Our navigation courses have been designed to be progressive and in line with the National Navigation Award Scheme guidance and criteria allowing you to start at a point that suits your level of knowledge and experience. We offer National Awards at Bronze and Silver.
Bronze National Navigation Award
The Bronze NNAS award training and assessment course is a practical hands on award designed to give people with little or no navigation experience the skills to confidently navigate in lowland countryside using paths, tracks and other linear features, basic map interpretation and compass work. This course is suitable for supervisors and assessors working with Bronze DofE groups. This course is run over 2 days.
Course Content
- Navigate using a variety of maps and scales.
- Use 4 and 6 figure grid references with worded descriptions to define the position of a map feature and to locate a feature on the ground.
- Orientate the map using handrails, obvious point features and major landforms.
- Use linear features (e.g. paths, tracks, clear boundaries) as handrails in simple navigation exercises.
- Relate prominent landforms such as large hills and valleys to corresponding contour information on the map.
- Orientate the map by aligning a compass needle against grid north and be aware that magnetic variation causes an inaccuracy.
- Use an orientated map to confirm the direction of travel.
- Use clearly identifiable features to confirm position along the route and to recognise when the target has been overshot.
- Measure horizontal distance on the map and estimate distance on the ground using timing, pacing and simple visual judgements e.g.100m.
- Plan and implement simple routes and navigation strategies based on the above skills.
- Recognise a navigation error within a few minutes and apply simple relocation techniques using handrails and prominent features.
- Demonstrate an awareness of local and national access issues, access legislation, personal responsibilities and the Countryside Code.
- Demonstrate appropriate knowledge of walking equipment, safety equipment and emergency procedures.
In House Courses & Hosting
An in house course can be a great option to help reduce costs and get everyone trained at the same time. Alternatively you could host a course and save money on your booking. For more information please contact us.
Dates
TBC
Venue Information
TBC
Price: £90.00 + VAT
For more information please contact us.
Silver National Navigation Award
The Silver NNAS award training and assessment course is designed to give people who have the skills required for the Bronze NNAS award for navigating in lowland terrain or have already attended our NNAS Bronze Award course the skills to confidently navigate in the countryside using the skills along with the additional skills required to navigate to features and places some distance from paths and tracks. Accurate compass work is required and an ability to use appropriate navigation techniques to go cross-country, e.g. choosing appropriate attack point. This course is suitable for DofE supervisors and assessors with the appropriate pre requisite skills who will be working with Silver DofE groups. This course is run over 2 days.
Course Content
- Utilise the skills and techniques of the Bronze Award in the context of Silver Award navigation strategies.
- Relate small hills, small valleys, prominent re-entrants and prominent spurs to their corresponding map contours. Use prominent hills, ridges, spurs and valleys as a means of navigation in good visibility.
- Use landforms and point features to orientate the map and as collecting and catching features.
- Use a compass to: Accurately follow a bearing; aim off; check the direction of handrails and other linear features.
- Deviate briefly from a compass bearing to avoid obstacles or difficult terrain and accurately regain the original line.
- Use back bearings to check route following accuracy.
- Measure distance on the ground in varied, open terrain using timing and pacing and make practical allowances for any discrepancies.
- Simplify legs using coarse navigation, attack points and fine navigation.
- Recognise dangerous or difficult terrain on map and ground.
- Plan and implement navigational strategies based on the above skills.
- Maintain route finding accuracy in poor visibility or darkness.
- Recognise a navigation error within a few minutes and apply appropriate relocation techniques.
- Understand how personal fitness and nature of terrain affect route choice both at the planning stage and on the ground.
- Understand the potential consequences of fatigue and physical discomfort in demanding terrain and/or extreme weather conditions.
- Select appropriate clothing, equipment and first aid items for walking in open country in all weather conditions.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the Countryside Code, current access legislation and the environmental impact of walkers on the countryside.
- Understand the responsibilities of walkers towards other countryside interests such as farming, forestry and conservation.
In House Courses & Hosting
An in house course can be a great option to help reduce costs and get everyone trained at the same time. Alternatively you could host a course and save money on your booking. For more information please contact us.
Dates
TBC
Venue Information
TBC
Price: £100.00 + VAT
For more information please contact us.