WPOC has worked with several parks to establish permanent orienteering courses.  The purpose of a permanent orienteering course is to provide a continuous opportunity for the public to experience orienteering whenever they desire.   Although WPOC hosts about 10 orienteering events per year, these events may not fit well into everyone's schedule.  However, the permanent courses are available any day for practice with map and compass, for people to learn to orienteer for the first time, or to hone one's orienteering skills.  The following list identifies where the permanent courses are, what role WPOC played in establishing them and how you can get a map of the courses.  In all cases, the maps are free.
 

Stackhouse Park, Johnstown, PA

WPOC worked with Stackhouse Park and Adrienne Oldham, a local girl scout, to set up the permanent orienteering courses in 2006.  There are three suggested courses, although the controls may be visited in any order that one desires.  You can find out more about these courses at  Stackhouse Permanent Courses  This linked page also contains a link to an online map of the park.  In addition, you can get the map through the Stackhouse Park website  ( Stackhouse Park  ).  A third source for the maps is the Park Ranger at Stackhouse Park; just ask for one when you get there.  The driving directions given on the "Maps and Directions" page to Stackhouse Park lead you to the Luzerne Street entrance and the ranger station.
 

Yellow Creek State Park, Penn Run, PA

WPOC worked with DCNR and John Berkavich, a local high school student, to set up the permanent orienteering courses in 2011.  There are two courses:  one for beginners and one at the intermediate level.  Both courses are shown on a single map.  The map and instructions for using it are available through the Park Office at Yellow Creek SP - the map is on one side of a page and the instructions are on the other side.  You can also get the map and instructions through the following links:   Instructions  and   Map   The park office is about 8 miles east of Indiana; take Route 422 to Route 259; the office is on Route 259 a couple hundred yards from the intersection.  The driving directions given on the "Maps and Directions" page lead you to the North Shore Pavilion, starting place for both courses.  You can find out more about Yellow Creek SP at the park's website:   Yellow Creek
 

Greenwood Furnace State Park, Huntington County

WPOC consulted with DCNR regarding the permanent orienteering course that was already in place at Greenwood Furnace.  The result was an improved map of the course.  You can get a map of the course at the Park Office, located along Route 305, south of State College.  You can find out more about Greenwood Furnace SPat the park's website:   Greenwood Furnace
 

Whipple Dam State Park, Huntington County

WPOC consulted with DCNR and faculty and students at Penn State to create a map of part of Whipple Dam State Park and to establish two orienteering courses there.  One course in intended for beginners and the other is for advanced beginners.  You can get a map of the courses at the Greenwood Furnace Park Office, located along Route 305, south of State College.  Whipple Dam SP is located off of Route 26, south of State College.  You can find out more about Whipple Dam SP at the park's website:   Whipple Dam