A Great Spring Break Orienteering

One early morning on spring break, I woke up dreamy eyed. Suddenly, I remembered our family tradition! I sprang out of bed knowing that today would be the best day of spring break!

As my family and I drove for an hour and a half, I started thinking of how much fun my family and I would have today. Today we are going orienteering!

Orienteering is a sport where you are given a compass and a map. You use them to find checkpoints in the woods that are colored half orange and half white. On them is a clamp that you push on a piece of paper so when you finish, they know you have reached all of them and not cheated.

Suddenly I burst out of my thoughts when my dad said excitedly, "There it is! We're here!"

I was so excited when I was handed a compass and a map. I was as eager to go as my sister was of staying.

Finally, we were off! I looked at my map, then my compass. "Straight ahead!" I yelled to my teammates Christina, Katherine, Grandpa and Dad.

After a little running, I spotted it. My whole team ran to see if it was the right one; it was! Quickly, I checked my map and started jogging in that direction to let my team know which way to go.

We were on the seventh one when I realized something, we hadn't done number five!                                                                            
I told my teammates to stay where they were and that I'd be right back. I was running rapidly when something wet dropped on my forehead; it was going to rain.

Before I had gone far it was pouring as hard as hail! (even though it wasn't hail)

Finally, I got to it. I clipped it, then stared running in the direction I had come from.

Then I saw my team as tiny dots in the distance. I signaled them to go to number eight (they had the map). They understood me and started running.

By the time I got to them it was pouring. I was panting heavily. It was still raining, a little lighter than before, but it still felt uncomfortable in soaking clothes. I led my team through a short-cut in the woods. Finally, I saw number nine and bolted to it rapidly. I stamped it. Happily I thought, one more to go!

We fast walked along a trail. I brought my team to a halt. The last checkpoint was supposed to be right there! I double-checked my map. Then I saw the problem. Then check-point was behind the building we were in front of! Quickly I ran around the building. Something gooey sloshed around my foot. I glanced down. My foot was stuck in mud! The thick sand colored mud did not feel good at all. My sister helped me get my sneaker out of it and we were off again.

I got the checkpoint. "TO THE FINISH!!" I yelled. Everyone sped away. I was in the lead. We crossed the finish line. We so happy until we saw what place were in; last!

Anyway, we had a good time, right? Everybody nodded. We then warmed up with some hot chocolate and celebrated.

Orienteering is meaningful to me because I love strolling through the woods in the fresh air, and soft doughy soil. All the excitement of getting to the next checkpoint is thrilling and makes me full of energy. Also, at the finish, the way my loving family cheers for me, I feel cheerful and glad.

by Kimberly Stone, March 2010