Orienteering Adventures

"It's children's television... but not as you know it." Hörður Juhannisson's Orienteering Adventures, also known simply as Orienteering Adventures, is a Dryicoran-Laiorian reality TV programme broadcast on DTV and LTV since May 2016. Presented by Hörður Juhannisson, the show chronicles certain camps within the Scout Movement in south-western England.

The show is rigged up with hidden cameras all around the campsite, received by DTV's camera operators elsewhere on the site. The show is not controlled by DTV or Juhannisson, and no-one knows the cameras are there except producers, certain organisers and the host. Juhannisson has said that "the reason for the attraction of Orienteering Adventures isn't down to any cheeky production aspects, but the satisfaction of both the production not being controlled by the producers, and of knowing what our kids get up to when us parents aren't watching."

The show also broadcasts occasional specials called Literally Orienteering Adventures, which chronicle Scout hikes organised outside of camps. Originally broadcast live, the COVID-19 pandemic forced this to change, and the change became permanent after the pandemic. Orienteering Adventures Xseries are those not broadcast on Scout camp but for school residentials, for example. Many fans prefer the X series, since the cast changes completely each series, instead of a select few who will be there for most camps. In May 2023, the two broadcasters surprisingly commissioned Orienteering Adventures U, chronicling Hörður at university events, to be aired exclusively in July of that year.

Since Series 3 all shows have come with a warning of possible foul language, as the programme is uncontrolled, and can be very unpredictable. Since that series, where filming is scheduled to be uninteresting, LTV have organised regular "galas" with a live audience watching the show and giving their own opinions. A gala is at least nightly, and there are also galas for X-series. The night before the premiere, there is also a 1-hour "Preparations" programme showing how the camp was set up.

An X-series was planned for the summer of 2020 in Barcelona, Spain, however due to the, this was called off in March. The show was axed soon after - as Juhannisson explained later on, it was due to the massive insurance costs the show incurred every year for both broadcasters proving problematic. The show was slated to come back in 2022, however it was cancelled at the last minute. Despite this, DTV and LTV announced a fourth X-series would be produced in February 2023 in, and the possibility was raised that the original series would make its long-awaited comeback in June. Its comeback eventually came in late April.

The show regularly uses music during the show as a soundtrack, and occasionally the exposure the show gives makes its records become surprise hits. A good example is  by. A 2006 Spanish entry, it received only one point from the Dryicorans and placed 21st on the night, but enjoyed a surprise renaissance after being featured as the backing music at nighttime, during the XIV series set in Madrid, and went into the Top 5 on the Dryicoran and Laiorian music charts. The same happened that same series to by  and.

The show tends to be broadcast between 6am and 11pm local time, which often forces normal TV schedules to swap channels. Generally LTV and DTV keep their news and suchlike on the main channel, which forces OA itself to move.

On an international series, it is often subtitled in the local language and sold to a local network, which, depending on how well the show rates, buys the rights for the next series. This was the case firstly with in France, which aired Series 5 in the autumn of 2017 and then the main show from 2019; then later  in Germany, which bought Series 13 and 14 after the XIII series became a success; and  in Spain, which aired the XIV series in June 2023 after airing Series 14 and the U series live. When the broadcaster airs a live feed, the TFX and Vox feeds organise their own galas, while Cuatro airs the Laiorian Spanish-language feed.

Hörður Juhannisson left the series after hosting his 100th Literally Orienteering Adventures edition in October 2023, and then his final series one week later, in London, with the show ending with him. In a November 2023 interview, he revealed that the show would have been extremely difficult to keep a secret after a change of host, and would pay compensation to those in the show.

In December 2023, DTV and LTV announced Orienteering Adventures: The Game, a reality game show remake of the show, with Hörður Juhannisson returning to host a version per country involved.

Format
The show uses various camera angles and high production values to display life on a Scout camp in south-west England (with occasional foreign trips such as France in 2017, Germany in 2019 and Spain in 2023). The show does not allow producer intervention, so the appeal of the cast develops naturally. Participants do not know (except for Hörður and certain camp organisers) that they are being filmed, so it is "as much of a documentary as it is a reality show", as Hörður once put it. It also provides development for DTV's automated translation subtitles, which have become increasingly stronger throughout the programme's run.

The show is broadcast most of the day (originally 24/7 during the camp). The decision not to broadcast only the highlights was taken very late into the show's development (which had been ongoing since 2010), with Hörður saying that the idea of making it a highlights-only show à la  didn't actually appeal to DTV and LTV as much, with both suggesting that clearing out the schedules was far more effective.

For the first five series, Hörður had a "partner" he would walk around campsite and enjoy working with for the camp, who changed each series. For the first two series, the partner knew of the programme's existence, however from Series 3 the partner didn't know; and Hörður no longer knows about (aside from himself) who knows about the programme being filmed.

With the exception of the x and U series, many of the cast members stay the same across series, allowing viewers to establish a connection with them. Additionally, the fact that cast members change much more during the x and U series also allows the programme's viewers to get used to a new set of cast members each series as on regular reality shows.

