Program Fundamentals
Our playful and highly motivating curriculum develops skills ranging from problem-solving to commitment, which are based on the Canadian Sport for Life - Long Term Athlete Development Model (LTAD) and Orienteering Canada's Skills & Development. These have shaped our four running fundamentals:
Our Program Experiences
SOGO offers skill-based programs each with a distinct age bracket. We welcome and encourage new Adventure Runners to join our programs at any age. Previous experience is not required - our curriculum and approach to coaching ensures that every participant is set up for success upon joining.
If you're unsure which level to register in, please email to discuss. Our team is more than happy to help!
- Endurance
- Speed and Power
- Strength and Agility
- Navigation
Our Program Experiences
SOGO offers skill-based programs each with a distinct age bracket. We welcome and encourage new Adventure Runners to join our programs at any age. Previous experience is not required - our curriculum and approach to coaching ensures that every participant is set up for success upon joining.
If you're unsure which level to register in, please email to discuss. Our team is more than happy to help!
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Squirts
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Level 1
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Level 2
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Navigators
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Access
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SOGO Squirts (Ages 2-5)
Getting Little Athletes Going
Your little ones will gain the skills to move competently and confidently through a range of environments under the mindful guidance of our coaching team.
Within the Squirts you would register your child in either the Parented or Unparented program.
Parented Squirts are for children aged 2-3 year olds. Parents join the group as they walk/jog/run on and off trails and participate in a range of games that encourage a life-long interest in physical activity.
Unparented Squirts are for children aged 4-5 year olds. Coaches will escort the children through the courses. Parents are always welcome to join the group at any time.
Your preschooler will graduate from Squirts to Level 1 once they turn 5 years old and has completed a season of SOGO Squirts or they have turned 6 years old.
Within the Squirts you would register your child in either the Parented or Unparented program.
Parented Squirts are for children aged 2-3 year olds. Parents join the group as they walk/jog/run on and off trails and participate in a range of games that encourage a life-long interest in physical activity.
Unparented Squirts are for children aged 4-5 year olds. Coaches will escort the children through the courses. Parents are always welcome to join the group at any time.
Your preschooler will graduate from Squirts to Level 1 once they turn 5 years old and has completed a season of SOGO Squirts or they have turned 6 years old.
The finish line is just the beginning of a whole new race.
- Unknown
SOGO Level 1 (Ages 6 - 12)
The Basics
Participants are divided into 4 colour groups based on age and ability to ensure everyone receives the coaching and guidance they need and enjoys the maximum skills development from the program.
Through highly motivating playful games and activities, participants will navigate through adventure running stations as they learn the basics of Adventure Running.
Each night focuses on building skills by engaging in two of our four energetic Adventure Running stations (Speed/Power, Strength/Agility, Endurance, and Navigation) located throughout the park. The stations rotate throughout the season to keep participants learning, growing and developing.
Expect to be encouraged to attend a coach-supported local fun run event during the season!
Participants may take part in Level One for several years with challenges evolving with each age group.
Through highly motivating playful games and activities, participants will navigate through adventure running stations as they learn the basics of Adventure Running.
Each night focuses on building skills by engaging in two of our four energetic Adventure Running stations (Speed/Power, Strength/Agility, Endurance, and Navigation) located throughout the park. The stations rotate throughout the season to keep participants learning, growing and developing.
Expect to be encouraged to attend a coach-supported local fun run event during the season!
Participants may take part in Level One for several years with challenges evolving with each age group.
You must expect great things from yourself before you can do them.
– Michael Jordan
SOGO Level 2 (Ages 10 - 16)
Serious About Running and Route Finding
Level two moves past the playfulness of Level 1 to more navigation and independence. Children are often found running with a map to find checkpoints throughout the park, they go farther from the meeting area and challenge each other to run while thinking about the best route. Children in Level two have a desire to improve their running and confidence in route finding abilities.
Once children are 10 and have done a couple seasons of SOGO Level 1 they can consider Level 2. We welcome new kids to Level 2, often pairing them with a coach or a teammate to learn about navigation.
Athletes will be encouraged to attend a coach-supported local fun run and a regional navigation event!
