Scout-O

CNYO’s 32nd Annual Scout-O
For Scouts and other youth groups
Learn to use a map and compass to find markers hidden in the woods
Saturday-Sunday, November 8-9, 2025 plus extended dates by request
Highland Forest County Park, Fabius, NY

Printable flyer for 2024 event
More info: Summer Newsletter | Fall Newsletter

What: Start with a guided map hike where we’ll show you how to do it
Then, try a practice course on your own, with your group

When: Make an appointment for your guided map hike on Saturday Nov 8, or other dates by request Nov 1-15.
Start as early as 8:30 AM or as late as 1:30. Each hike takes about an hour.

Scouts with more experience can try a patrol competition on Sunday morning, Nov 9 at Pines Camp.

$7 per Scout • Pre-registration required • Waiver required

Camping: primitive tent sites available for experienced campers

Pre-registration required

Register by email to Stacy Pendell. Pre-registration is required, preferably in October. Please register as a troop.

You can reserve a time before you register. Sign up early to get first choice of times. Email your preferred days and times to the link above. Watch for a return email confirming your start time.To register, email the following information:

1. Troop/group/pack number and city or town
2. Age range of scouts
3. Approximate number of scouts attending
4. Preferred day and start time
5. Contact information for at least one leader who will be on site, including full name and phone number
   Optional answers to include if applicable:
6. Do you prefer to lead your own hike without a guide?
7. Do you prefer to print your own maps? Maps need a color printer with standard 8 1/2 by 11″ paper.
8. Are you ready for the advanced map hike? Ages 13 & older with orienteering experience.
9. Sunday patrol competition: do you plan on attending? If yes, approximate number of competitors and number of maps (maps shared by 2-3 scouts)
10. Do you plan to camp overnight? Friday, Saturday, or both nights?

First 250 registrants receive a custom embroidered patch.

Waiver required

A completed waiver must be received for every person who will be in the woods, whether youth or adult. These can be sent by paper mail, email, or dropped in a box at the event.

Guided Map Hikes: Saturday, Nov 8

or other days by arrangement

Members of the CNYO club will give guided map hikes to groups of youths and their leaders. (Leaders need to accompany their groups.) As you walk along, your guide will demonstrate concepts for finding your way in the woods: how to orient a map, map symbols, terrain features, catching and safety features, route choices, plus much more. The explanations can be adjusted to suit the age and experience of your group. Each participant will have their own map to follow along. Compasses are not required for this hike.

Each group will start their hike at an assigned time between 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Hikes take about an hour. When you register, you may indicate a starting time that your group would prefer, and ask about alternate dates if desired. We will accommodate requests as closely as possible and confirm times by email.

Practice Course: After your guided hike, there will be a second map to try on your own. You can do as much or as little of this second hike as you wish, finishing at your own pace.

Advanced option: Separate maps with a more challenging map hike and practice course are available for those age 13 & older who have attended this event for at least three years.

Patrol Competition: Sunday Nov 9

Scouts compete in patrols or teams of two sizes, small (3 to 5 people) or large (5 to 8 people). Larger troops divide into patrols of whichever size they prefer. Each patrol needs a name and a leader. During the competition, patrols may break into smaller groups of at least 2 people to visit controls. Individual competitors are not allowed. The competition goal is to find as many control markers as possible in the shortest time. Controls may be visited in any order. Adults may accompany youth for safety but may not assist youth in locating controls. Adults may register to compete separately, as individuals or in adult-only patrols.

8:45 AM: Mandatory patrol leaders’ meeting to go over the rules, with map handouts immediately following. (Leaders should plan on having their groups registered before this time so they don’t miss out on the instructions.)
Mass start 9:30 AM / time limit 90 minutes

Awards for each group size in each category (for each sex and co-eds) will be handed out soon after the finish of the event.

Fees

• $7 per Scout including pre-printed maps and custom embroidered patches, OR
• $5 per Scout if you print your own maps.
• No fee for accompanying adults who do not want a map or patch.
• If attending both days, including the Sunday patrol competition: $10 per Scout with pre-printed maps, or $8 per Scout if you print your own maps.
• $20 per group if camping overnight.
• Late fee plus no pre-printed maps if registering after Nov 1.

Payment options: Send a check by mail (preferred), ask for our PayPal link ($3 surcharge), or bring to the event a check or exact amount of cash in an envelope labeled with your troop number. Checks should be payable to either “Central New York Orienteering” or “CNYO”. Mailing address: Stacy Pendell, 321 State Route 38, Locke, NY 13092.

Camping

Nov 7-9: We have reserved the park’s Cedars Tenting Area, Sections 1 and 2, for Friday and Saturday nights. You can claim a campsite by letting us know when you register; no need to contact the park.

• Cost is $20 per group for the weekend, whether you camp one night or both nights.
• Camp selection is first come first served. You can set up anytime after noon Friday. 
• Camping is primitive, tents only, latrines but no electricity and no water. Water is available at the old park office near the north end of the park.
• More info about camping