Navigation

We are an approved Course Provider for the 'National Navigational Award Scheme' at Bronze and Silver Level. This means we are able to Train and Assess to a Nationally Recognised standard. On completion of the Training and Assessment, Certificates and Badges will be issued to successful candidates.

The Bronze weekend will broadly follow the following structure.
The ratio will be 1:6 or less.

The first part of the day will involve some practical work, looking at navigational tools through a ’Powerpoint’ Presentation, as well as personal tuition. We'll spend the rest of day outside, on a series of practical exercises designed to get you using your map properly. Areas that will be covered include map detail, timing, pacing, ticking off, setting maps, linear navigation etc.

Another practical day consolidating the skills learnt yesterday. We'll also spend time with the compass, taking bearings on the map and following them on the ground and simple point-to-point navigation. The Assessment will be on-going throughout the day.

The following is taken from the Bronze nnas Syllabus:

a. Understanding the nature of a map as a two dimensional plan;
b. Understanding map symbols, scales and the underlying principle of the magnetic compass including cardinal points. Ordnance Survey maps at scales of 1:25,000 and 1:50,000, Harvey’s Walkers maps, specialist maps from organisations like the British Waterways Board or Orienteering maps - or a selection of these - can be covered here depending on circumstances and resources. The part played by grid references and magnetic variation will depend on the type of map being used;
c. Orientating the map to the ground with and without a compass and using the ‘set’ map to identify features on map and ground, to pinpoint current map position and to make route decisions;
d. The use of linear features (e.g. paths and streams) as handrails in simple navigational exercises using the thumb to indicate position on the map;
e. The ability to judge approximate distances on both map and ground;
f. An appreciation of the relationship between land forms and other distinct objects as indicated on the map. This will involve a basic understanding of the contour system and the ability to match major land forms like hills and valleys to their map images;
g. The ability to plan a safe walk or course in wild country in line with set criteria on duration, difficulty, and objectives;
h. The application of relevant safety procedures to navigation including simple relocation on paths;
j. Knowledge of how Rights of Way are shown on maps and the practicalities of their use in the countryside in harmony with the Country Code and access constraints.

COST: £100.00 PER PERSON
DATES TO SUIT - PLEASE CONTACT US WITH YOUR REQUIREMENTS

The Silver weekend will broadly follow the following structure.
The ratio will be 1:6 or less.

This course is intended for those who have attended a bronze weekend or have been navigating confidently with a map for years .... be aware though, experience has shown that even these people can learn a great deal from a Bronze weekend.

This first session will quickly re-introduce some of the essential elements, and will involve some practical work, looking at navigational tools through a ’Powerpoint’ Presentation, as well as personal tuition. We'll spend the rest of the day outside, on a series of practical exercises designed to get you using your compass properly. Point to point navigation, aiming off, use of ground features and other skills will be introduced in a structured way throughout the day. We'll finish the walk after dark to give you an idea of night navigation.

a. The ability to ‘break down’ a navigational stage into coarse and fine navigation i.e. the coarse section could easily involve easy handrail navigation along a path while the fine section could demand accurate map reading and use of compass to execute a subtle route where no clear linear feature exists.;
b. The ability to choose an appropriate attack point as an obvious starting point for the fine sections of a stage and to use clear features en route to check that the navigator is on course;
c. Understanding the use of navigational strategies, like aiming off to hit a chosen point on a linear feature e.g. bridge over a stream; or traffic light system - green section-easy: orange section- be careful: red- extreme concentration and care, to adjust concentration levels to the difficulty of the navigation.;
d. Understanding the physical and navigational factors affecting the choice of a route e.g. height gain or loss, as in Naismith’s rule. Severity of terrain or vegetation, degree of difficulty of map reading and execution, and the ability to decide on an effective route in the light of the experience and navigational experience of the participants;
e. The ability to judge distance accurately e.g. by step-counting between given points.;
f. The ability to plan a safe walk or course involving Level 2 skills and strategies as listed-recording details on a route card. This plan may be used for assessment purposes if appropriate;
g. Understanding the practice of simple relocation strategies when lost e.g. making for the nearest known point for precise location or choosing a safe route to a linear feature;
h. The ability to use a compass for accurate bearings and the checking of footpath direction, including an introduction to different types of compasses and their workings;
i. Understanding of the effects of fatigue and physical discomfort brought on by navigational activity in open countryside and/or extreme weather conditions, including recognition of the symptoms of hypothermia and hyperthermia and their treatment. Attention should be paid to demands on equipment and effects on decision making as well as basic physiological and psychological considerations;
j. An understanding of the formal and de facto rules governing access to the countryside as for Level 1.

COST £110.00 PER PERSON
DATES TO SUIT - PLEASE CONTACT US WITH YOUR REQUIREMENTS