Tyler Arboretum-Thanks
-
Topic created by johncampbell on Sun Nov 20, 2016 at 4:51 pmClem, Dasha and team: Thanks for an excellent meet. While chilly once in the woods the wind wasn't an issue and really nice course. It was good to be back orienteering in this park as you have to focus on different orienteering techniques in different parts of the park and it is a nice area. Great job.
-
Reply by j-man on Sun Nov 20, 2016 at 10:13 pmWe'd like to thank everyone for coming to Tyler Arboretum on a cool and blustery day. Luckily, we had use of the covered patio and the barn, which made the event so much more pleaant.So many people contributed to this event, and I apologize if I've managed to not list everybody who helped. Many times, running around, you tend to miss things happening, and forget most of what you saw.In any case, two people deserve special commendation:Sandy Fillebrown who did everything prior to the meet regarding maps: reconfiguring the map file, preparing proofs for the printer, getting them printed, acquiring suitable map cases, sealing all the maps, arranging all the maps, printing the control descriptions, cutting all the control desciptions... it just goes on and on. Amazing!Roger Hartley: A tour de force "assistant" event director, who really did everything before and after the event. The first to arrive, the last to leave. Out the day before streamering. Working start, in multiple places at once, ferrying people about, organizing equipment, keeping things together, turning off the lights and taking the equipment after it was all done. He is a force of nature.Needless to say, so many other people helped in ways big and small. This is just a sampling:Map ProductionSandy FillebrownVettingKarl AhlswedeControl HangingVadim MasalkovTom OverbaughRegistrationMary FrankDasha BabushokDave MorganePunchSandy FillebrownVadim Masalkov (including programming all the units)General Quartermaster DutiesRon BortzStartsKarl AhlswedeJim EagletonHugh MacMullanRoger HartleyControl PickupBob BurgPetr HartmanKim McCaneRon WoodAlso, special thanks to our Tyler Arboretum Liaisons Tanya King and Mike Karkowski (and others) who provided great support before and during the event (Tanya staying to the very end, closing things down after dark.)Thanks everyone!
-
Reply by bobburg on Mon Nov 21, 2016 at 1:15 amI can only speak for the Brown course, but it was definitely a tour de force, using delightful white woods much of the time, with November's shades of green so much more open than it would have been in September, not "hiding" control flags, yet still with lots of challenge.Despite the winds -- first half at my back (so comfy), then second half in my face
-- it was great terrain to navigate and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Thank you Clem and Dasha for taking this on (as well as Roger and Sandy and so many more). The Tyler map needs to be used annually. The Arboretum staff really welcomes our partnership, the woods and the options for course setting are too good to be missed -- it could easily be used in the Spring before the green goes greener (hint hint).Thank you both so much. And it was delightful to see the little tyke "in person" for the first time.And forgive me for a shameless promo -- come join us at Rutgers Dec 4th. Lots more revised map to reveal, which we'll be using to the hilt....only 3 weeks to the day before Christmas. Fa-la-la-la-lah........ -
Reply by bobburg on Mon Nov 21, 2016 at 2:14 amOh! And when I went to Results, it made me want to give a special shout out to the Colts Neck JROTC unit. Check out their results today. Great day you guys!!! Colts Neck used to figure out which 10 cadets were worthy of going to nationals, now they wonder how they can possibly pare down to their 10 best.I have been working with them for the past 5-6 years. Yes, I train them once a year, but their veteran cadets lead their unit from beginner training through national competitions the rest of the year. They have risen from obscurity to one of the top 6 or 7 orienteering JROTC units in the country. They are our most faithful teen participants at DVOA events and arrived today from New Jersey with 42 cadets on a slick white modern bus.This is the future of orienteering.The next time you see them at an event (they will be dressed alike in team shirts), please go up to both their leaders and the cadets and welcome them warmly, get to know them, and wish them success. Our NJ Scout/JROTC Championship attendance has doubled in the past 3 years on the turnout of JROTC units. These are high school students who are committed to physical fitness, team unity, improving their orienteering prowess, and succeeding at competition. What's not to love?Colts Neck cadets are our champions.They've continually attended our events to learn and practice orienteering, then gone to Nationals and exceeded expectations. And we've hosted 10 more units just like them the past 3 years at our annual October event, coming from Buffalo and Albany and all over the PA/NJ area. Colts Neck just happens to be the best. And there are more of them from other schools that we welcome with open arms.Follow Colts Neck at the regional JROTC Maryland event on Dec 3rd.Then meet and congratulate them at Rutgers on Dec 4th.
