get you to the same list of available courses once you are physically close enough to them. This feature requires internet connectivity onsite, however.

When you are on site and ready to do your course, tap the "Go to Start" button.

You will then see a picture of the map on your phone screen with a red dot showing your live GPS position on it. This is simply an aid to help you find the start position, which as usual shows as a red triangle on the map.

When you get within a few meters of the Start, the app will beep to let you know you're there, and at that point your official clock is running, and the live position indicator on the phone will disappear. Stow the phone in a runner's armband and forget it as you do your course using the paper map and compass for navigation as usual. At each control position, the phone will issue a loud beep to indicate a successful punch, and you're off to the next one. If you pull out your phone and look at it, you'll see the control circles changing from red to green with each successful punch. When you have finished the course, move to the Finish position - the double circle on the map. When you get there, the app will beep one last time, stop your official clock, and then display your results, along with a GPS log track of your run:

Tapping the "burger stack" menu icon at the top right will pull up a menu that allows you to see the "details" (i.e., splits times) of your course:

You can also tap "All Results" to see how you did compared to others who have done this course before you.

Control positions in the field are marked with biodegradable orange ribbon, which will deteriorate naturally over time. For a period of a few weeks or months you can use these ribbons as visual confirmation that you have arrived at your control position, but after they have gone it will be position-based ROYO only. The beep from your phone indicating arrival at a control will then be your cue that you are in the right location, and this takes the place of seeing the physical ribbon or other marker. If you have only ever done live events which have flags, this will make these courses a little more of a challenge, as you won't have the relatively large beacon of a flag to guide you into the exact control position. Use the clues marked on your map and move to the feature (e.g., trail junction, distinct tree, depression, etc.) listed for each control point - that is where you should get your punch.

Remember that your phone's position depends on the readings from its GPS chip. You want your phone to have a decent view of the sky for it to get an accurate positional fix from the satellites. That's why we recommend using a runner's armband to hold the phone - it keeps it high and away from your body core, which can block the GPS signals. I have successfully used MapRun6 with my phone (Samsung Galaxy S9+) in my pocket, but a pocket or backpack isn't ideal. If you are sure you're in the right location and your phone doesn't punch the control, take it out of your pocket or backpack and hold it out for a few seconds to see if it will get a better GPS fix.

Also, the MapRun punching system has a 15 meter tolerance built into it to allow for random errors in GPS fix caused by weather, canopy cover, variations in chip technology, etc. In theory this means that the target you have to get into to get a punch is a circle 30 meters across centered on the control position. This is a pretty big target, and this helps balance out the difficulty of finding the right position without the visual aid of the flag we usually have at live events.

Venue Notes

Staging is at the parking area just south of the Clark Homestead Cabin. Use the What3Words address above for turn-by-turn directions.

The F.A.M. offers to orienteers a reduced day use admission fee of $2 per person, payable at the FLO Registration Table . In addition, there will be the usual FLO registration fee of $7 per Map for FLO members, $9 per Map for non-members and, still, a reduced rate of $6 per Map for Groups such as JROTC and Scouts whose leaders register all their groups and individuals at once (this group rate minimizes the crowd and the confusion at the registration table and is well worth the discount to FLO registration volunteers!).

DO NOT FORGET TO BRING WATER. Each competitor is expected to carry their own water or to be sufficiently hydrated before competing. And let’s not kid ourselves about this hydrating thing - it's important. Winter is behind us and the heat is back on. Orienteering is thirsty work, and dehydration can sneak up on you. You should always plan as though you may be spending lots more time out there than you thought. Cary water and stay hydrated. There will be no water on the courses.

BIG NOTE #1:
We will be printing on your map several Out-Of-Bounds areas in purple ink – they are Horse corrals and Park Maintenance. Please be very careful about not infringing on these areas. If you encounter horses and riders on trails, please yield, ALWAYS, and be sure never to run by horses – they may spook easily. This is vital if we are to continue being welcomed.

BIG NOTE #2:
Ticks are common at this venue this time of year. Be sure to spray generously with bug spray all over your shoes, socks, and legs to ward them off. Pre-treating your shoes, socks, gaiters, and other clothing with DEET or permethrin is a nearly-foolproof tick defense. Regardless of precautions, always do a thorough tick check once you are out of the woods.

