SOGO Lingo
Wondering what those acronyms and SOGO terms mean? Here is your guide to SOGO Lingo.
SOGO - “SOGO” doesn’t actually mean anything - it is simply a cool sounding, two syllable word that is easy to say, easy to remember, and connotes action and adventure. Of course, over time it takes on new meanings, such as being a blend of 2 words “so"and “go”. As in, “you'd like to go for a run?”, “Okay, SO GO for a run”. Or when the snow flies in the late Fall, it gets modified to SNOWGO.
FWOC - Foothills Wanderers Orienteering Club. Our parent organization. They run orienteering events, programs - such as SOGO - and clinics for the whole family. You can check out all their other activities here
Orienteering - a competitive or noncompetitive activity in which participants use a map and compass to navigate between controls along an unfamiliar course.
Control - A checkpoint on the map indicated by a circle, and indicated in the terrain by an orienteering control flag (sometimes referred to as an orienteering flag)
Orienteering Map - A topographic map with orienteering markers. This is a more complex map than a typical topographic map as it has standard symbols (so you are able to read them regardless of your language) Orienteering maps also show forest density, water features, clearings, trails and roads, earthen banks and rock walls, ditches, wells and pits, fences and power lines, buildings, boulders, and other features of the terrain.
Control Description (on a map) - For beginners, and the younger competitors, the description is written in a simple text format, but for advanced orienteers the descriptions use symbols (pictorial). These tell a runner clues about where to find the control flag, such as "rock" or "path junction".
String Course - Sometimes referred to as string-O. A navigation based course where string is attached between SI stands creating a loop.
Spook-O - A family friendly navigation based event that runs before Halloween. Runners come in costume. It is a special club event to bring the whole SOGO community together.
Master Map - A map displayed at the meeting location that has all of the courses on it.
Orienteering Control Flag - An orange and white flag. It has a prism design that is similar to a box kite. Orienteering flags are used to mark checkpoints.
Control Code - A number or symbol on the map that matches the number/symbol at the control flag. Often found on an SI timing unit at the top of the stand. In SOGO Squirts control code hang from the flag as a laminated number or symbol that matches their map.
SI - Short for SportIdent, an electronic punching system widely used by orienteering clubs.
SI Stand - A metal pole with a small table on the top that can hold an SI timing unit. Orienteering flags are hung from the stand to indicate a checkpoint.
SI Timing Unit - A small electronic timing punch. Found on the top of an SI Stand at the beginning, end and checkpoints along an orienteering course. Also used during speed and endurance games during SOGO Adventure Running hours.
SI Timing Stick - A “finger stick” about the size of a USB that straps onto your finger. It is inserted into the SI Timing Unit to record the time between controls. It also records the order you collect controls.
Timing Printer - A small portable printer used at the end of a course to print runners times between controls as recorded by their SI timing stick.
Hand Punch - Similar to a hole punch, it has small pins that pierce the punch card. Each hand punch has the pins in a different pattern. This is to identify which control the punch was located at. Hand punches are found on the SI Stand at each control when not using SI Timing Units. SOGO Squirts primarily use hand punches throughout their season as the use of hand punches helps develop their fine motor skills and builds their hand writing muscles.
Punch Card - A paper card carried by the runner. This paper has a list of the controls with a space to punch or mark at each control.
SOGO Season - SOGO has two seasons: the Spring and the Fall seasons.
SOGO Access - a SOGO program that runs once a week for children with disabilities. It is a small group, parented program.
SOGO Access Integrated Program - this applies to kids who have a special need who are registered in our SOGO Squirts, SOGO Level 1, 2 or 3 programs (not SOGO Access). It is not a separate program - it just means you will receive an email/phone call about any additional support your child may need.
SOGO - “SOGO” doesn’t actually mean anything - it is simply a cool sounding, two syllable word that is easy to say, easy to remember, and connotes action and adventure. Of course, over time it takes on new meanings, such as being a blend of 2 words “so"and “go”. As in, “you'd like to go for a run?”, “Okay, SO GO for a run”. Or when the snow flies in the late Fall, it gets modified to SNOWGO.
FWOC - Foothills Wanderers Orienteering Club. Our parent organization. They run orienteering events, programs - such as SOGO - and clinics for the whole family. You can check out all their other activities here
Orienteering - a competitive or noncompetitive activity in which participants use a map and compass to navigate between controls along an unfamiliar course.
Control - A checkpoint on the map indicated by a circle, and indicated in the terrain by an orienteering control flag (sometimes referred to as an orienteering flag)
Orienteering Map - A topographic map with orienteering markers. This is a more complex map than a typical topographic map as it has standard symbols (so you are able to read them regardless of your language) Orienteering maps also show forest density, water features, clearings, trails and roads, earthen banks and rock walls, ditches, wells and pits, fences and power lines, buildings, boulders, and other features of the terrain.
Control Description (on a map) - For beginners, and the younger competitors, the description is written in a simple text format, but for advanced orienteers the descriptions use symbols (pictorial). These tell a runner clues about where to find the control flag, such as "rock" or "path junction".
String Course - Sometimes referred to as string-O. A navigation based course where string is attached between SI stands creating a loop.
Spook-O - A family friendly navigation based event that runs before Halloween. Runners come in costume. It is a special club event to bring the whole SOGO community together.
Master Map - A map displayed at the meeting location that has all of the courses on it.
Orienteering Control Flag - An orange and white flag. It has a prism design that is similar to a box kite. Orienteering flags are used to mark checkpoints.
Control Code - A number or symbol on the map that matches the number/symbol at the control flag. Often found on an SI timing unit at the top of the stand. In SOGO Squirts control code hang from the flag as a laminated number or symbol that matches their map.
SI - Short for SportIdent, an electronic punching system widely used by orienteering clubs.
SI Stand - A metal pole with a small table on the top that can hold an SI timing unit. Orienteering flags are hung from the stand to indicate a checkpoint.
SI Timing Unit - A small electronic timing punch. Found on the top of an SI Stand at the beginning, end and checkpoints along an orienteering course. Also used during speed and endurance games during SOGO Adventure Running hours.
SI Timing Stick - A “finger stick” about the size of a USB that straps onto your finger. It is inserted into the SI Timing Unit to record the time between controls. It also records the order you collect controls.
Timing Printer - A small portable printer used at the end of a course to print runners times between controls as recorded by their SI timing stick.
Hand Punch - Similar to a hole punch, it has small pins that pierce the punch card. Each hand punch has the pins in a different pattern. This is to identify which control the punch was located at. Hand punches are found on the SI Stand at each control when not using SI Timing Units. SOGO Squirts primarily use hand punches throughout their season as the use of hand punches helps develop their fine motor skills and builds their hand writing muscles.
Punch Card - A paper card carried by the runner. This paper has a list of the controls with a space to punch or mark at each control.
SOGO Season - SOGO has two seasons: the Spring and the Fall seasons.
SOGO Access - a SOGO program that runs once a week for children with disabilities. It is a small group, parented program.
SOGO Access Integrated Program - this applies to kids who have a special need who are registered in our SOGO Squirts, SOGO Level 1, 2 or 3 programs (not SOGO Access). It is not a separate program - it just means you will receive an email/phone call about any additional support your child may need.