Participants may take part in SOGO Level Two until they're ready for a deeper personal challenge and move to Navigators where they would train a couple times a week.
Once children are 10 and have done a couple seasons of SOGO Level 1 they can consider Level 2. We welcome new kids to Level 2, often pairing them with a coach or a teammate to learn about navigation.
Athletes will be encouraged to attend a coach-supported local fun run and a regional navigation event!
Participants may take part in SOGO Level Two until they're ready for a deeper personal challenge and move to Navigators where they would train a couple times a week.
Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.
– John F. Kennedy
SOGO Navigator (formerly Level 3)
SOGO Navigators is our orienteering program for teenagers aged 12-17. We welcome teens who are new to orienteering and who have previous orienteering/ adventure running experience. Teens will be supported by experienced volunteers who are national level elite orienteers.
Athletes meet once per week to build and hone their navigation abilities, technical terrain running skills, physical fitness, and have fun socializing with other teens. We train on different maps (both urban and forested) within and out of the city.
SOGO Navigators will be meeting once per week on Wednesday evenings in conjunction with Foothills Orienteering Club's WEO events, please refer to the Club's website for up to date park locations. SOGO coaches will work closely with SOGO Navigators as they participate in the event, supporting them through warm up, course selection for difficulty, course discussion ie. route choice, and post event debrief.
Athletes who are particularly driven may also start to take on a leadership role at SOGO, developing new skills in organization, collaboration and leadership. Many of our Navigators choose to continue with SOGO as one of our youth coaches for the younger children. If this is something your child would be interested in please contact us.
Athletes meet once per week to build and hone their navigation abilities, technical terrain running skills, physical fitness, and have fun socializing with other teens. We train on different maps (both urban and forested) within and out of the city.
SOGO Navigators will be meeting once per week on Wednesday evenings in conjunction with Foothills Orienteering Club's WEO events, please refer to the Club's website for up to date park locations. SOGO coaches will work closely with SOGO Navigators as they participate in the event, supporting them through warm up, course selection for difficulty, course discussion ie. route choice, and post event debrief.
Athletes who are particularly driven may also start to take on a leadership role at SOGO, developing new skills in organization, collaboration and leadership. Many of our Navigators choose to continue with SOGO as one of our youth coaches for the younger children. If this is something your child would be interested in please contact us.
The purpose of training is to tighten up the slack, toughen the body, and polish the spirit.
– Morihei Ueshiba
SOGO Access (Ages 2 - 17)
Every Kid Can Get Outside
The Access Program is not offered at this time as a separate program.
The Access Program enables children with challenged abilities - behavioural, mental and/or physical - to access the outdoors and be a part of SOGO. SOGO Access Adventure is a parented/caregiver supported experience, meaning your child will be accompanied as they participate in a range of games and activities. Children participate in SOGO Access until they are comfortable to transition to Level 1, 2 or Navigators or they remain in SOGO Access.
Even though access is not offered separately, all of our Coaches can support your child in a regular program. As well, if you are a Between Friends member please let us know during registration.
SOGO Access has two programs:
The Access Program enables children with challenged abilities - behavioural, mental and/or physical - to access the outdoors and be a part of SOGO. SOGO Access Adventure is a parented/caregiver supported experience, meaning your child will be accompanied as they participate in a range of games and activities. Children participate in SOGO Access until they are comfortable to transition to Level 1, 2 or Navigators or they remain in SOGO Access.
Even though access is not offered separately, all of our Coaches can support your child in a regular program. As well, if you are a Between Friends member please let us know during registration.
SOGO Access has two programs:
- Small group night - through specialized programming, every child will gain new skills and the confidence to explore the outdoors in an adventure-based environment. SOGO Access Adventure is not a “one-size-fits-all program”; every child will follow the same basic activities each week, modified to suit each individual’s abilities. Goals will depend on ability, and will be defined after a conversation between the coach, parents and children.
- Integrated Program - during every hour of SOGO we welcome all kids to get outside and play. Our SOGO Access program coordinator will help both our group and station coaches work with kids with challenged abilities. As always, parent support is encouraged to ensure your child's success.