SUMMARY OF COURSES

White - suitable for absolute beginners. Course is on trails and/or fields and is 1.6 km long.
Yellow - for slightly more advanced beginners. Course is mostly on trails and fields with control points a short distance into the woods. There may be opportunities for those who feel able to take short cuts through the woods. Length is 2.2 km.
Orange - intermediate difficulty. Mix of on- trail and off-trail, generally relying on the more obvious mapped features. Length 3.7 km.
Green Male - an advanced course off trail and reliant on the subtler features of the terrain. Length 5.6 km.
Green Female - an advanced course off trail and reliant on the subtler features of the terrain. Length 4.8 km.
Red - a longer advanced course. Length 5.6 km.
Blue - the longest advanced course, not always offered in smaller parks. Length 6.7 km.

Note that the course lengths mentioned above are measured straight-line from point to point to point. Your actual route on the ground will often be on more winding trails or diverted around obstacles like ponds or dense tickets, so your actual distance traveled will often be 25-50% longer than the stated course length.

If you are new and/or unsure of which course is right for you, ask us at registration and we will be happy to advise you. Precise course lengths will be on display at registration to give you an idea of how far you'll be travelling to complete a course. When in doubt, choose an easier course. If you complete that one too fast and haven't had enough fun yet, you can trade up to the next harder map and go out again!

As usual, there is a 3 hour time limit on all FLO courses, and all courses close at 3:00 pm (1500 hours). JROTC time limits will be 3 hours on all courses.

Safety Bearing: For all advanced courses that go into the Pellicer Creek Corridor east of I-95, the safety bearing is DUE WEST TO I-95. We trust you will all find your way ‘home’ from there. For the White, Yellow and Orange Courses, lying completely within the F.A.M. property, simply find your way to any visible building to re-orient yourself.

Typical FLO registration fees are in effect: $7 per Map for FLO members, $9 per Map for non-members and $6 per Map for Groups such as JROTC and Scouts whose leaders register, and pay for, all their groups at once (this group rate minimizes the crowd and the confusion at the registration table and is well worth the discount to FLO registration volunteers!). In addition, registration will collect the park's $2/person day use fee.

The Map

The FAM map is quite varied, and has changed a good bit since the last time we were here. Considerable pains have been taken to update the map with all of these changes. A new drainage project has been completed in the main part of the park west of I-95 which should help keep some of the traditionally wet trail junctions a bit drier than they sometimes have been in the past. Some areas have been cleared and will have varying amounts of scrub vegetation depending on how long they have had to regrow. Other areas are untouched and contain natural Florida habitats from scrub to pine flatwoods to wet hardwood hammocks. In the scrub areas, shin-high green briar thorns and prickly pear cactus are not uncommon, so wear foot/leg protection, particularly on the longer & harder courses which will have you spending more time off-trail.

Printing your map(s):

By printing the map for any of these courses you are agreeing to the following Waiver of Liability:

As a condition for participating in this orienteering event, you hereby release Florida Orienteering (also known as FLO), Suncoast Orienteering (SOAR) and all of their officers and members and others who have planned or participated in this event from liability for any personal injury or property damage that may occur to you or any member of your group as a result of your participation at this event whether caused by negligence or otherwise, and you hereby indemnify Florida Orienteering (FLO), Suncoast Orienteering (SOAR) their officers and any organizations or authorities sponsoring the event from any liability for injury or damage or expense caused by yourself or other members of your group.

To display the map of your chosen course, click on the appropriate link in the list of courses below, then use your browser to download or print it. If your print menu offers the choice, make sure the "Actual Size" option is selected.

Donation:

A suggested donation of $7 for FLO members, or $9 for non members, may be made through Zelle. In order to use Zelle you will need to register for Zelle through your bank's website. Alternatively go to www.zellepay.com/get-started for guided instructions.
Once you have registered for Zelle, through your bank, you can send a donation to rayboyd@floridaorienteering.org and then select the 'Florida Orienteering' account.