Editing Orienteering (section)

==Governing bodies==
===International===
At international level, the [[International Orienteering Federation]] (IOF)<ref name=iof_about_us>{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?/iof2006/iof/about_us
 |title        = About us
 |publisher    = International Orienteering Federation
 |access-date   = 2008-08-11
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080802131135/http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?%2Fiof2006%2Fiof%2Fabout_us
 |archive-date = 2008-08-02
 |url-status     = dead
}}</ref> defines rules and guidelines<ref name=iof-rules1>{{cite web |url=http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?/iof2006/document_library/rules_and_guidelines |title=Rules and Guidelines |publisher=International Orienteering Federation |access-date=2008-09-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925141301/http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?%2Fiof2006%2Fdocument_library%2Frules_and_guidelines |archive-date=September 25, 2008 }}</ref> which [[Sport governing body|govern]] four orienteering sports: [[foot orienteering]], [[mountain bike orienteering]], [[Ski-orienteering|ski orienteering]], and [[trail orienteering]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?/iof2006/iof/about_us |title=About us |access-date=2008-05-26 |publisher=International Orienteering Federation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725034421/http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?%2Fiof2006%2Fiof%2Fabout_us |archive-date=2008-07-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is based in Sweden<ref>{{cite web|url=https://orienteering.sport/iof/governance-and-organisation/iof-office/|title=IOF Office|access-date=2022-07-25|publisher=International Orienteering Federation|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220725105746/https://orienteering.sport/iof/governance-and-organisation/iof-office/|archive-date=2022-07-25}}
</ref> and it claims on its website to aim to "spread the sport of orienteering, to promote its development and to create and maintain an attractive world event programme."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?/iof2006/iof/vision_and_values |title=Vision and values |access-date=2008-05-26 |publisher=International Orienteering Federation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725034611/http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?%2Fiof2006%2Fiof%2Fvision_and_values |archive-date=2008-07-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since 1977 the IOF has been recognised by the [[International Olympic Committee|IOC]].<ref name=iof_pastpresent>{{cite web|url=http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?/iof2006/iof/past_present|title=Past & Present|publisher=International Orienteering Federation|access-date=2008-09-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802131200/http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?%2Fiof2006%2Fiof%2Fpast_present|archive-date=2008-08-02}}</ref>

===National===
<!--Country/nation. Note UK is one nation comprising four countries-->
{{See also category|National members of the International Orienteering Federation|l1=International Orienteering Federation members}}

There are governing bodies for most of the individual nations that are represented in the sport of orienteering. These national bodies are the rule-making body for that nation. For example, the [[British Orienteering Federation]] is the national governing body for the [[United Kingdom]]. The federation was founded in 1967 and it is made up of 13 constituent associations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/about/index.php|title=About British Orienteering|access-date=2008-05-25|publisher=British Orienteering Federation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127105559/http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/about/index.php|archive-date=2008-01-27}}</ref> For the [[United States]], the national governing body is [[Orienteering USA]].

===Regional===
Most nations have some form of regional governing bodies. These are not rule-making bodies but are there to assist in coordinating clubs within that region, e.g., they may allocate dates so that clubs do not clash with their events.

===Local===
{{See also|Category:Orienteering clubs|l1=Orienteering clubs}}

Clubs are usually formed at a local level and affiliated to their national governing body. It is clubs who put on events usually open to all-comers. Clubs may also put on practice, training, and social events.
Open clubs are open to anyone and there is usually no restriction on joining them.
Closed clubs restrict their membership to specific groups. For example, BAOC (British Army Orienteering Club)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baoc.org.uk/ |title= BAOC Online |access-date=2008-09-28 |publisher=baoc.org.uk }}</ref> has restrictions on who may join, principally British Army personnel.

===Related sports===
* The [[International Rogaining Federation]] [[sports governing body|governs]] [[rogaining]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rogaining.com/ |title= International Rogaining Federation |access-date=2008-10-28 |publisher=www.rogaining.com }}</ref>
* Separate organizations govern [[Mounted orienteering|competitive mounted orienteering]] in the United States and Europe (and the two sports are dissimilar).
* The [[International Amateur Radio Union]] [[sports governing body|governs]] [[amateur radio direction finding]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaru.org/|title=International Amateur Radio Union|publisher=International Amateur Radio Union|access-date=2008-11-13}}</ref>