National Navigation Awards Scheme

The National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) is supported by Mountain Leader Training UK (MLTUK), the British Orienteering Federation (BOF), and Sports Leaders UK and is a progressive scheme based on three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Participants may enter the scheme at any Level Bronze, Silver or Gold depending on their experience.

As a NNAS registered training provider, the Old Vicarage Adventure Centre Ltd, deliver Bronze and Silver NNAS awards, offering skill development and assessment to participants.

Bronze NNAS Award –  This is a course for people with limited or no navigation experience. On successful completion of the course, participants will be able to plan and follow simple walks in the countryside mainly on paths and tracks. For full syllabus of the Bronze NNAS Award see below.

Course Dates

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 May 2012 

Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 August 2012

Saturday 22 and Saturday 23 September 2012

Price

£100.00 plus vat (£120.00 incl)

Pre-requisities

None, however, you will need to dress appropriately for hill walking in the South Shropshire Hills which includes the Clee Hill and bring a packed lunch for each day of the course.

Course Overview

The 2 day course starts at 09:00 hrs on Day 1 and we aim to finish at around 17:00hrs. Day 2 start time is slightly later at 09:30 and we will aim to finish at 16:30hrs. The cost includes assessment and certification to successful candidates.  The course is a combination of some classroom work and some hill walking. 

Please click here to download a Booking Form for the above course.

Silver NNAS Award – This course offers the opportunity to develop skills and confidence further and builds on the basic skills of the bronze award and adds skills required to navigate to features and places some distance from paths and tracks.  For full syllabus of the Silver NNAS Award see below.

Course Dates

Tbc

Price

Tbc

Pre-requisities

Up to NNAS Bronze level

NB: None of these awards are to be used as a leadership qualification of any kind. NNAS formal recognition only confirms navigational skill level.

Bronze NNAS Award – The Learning Outcomes
Understand the nature of a map as a two dimensional plan.
Understand how to use map symbols and scales, on a variety of maps.
Take a 6 figure grid reference for any given position and also locate such a reference on the map.
Orientate the map with and without a compass.
Use the orientated map to identify land features and indicate direction of travel.
Choose simple navigation strategies and routes
Use linear features (e.g. paths and tracks) as handrails in simple navigation exercises.
Estimate distance on both map and ground.
Using a basic understanding of contours, match major landforms like hills and valleys to their map representation.
Plan a safe, suitable walk.
Relocate using simple techniques on paths and other handrails.
Understand access rights and responsibilities.
Demonstrate an awareness of local and national access issues and access legislation.
Demonstrate knowledge of the Countryside Code, and of procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency.


Silver NNAS Award - The learning outcomes: (additional to those of the Bronze Award)
Devise a strategy for a navigational stage, to break it down into 'coarse' and 'fine' navigation and to use clear features en route to check that they are 'on course'.
Understand and apply the following components of a navigational strategy 'aiming off', 'attack points', 'collecting features', simplifying navigation, and apply them in varying terrain.
Demonstrate an understanding of contour features, both large and small, on the map and on the ground.
Demonstrate an understanding of the navigation physical and factors affecting route choice.
Judge distance accurately on the map and on the ground.
Plan a safe walk or route involving Silver award skills and strategies.
Employ simple relocation strategies when lost.
Use a compass to follow accurate bearings and to check the direction of footpaths or other linear features on both map and ground.
Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of fatigue and physical discomfort brought on by navigating in demanding countryside and/or extreme weather condition. Knowledge of basic first aid is also expected.
Demonstrate knowledge and application of the Countryside Code and current access legislation as for the Bronze level together with an appreciation of basic environmental factors in mixing 'man with nature' (e.g. footpath erosion and methods of dealing with it), and responsibilities towards other countryside interests like farming, forestry and conservation.