08OrienteeringFrom pirates to Indiana Jones, who doesn’t enjoy a treasure hunt? Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation presents Christmas Orienteering Day, Friday, Dec. 22, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Lake Rim Park. It’s a great opportunity to get outdoors and learn something new while having an adventure the whole family can enjoy.

“Orienteering is when you use a compass to find a spot on a map,” said Jacob Brown, park ranger at Lake Rim Park. “For the Christmas Orienteering Day, we will provide people with maps when they come in, and different spots will be marked; each of them are numbered.” Brown added that participants will have to use a compass and typographic map to find those spots along the trail, and then they will have to copy down a symbol found at that location.

Lake Rim Park has a mile-long trail that loops around the baseball, soccer and football fields.

“Most of the spots that the participants will have to find will be located right off the trail,” said Brown. “Some of them you have to go into the woods to locate.” Brown added that participants will receive prizes when they find the eight different locations.

 The purpose of the event is to educate the public on certain outdoor skills. “We do all sorts of different programs to bring in the public, and orienteering is a good skill to have – especially with a lot of military folks around,” said Brown. “They want to teach their kids a little about using the compass and the things they have to do at work.”

The event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome. Call to register because space is limited. For more information, call (910) 433-1018.