This year’s orienteering challenge, Naturpasset, has not begun. The course contains 40 checkpoints and offers people of all fitness levels a form of exercise that combines movement, orienteering and a nature experience. Something that can become a skill for life.
Naturpasset has its roots in the health and fitness initiatives of the 1970s. The Swedish Orienteering Federation then introduced the so-called Trim Orienteering, inspired by a Norwegian initiative, as a form of exercise without performance pressure for everyone. In the 1980s, the slogan ”Ströva utan stress” (”Explore without stress”) was introduced.
”The aim was to clearly emphasise that this was not about competition, but about exercising without thinking about the clock or performance,” Naturpasset writes on its website.
This year’s course in Nynäshamn is located in the forests of Lövhagen and offers 40 checkpoints of varying difficulty for both beginners and experienced orienteers. The course has been created by Nynäshamns Orienteering Club. The pass costs 100 kronor and can be purchased at Friskis & Svettis or at Skärgårdshotellet.
When you purchase Naturpasset, you receive an orienteering map, a punch card and information to help you get started on the course. The checkpoints are placed to provide both an orienteering challenge and a nature experience. You choose the order in which you want to visit the checkpoints yourself. The activity is suitable both for those who want to head out on their own and for those who want to participate together with others.
”Some are a little easier and some are a little harder. There are also some checkpoints that are physically demanding. These is simply something for everyone.”
Among the participants who have completed at least 30 checkpoints, a 100-krona gift card to be used in the town centre is raffled off. After completing all 40 checkpoints, participants can also enter a photography competition where this year’s theme is ”strövtåg i hembygden” (”explorations of the local area”), inspired by Gustaf Fröding’s poem of the same name.
”It is an invitation to stop and enjoy what we have around us in everyday life, close to home,” Naturpasset writes on its website.
The competitions are not mandatory and do not have to be seen as a goal. In general, Naturpasset should be seen as a fun form of exercise that also provides skills that can be useful in life, according to Nynäshamns Orienteering Club. The club also hopes that Naturpasset will contribute to a greater general interest in orienteering.
”It is very welcome to become a member of our club. We have youth training once a week and the other training sessions as well as the course of the month. Just get in touch with us and come to our training sessions,” says Mats Fröberg
With low barriers to entry and a focus on the joy of movement, Naturpasset is aimed at everyone. Regardless of age, background or physically ability. Curiosity and willingness are all that is needed.
”If I were to describe Naturpasset in three words, they would be: fun, perhaps a nature experience and… well, a little challenge too.”
