Play in the Woods Expo Champoeg State Historic Area St. Paul, Oregon
Apr 21 2007

Expo features outdoor fun, fitness for all

This is the place to be if you have any notion of enjoying the great Pacific Northwest outdoors to its fullest. Friends of Historic Champoeg and the Columbia River Orienteering Club invite you to Play in the Woods Expo, a celebration of the outdoors life in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

On this Saturday of Earth Day weekend, we'll be joined by a dozen (or more) other organizations to share with you the wide range of recreational opportunities you have in this area. From walking along the Willamette to summiting Mt. Hood, we'll help you find the adventure that's right for you. There is no charge to come and visit with enthusiasts of these sports. (There is a $3 per car park admission fee).

Throughout the day, we'll also be offering a variety of clinics and workshops on subjects including map-and-compass navigation and more.

When you've visited all the clubs, it's time to get active with a variety of activities presented by our organizations.

Including, of course, orienteering. In addition to our beginner and intermediate navigation clinics and our rogaining clinic, we'll have an orienteering meet with courses for all ages and abilities. We'll also have a Nature-O course, where you'll follow your map to the natural and cultural history highlights of this great park. Thanks to a grant from Kaiser Permanente, these activities are free. Advanced orienteers can try out our SportIndent electronic control system (there will be a deposit for SportIdent rentals).

Orienteering registration begins at 10 a.m., start times are between 10:30 and 1.
Other activities include a sanctioned Volkswalk, hosted by the Silverton Walkabouts, disc golf demonstration, birdwatch walk, trekking pole demo, and workshops on: geocaching, what to take for your safety in the woods, Leave No Trace ethics, and of course, navigation by map and compass. We'll also have a guided class to help orienteers move up to the advanced levels. We're discussing a kayaking demo, and PDX Adventure Racers are planning a 2-3 hour adventure race (cost, $10 or less).

In 2006 we also had disc golf, birdwatching walks, and a guided bicycle tour of the park, and disc golf demonstration. We will keep updating this Web site as other activities are confirmed.

We'll also let you know what other organizations are participating. We already have confirmation from Silverton Walkabouts, Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project, Friends of Historic Champoeg, Adventure Without Limits, Oregon Nordic CLub, PDX Adventure Racers, Walk About magazine, and Walking Softly Adventures (organizers of hiking and walking trips to Europe).

meet director: Jerry Rhodes

Directions: Directions to Champoeg Park: From Interstate 5, take the Donald exit (Exit 278). Follow the signs to Champoeg Park: Drive west on Ehlen Road. Turn right on Case Road, then left on Champoeg Road. Turn right into the park at the entrance. Take an immediate left after the entrance booth and follow the signs to the Expo in the West Pavilion.