First, find a suitable event. For a beginner, a colour coded event makes a good start. Many people are introduced by friends to the sport but for those who come across the sport more by accident, it is not so easy to find an event.
There is a growing amount of infromation on the Internet. One good source is The British Orienteering Page
The regular participant has several ways of knowing what is going on
Many clubs run 'come and try it' events every autumn and will publicise these more widely.
Once you have found an event, then the next challenge is to find it. Often, you will have a map reference marking where the car park will be. Also, it is normal to put up signs to an event from the nearest main road.
At a colour coded event, you have to register on the course of your choice. Registration in our area normally opens 30 minutes (often 10 a.m.) before the first start time (often 10-30 a.m.).
Once you are safely parked, the next step is to locate registration (normally in a line of cars) and to have a look at the list of courses on offer. At a colour coded event, these range form short and easy to long and difficult. It is a good idea to start with a relatively easy course and then to progress to more ambitious targets depending on how you get on.
At registration, you are given a start time (these are normally at one or two minute intervals so that each starter begins their course alone), a control card, a control description sheet, a blank map and an indication of how long it takes to get to the start.
You will see the regulars getting dressed for the occasion - if you decide to take up the sport, it is worth investing in some specialised gear. Once you are no longer on the simplest courses, you will find yourself going across country rather than on paths and you will find that you need shoes that grip and clothing which does not retain water (which comes from several sources - the sky, wet trees, streams, marshes etc).
Follow the signs to the start. Once there, the procedure is simple - competitors are called up 2 or 3 minutes before their start time. Normally, the control card has a stub attached to it and these are collected at the start (then matched later on to the completed control card as a safety check that you have returned).
Then it's off when the whistle is blown ....to copy down the controls on your course from a master map and then out into the unknown!!! Will I find the first control? Of course you will.
Good luck!!! See you next time!!