Discussion: Getting novices involved in O

Just wondering what clubs use to get people who have never O'd before involved?
I had hardly O'd until last year, then ShUOC got their claws into me.
At our Uni sports fair today we had loads of people sign up, and our Give-it-a-go events this weekend promise to be packed out!

We find the 'everyone at their own level' approach works, and also advertising ourselves as 'Orienteering and Fell Running' works very well - as lots of us do lots of fell running - we get them involved in that, then introduce a map and compass!

Being a student club it's probably a fair bit easier for us than for most others, but we had such a wide range of people sign up we were quite suprised!
Nic, ShUOC!

Also, while I'm at it, we produced a few videos (courtesy of Fazza/'Danger' Dave Schorah)
(The 2nd does involve some of Thiery's' follow me' as an intro to those who'd never heard of O')

ShUOC RULES!

ShUOC RULES...... AGAIN!

Holly, why arent you part of this discussion?
Holly's tactics for getting people involved include:
-making them run (j/k)
-kidnapping them and forcing them to go wander around in woods and such
-eating dinner w/ fellow orienteers
-wearing orienteering shirts to catch other people
-talking about it NONSTOP
-giving people maps
-giving people o-dukus

I am actually very excited about giving O-ing a shot. its cool to know its something that, while remaining small here, the people involved are very passionate about.

I tried to get a mate into it and her reply was, "You really make it sound like a cult".

We did Giove it a Go O and Fell running this weekend and it was a hit! about 15 people at O, and 70 at fell running! Our circuit session today was packed, and I think that most of this lot will get well involved with the club - good times!

Advertising in schools would be a good way to get younger orienteers...

Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't (especially in the US when there are so many other competing sports to draw their attention away...).

When I remember I post our local club's schedule in the nearest school, but that only hits one small group.