The show does not receive any preferential treatment due to its TV status, and insists that Hörður is treated the same as any other applicant during vetting. He has also been turned down for camps in the past. The producers do not choose the cast members. Starting Series 14, Hörður having his own tent has meant that he can give his own thoughts on proceedings more frequently. It has been dubbed the " of reality shows".

x Series
The x Series was commissioned to televise camps without any connection to the Scout Movement. Hörður said upon the first's commission in 2018 "They have a slightly different atmosphere to the original OA series. We filmed the first of these in 2015 as a pilot if the main series got picked up: the 2016 one was also a pilot just to make sure it worked." Many fans of the show have said that the x series are better than the original, as the new cast members every series make for a revolving door of cast members to get used to, instead of where the original in which many who started with Hörður in the Scout Movement regularly reappeared in the series.

The series are listed here in this order as LTV and DTV list them on their websites: the two pilot series were included as the first two (similar to the Star Wars chronology, where the first films released were ordered in the series' titling by when they were set).

Hörður confirmed while preparing for the fifteenth edition of the main series that he had hoped for another one of these in February 2024, however his application was turned down.

U Series
The U Series chronicled Hörður at university residentials. Two series were commissioned, with Hörður later confirming rumours abounding in August that a third series was planned due to "a sudden change of plans" but his promised invitation never came. He also confirmed it would have been in.

List of closing themes per series
The show changes its closing theme, which is attached to a montage of the highlights from each series, every series.

In-jokes
Occasionally, producers have hidden little Easter eggs for the cast indicating they're on a TV show, but have never found them. These don't happen very often due to a high risk of them being spotted, but especially on overseas trips, OA producers don't like to pass up the chance.

Reception
Orienteering Adventures is often regarded as a very polarising show: either a viewer has a particular liking for the show or they particularly hate it. It has received many plaudits for its brutal accuracy in what it depicts, and for its extremely high production values and camera shots. It is also praised for the lack of producer intervention, allowing the show and its cast's appeal to develop naturally. It also provided development for DTV's automated translation subtitles, which have become increasingly more accurate throughout the programme's run.

However, it has also received many criticisms. The main issue attracting criticism is that the vast majority of those on the show do not know they are being filmed, and producers have had to interpret and adhere to numerous laws regarding child protection and privacy. For example, nobody's full name is revealed on the show, and personal details are always kept secret. The scout group Hörður and his compatriots belong to is also kept a secret, as is the exact location of each camp. Particularly as aspects of the show - the events unfolding and the gala - are live, this can sometimes be difficult to do. Additionally, producers do not censor language or behaviour: all series since the third in 2016 have been preceded by a warning of foul language and obscene references. Hörður himself has also attracted controversy, and rarely comes out of even a good series in a perfect light.

The first series of the show was originally advertised as "It's children's television... but not as you know it." The first series was dubbed by a Laiorian Standard reviewer as "a disgusting real-life , with so much money thrown at it from a public service broadcaster, but the unpredictability makes for oddly thrilling TV - LTV might have unexpectedly struck gold." Another reviewer said, "This is true reality television - real-life reactions, it's a live soap opera/drama stripped for four days, three nights that's simply unmissable television."

The xiv series in 2023 was singled out for having many different plot lines, which led to some - incorrect - accusations of producer interference, something that the show, at all costs, tries to avoid. Of particular note was the inclusion of the first transgender cast member, which caused some controversy with other members, however the vast majority of the cast was supportive. This positive representation of a group traditionally marginalised in Laioria proved popular with many viewers. After the series, Juhannisson confirmed in an interview that the producers do not get to choose who attends camp, and it was "just the luck of the draw" that the series had such a diverse cast. He also confirmed that OA doesn't take precedence when leaders decide who attends, and that he has been turned down for camps before. Hörður is to leave the show in 2023.

Hörður Juhannisson himself was criticised on the first U series for apparently trying to build up ratings by lowering viewer expectations. He often mentioned he felt the second series would make far better television than the first, due to the itinerary for the Southampton event not being as lecture-heavy, but the series was a surprise success, particularly due to the dynamics between contestants which Hörður felt would be lacking in the first series, and viewers would not have a chance to experience the interaction between the cast which makes the show.

Orienteering Adventures: The Game
In December 2023, after the main series' cancellation, DTV and LTV announced Orienteering Adventures: The Game (working title), a reality-based remake with versions in both Dryicor and Laioria and hosted by Hörður Juhannisson,

Teams are grouped into teams of two and each series begins with Juhannisson announcing its location. Teams are provided with maps, compasses, and limited supplie and must navigate through a designated course, locating checkpoints marked on the map while facing natural obstacles, weather challenges, and unexpected twists. At various checkpoints, teams encounter adventure tasks that test their physical and mental prowess. Tasks may include rock climbing, zip-lining, foraging for supplies, or solving puzzles to unlock the next stage of the course. In "time trial" tasks, teams are ranked based on their navigation speed and successful completion of adventure tasks. Time trials add a competitive edge, encouraging teams to strategise and balance speed with accuracy.

In longer adventures, teams must set up campsites, showcasing their survival skills and adaptability to outdoor living. Teams occasionally receive a wildcard challenge that alters their navigation route, adding an element of unpredictability to the competition. Teams that fall behind in time trials or fail to complete challenges face elimination. The eliminated teams bid farewell to the competition, sharing their most memorable experiences.

In the final episode, the top teams compete in an epic final adventure that combines all aspects of their skills. The first team to successfully reach the final checkpoint is crowned the champions of the series, and win a combination of cash prizes, outdoor adventure gear, and an all-expenses-paid expedition to a renowned orienteering destination.