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Please join us on Saturday, December 13 at Bell's Bend Park
This event features a new Partnership with Nashville Metro Parks. Bell's Bend is an amazing park with a long history.
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Latest Update: Dec 2, 2025
Map and Meet Notes for Bell’s Bend Scramble
This should be read by everyone and not just beginners.
Meet Description: This is a 3 hour Orienteering event that allows everyone to go your own pace and distance in 3 hours. There are 42 controls out there and each one has a “point value” assigned to it, depending on how far from the meet HQ (Nature center) and how difficult the control is to find. As of this writing, there are about 2200 points possible but that could change. For every minute you are past the 3 hour deadline, you will have 100 points deducted from your score. The 3 hour limit is calculated from the Mass start time. If you arrive 30 minutes late to the start, the finish time will still be calculated from whenever everyone else started. If we happen to be running late, and start at 11:05, then the deadline will be 2:05. We encourage to go out as a team or solo but unless you are a family with kids, we ask that you restrict the team to 2 or 3 people.
Map: The Map is a work in progress and is only partially finished. Quite a few things (especially vegetation thickness) has not been completely mapped. What to trust? Trails, buildings and vegetation boundaries, contours, fences. Quite a few fences have not been mapped and some places are too difficult to get to. The direct area around the Control Point location has been mapped but you might find that the direction you come in from, is not accurate. Stream beds with white background means easy traverse.
Thorn fields are mapped. The color symbol with yellow background and green lines are thorns. The closer together green lines are areas you cannot get into (Same as dark green). The other thorn areas are “enter at your own risk”. If you need help with other Orienteering Map symbols, we have a O-Map Symbols sheet we can give you. You can also get practice by heading over to Iknow-O.com and trying out the quizzes and lessons for both Orienteering Control descriptions and Map symbols. This is not an app but works well on mobile. The control descriptions will be provided on a separate sheet. Bell’s Bend Sample Map below
E-Sticks: If you have your own E-Stick that is great and you do not have to borrow one from us. If you are not familiar with these, here are some important things to know:
The e-sticks we are lending out (SI-8) only hold 30 points. We have another 24 e-sticks that hold 50 points. If you are competitive, in shape and your goal is too clear the course (42 control points) and do not have an E-Stick, please sign up early and reach out to reserve one of these (SI-9) We will only loan those out if you are capable of getting more than 30 control points in 3 hours. In the event, that you missed out on getting an SI-9, you can still do it but this involves keeping track of the amount of control points you have visited and then coming back to the meet HQ during the race, downloading your e-stick and then heading out again with a cleared stick. We will combine these after the race. Even if you do have your own E-Stick, be sure to check the version that you have before you leave.
Location:
4187 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37218.
The meet HQ will be at the Bell's Bend Outdoor Center
This is a 3 Hour "Score-O" format with a Mass start at 11:00. Please arrive no later than 10:30 but suggested arrival time is 10am. This is a beginner friendly event and you can go at your own pace. This is also a competitive event for those that like to challenge themselves. Arrive early for a short beginners clinic for those that are new or just need some help. This format is perfect for beginners.
Rules and some tips:
You will be given your map as soon as you and/or your team checks in. You will have as much time as you want to plan your route. This is not a point to point event, it is "go your own way" event where you cannot fail.
Teams are allowed but with a Maximum of 3 per team*. Suggested is either solo or in Pairs. Unless you have a family with kids
Sign up early, as we struggle trying to come up with Maps at the last minute.
Check in as early as 10 am.
The start time for everyone is at 11am
You will get an information sheet along with the map on check in.
You will have until 2pm to find as many "control points" as you can. Each control point will have a value based and your total value points will be your final score.
If you finish past 2pm, your team will lose 100 points per minute!
There will be about 2200 Points possible
Group discount *(JROTC/ROTC/Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts/Trail Life/Church/School/etc)
Schedule
10am-11am Check in and Map and Rules Sheet Handout
10:45am Briefing
11am Start time for everyone
2pm Everyone is due in
2:15-2:30 Winner and announcements
2:30 Help Pick up Controls
We now have event discounts for Club Membership (NEW). Visit our website for more information and before signing up for this event.
E-Sticks sometimes called Fingersticks
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