Orienteering Cincinnati
Permanent Course Directory
posted 26 December 2003, last update 25 August 2007.

    Orienteering on permanent courses is done at your own risk.  Neither OCIN nor the property owners and managers, course designers and maintainers, assume any liability for any loss, damage, injury or death which may occur.  We make the following safety suggestions:
    1.    Know your physical limitations.
    2.    Dress for current and changing weather conditions.
    3.    Carry any needed medications (especially Epi-kits for those with allergies).
    4.    Carry a whistle (emergency signal is 3 blasts, repeat).
            (Courses generally are NOT monitored.  Do not assume you will be heard.)
    5.    Wear orange during hunting seasons.  Do not do courses during deer gun season.
    6.    Do the course with a partner.
    7.    Inform a responsible adult where you will be and when you expect to return.
    8.    If you drive to the site, park in designated areas and secure valuables out of sight.

    Public courses are in public parks which are generally open to anybody, at least during daylight hours.  If the park has an admission fee, that is noted.
    Private courses are in scout camps or other private property, and arrangements for use must be made through the property owner or manager.
    A sequential course is designed to be completed in numerical order, eg marker 1, 2, 3, etc.  They usually have beginner or intermediate points as noted.
    A score course is designed to be done in any order.  You can select which points you want to visit, based on your skill level and the time available.  You can create different combinations for different types of training.

Ordering Maps

Maps of "Active Permanent Courses" may be ordered by sending appropriate payment to:
                        Orienteering Cincinnati Maps
                        6797 Stillwell Beckett Rd
                        Oxford, OH, 45056-8870
    1.    Make check payable to "OCIN"
    2.    Price per map includes mailing within the USA
    3.    Be sure you clearly specify which maps you want.
    4.    Be sure to include neatly printed name and address for shipping.
    5.    Please also include phone number and e-mail in case we have questions.
    6.    E-mail Mike Minium for discounts on quantity purchases.
    7.    Delivery within 4 weeks.  E-mail Mike Minium for rush orders.

Map "packets" available from various parks include a safety whistle.
Maps ordered directly from OCIN do not include a whistle.
OCIN's orienteering whistle can be ordered for $1 with any map order.
 

Active Permanent Courses

Fort Ancient State Historic Site, Lebanon, OH
    course type:  public  sequential
    beginner level, 2 mile course (plus one mile return to car, or driver shuttle)
    Match historical facts about this site with the locations you visit.
    Some answers are on plaques; others are found by observing your surroundings.
    markers: 3" plastic plaques attached to park interpretive signs or other posts.
    course designed by: Greg Sack
    course maintained by: Fort Ancient (Jack Blosser) and Mike Minium
    maps:
        $4 from OCIN
        $5 packet available at Fort Ancient Visitor Center
        additional park admission fee applies

Governor Bebb Butler County Metropark, Okeana, OH
    course type:  public  score
    20 control points of mostly beginner difficulty, a few are challenging.
    markers: 3' tall white and orange posts
    course designed by: Lafe Meicenheimer (Eagle Scout Project)
    course maintained by: Mike Minium
    maps:
        $4 from OCIN
        Metroparks car permit needed: ($2 daily or $5 annual, purchase on site from ranger)

Hueston Woods State Park, Oxford, OH
    course type:  public  score
    campground area: 15 control points of beginner to intermediate difficulty.
    markers: 3' tall white and orange posts
    course designed by: Mike Minium
    maintained by: Mike Minium
    maps:
        $4 from OCIN
        $5 packet available seasonally at Campground Store

Miami University Middletown Campus, Middletown, OH
    course type:  public   sequential
    20 control points.  Two 10-control courses (beginner and intermediate)
    markers: 3' tall post topped by metal plate
    course designed by: Mike McCrystal (Eagle Scout Project)
    course maintained by: maintainer needed, contact Mike Minium
    maps:
        $4 from OCIN (shows all 20 points on one map)
        Pick up free visitor parking permit from campus police.

Camp Stonybrook, GSUSA, Waynesville OH
    course type:    private   sequential
    beginner and intermediate courses
    markers: 3' tall white and orange posts
    course designed by: Vicki and Margie Huseman
    course maintained by: Vicki Huseman
    maps:
        Contact Great Rivers GS Council Office, Cornell Rd, Cincinnati
        girl scout camp, access with permission only

Camp Friedlander / Camp Craig BSA, Loveland, OH
    course type:   private    sequential
    14 points including start and finish.
    course designed by Ron Reynolds
    markers: metal orange and white plaques
        boy scout camp, access with permission only
    Free Map: http://www.danbeard.org/PDF/Camping/Friedlander_Orienteering.pdf

Camp Michaels BSA, Boone County, KY
    course type:   private    sequential
    13 points including start and finish.
    course designed by Pete Watkins
    markers: metal orange and white plaques
        boy scout camp, access with permission only
    Free Map: http://www.danbeard.org/PDF/Camping/Michaels_Orienteering_color.pdf
 

Inactive and Proposed Courses

Caesar Creek State Park (Campground Area)
    course type:  public  sequential beginner course   score intermediate course
    15-20 beginner and intermediate controls
    markers: 3' tall white and orange posts
    course designed by: Mike Minium
    course maintained by: not currently maintained
    1993 map is badly out-dated; area is heavily used by mountain bikes.
    Posts adjacent to bike trails were repeatedly damaged or removed.
    A volunteer is needed to remove existing markers.
    We would seek park approval to re-install the course in another part of the park.
    Contact Mike Minium

East Fork State Park
    Park management wants a course in this area.
    course type:   public
    Installation would be an ideal Eagle Scout project.
    Contact Mike Minium

Hueston Woods, Lodge Area
    Park management wants a course in this area.
    course type:   public
    Installation would be an ideal Eagle Scout project.  in progress, installation expected in fall, 2007
    Contact Mike Minium

Cincinnati Nature Center
formerly Wildwood Christian (Presbyterian) Camp & Conference Center, Milford, OH
    course type:   private   sequential
    7 control beginner course
    markers: 3' tall white and orange posts
    course designed by: Steve Hughes
    course maintained by: maintainer needed.
    maps not currently available
    Contact Greg Sack
 

Other nearby permanent courses

Woodland Trails BSA Camp, Camden OH - contact Matt Bond, Miami Valley Orienteering Club
    course type:   private

Cricket Holler BSA Camp, Dayton OH - contact Matt Bond, Miami Valley Orienteering Club
    course type:   private

Camp Whippoorwill GSUSA, Lebanon, OH - contact Matt Bond, Miami Valley Orienteering Club
    course type:   private

Bear Creek BSA Camp, Connersville, IN - contact Peter Murphy, Indiana Crossroads Orienteering
    course type:   private
    6 controls installed, remainder will be installed soon.

Story Resort, Hoosier National Forest, Story, IN
    course type:   public
    Maps are available at Story Resort or:
        Hoosier National Forest Supervisor's Office
        811 Constitution Avenue,  Bedford, IN 47421
        (812) 275-5987           Fax (812) 279-3423
    orienteering map, master map and brochure for $2.10 including postage.

Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Bloomington, IN
    course type:   public
    black and white USGS map.  available online for FREE
    brochure: http://www.wildindiana.com/topics/brochure.pdf
    map: http://www.wildindiana.com/topics/trail.pdf
 

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