Is the governing body for the sport of Orienteering in the USA.
This page provides some quick information on membership, courses and the competitive classes as set by OUSA. They are similar to the FL JROTC events; however, there are some distinct differences.
Click here to go the official website
In the United States, Orienteering USA is the governing body for the sport of Orienteering. So with that being said, they provide the rules for the events. OUSA is made up of individual membership and club memberships. Individuals who are members in good standing, and participate in nationally ranked events, can earn points towards their standing in the national ranking system. Orienteering Clubs who are members of OUSA can apply to have an event they are hosting to be Nationally ranked by OUSA. Club membership under OUSA also receive several benefits from OUSA.
If you want to get nationally ranked you will need to become a member of OUSA, you do not need to become a member of a local club; however, many clubs will provide a discount to individuals who are OUSA members. Also, you never know when a club near you will be holding a nationally ranked event. So it is always good to have your OUSA membership in good standing. Prices for membership are: Junior - $10 (age 20 and younger; no voting rights or Year in Review), Student – $20 (age 25 and under; you will have voting rights and receive Year in Review), Adult - $35, and Family - $45. They also provide lifetime memberships.
To become a member of OUSA please click on this link: OUSA Membership
Courses
Most of you may be familiar with the Florida Orienteering Club courses of White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, and sometimes Violet.
OUSA has a set type of courses. From the rules book they are:
A.10.1 White level courses are intended for novice orienteers.
A.10.2 Yellow level courses are intended for advanced beginners.
A.10.3 Orange level courses are intended for intermediate level orienteers.
A.10.4 Brown level courses are technically advanced and physically designed for older orienteers in terms of distance, climb and terrain.
A.10.5 Green level courses are technically advanced and of a moderate distance.
A.10.6 Red level courses are technically advanced with high physical difficulty appropriate for Elite female competitors.
A.10.7 Blue level courses are technically advanced with high physical difficulty appropriate for Elite male competitors.
A.10.8 Any event that uses alternative designations for the courses shall also include the closest matching color designation in the event information. (Violet??)
Competitive Classes
For our JROTC events we have males and females running Yellow, Orange, Green etc. For OUSA the rules are more specific and depending on your ages in many cases especially for Nationally Ranked events, determines what course you have to run.
OUSA Classes from the rule book are:
A.11.1.1 Individual competitors are divided into classes by gender (M for male, and F for female), and age as of December 31 of the current year.
A.11.2.6 A Dash (-) before an age indicates that competitors that age and younger may enter that class.
A.11.2.7 A Plus (+) after an age indicates that competitors that age and older may enter that class.
Lets do a quick example: Let's say today is Tuesday, April 16, 2026, you are 16 years of age and your birthday is October 10th.
a. For all purposes OUSA considers you 17 years old since rule A.11.1.1 states "age as of December 31 of the current year." This is very important to remember.
b. Now we look at the chart above and find either Male or Female where age 17 falls into.
c. Females would be Brown, Green, and Red because we see F-18 under Brown (Female 18 and younger), F-20 under Green (Female 20 and younger)
and F-21+ under Red (Female younger than 21 and older than 21).
d. Males would be Green, Red, or Blue because we see M-18 under Green (Male 18 and younger), M-20 under Red (Male 20 and younger)
and M-21+ under Blue (Male younger than 21 and older than 21).
General Eligibility Rules
A.12.1.1 Any person desiring to compete is eligible except as set forth below or in special cases designated by the Executive Committee.
A.12.1.2 Persons with prior knowledge of the competition area that they or the event organizers believe will give them unfair advantage are not eligible to compete for awards, titles, or national rankings. In the event of a protest, the matter shall be decided by the Jury.
A.12.1.3 Persons not eligible for awards, titles or national rankings may participate.
Championship Eligibility Rules
A.12.2 Championship Eligibility Rules for Orienteering USA Sanctioned Events 13 January, 2025
A.12.2.1 The title of Orienteering USA National Champion in any class as determined at an officially designated Orienteering USA Nationals Event shall be limited to any person who meets both of the following criteria before starting the competition:
a. Is a regular or junior member in good standing of Orienteering USA.
b. Is either a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States of America
Intercollegiate and Interscholastic event Classes and Eligibility Rules
A.11.2.5 Intercollegiate and Interscholastic events have additional classes not in the standard Orienteering USA classes.
A.35.1.1 Intercollegiate competition is an individual point-to-point format competition for eligible college students.
A.35.1.2 Interscholastic competition is an individual point-to-point format competition for eligible K-12 students (If you have been to a NJROTC National Orienteering Competition then you will be familiar with these classes).
A.35.1.3 Students compete for individual awards and can compete on teams for team awards.
Course/Class Structure
A.35.2.1 In addition to the standard course/class structure the following Individual Intercollegiate and/or Interscholastic classes are added.
1. ICVM: Intercollegiate Varsity Males compete on the Red course
2. ICVF: Intercollegiate Varsity Females compete on the Green course
3. ICJVM: Intercollegiate Junior Varsity Males compete on the Orange course
4. ICJVF: Intercollegiate Junior Varsity Females compete on the Orange course
5. ISVM: Interscholastic Varsity Males compete on the Green course and are in any grade through twelve.
6. ISVF: Interscholastic Varsity Females compete on the Brown course and are in any grade through twelve.
7. ISJVM: Interscholastic Junior Varsity Males compete on the Orange course and are in any grade through twelve.
8. ISJVF: Interscholastic Junior Varsity Females compete on the Orange course and are in any grade through twelve.
9. ISIM: Interscholastic Intermediate Males compete on the Yellow course and are in any grade through nine.
10. ISIF: Interscholastic Intermediate Females compete on the Yellow course and are in any grade through nine.
11. ISPM: Interscholastic Primary Males compete on the White course and are in any grade through six.
12. ISPF: Interscholastic Primary Females compete on the White course and are in any grade through six.
Intercollegiate/Interscholastic events may also include team classes as follows:
Rules for Orienteering USA Sanctioned Events 29 January, 2025
a. Intercollegiate Varsity Teams consist of 2 to 5 competitors who are competing in the ICVM and/or ICVF classes.
b. Intercollegiate Junior Varsity Teams consist of 2 to 5 competitors who are competing in the ICJVM and/or ICJVF classes.
c. Interscholastic Varsity Teams consist of 2 to 5 competitors who are competing in the ISVM and/or ISVF classes.
d. Interscholastic Junior Varsity Teams consist of 2 to 5 competitors who are competing in the ISJVM and/or ISJVF classes.
e. Interscholastic Intermediate Teams consist of 2 to 5 competitors who are competing in the ISIM and/or ISIF classes.
f. Interscholastic Primary Teams consist of 2 to 5 competitors who are competing in the ISPM and/or ISPF classes.
g. Mixed Teams consist of 2 to 5 competitors who are competing in any available IC/IS class for which they are eligible.
Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Eligibility
A.35.3.1 To be eligible to compete in an Intercollegiate class the competitor must be a full-time college or university student. (Undergraduate or graduate as defined by the college or university)
A.35.3.2 To be eligible to compete in an Interscholastic class the competitor must meet the grade requirements listed above and either be enrolled in a public or private school or be homeschooled.
A.35.3.3 Additional eligibility requirements applicable to OUSA Junior Nationals are found at A.36.3 and A.36.4 (See OUSA Junior Nationals Page).
