NATIONAL NAVIGATION
AWARD SCHEME
Discovering new places and challenging yourself adds to the whole experience of outdoors activities. NNAS offers a structured incentive scheme to help achieve levels of navigation to have the confident to independently discover countryside.
​
NNAS awards are achieved in three levels; Bronze, Silver and Gold. These awards are also recognised prior learning for Mountain Training qualifications such as, Hill & Moorland Leader and Mountain Leader.
​
There is also the NNAS Tutor Award Course which is designed to cover the skills required to teach navigation. This course is also 1 CPD point for MTA, AMI & BAIML members.
​
NNAS also offers an incentive scheme called; the Outdoor Discovery Awards. Similarly this award can be achieved at three levels but at a slower pace.
Who is it for?
​
Beginner and those with some hill walking experience wanting to learn more.
​
​
This course is an ideal staring point for many Duke of Edinburgh or Ten Tors Students. This course is also perfect for D of E supervisors, photographers, cyclists or anyone look to enjoy the countryside.
​
​
Age:
​
Minimum age is 12 years old and there is no maximum.
​
A general level of fitness is required for a days walking on the moors.​
​
For under 12's please see Family Navigation Course.
​
​
Experience required:
​
No experience required.
Course Details
​
Contact time:
​
12 hours over 2 days.
Half of day one is classroom based.
​
​
Group size:
​
Max. 8 people
​
Course content:
​
-
Introduction to a variety of maps and scales,
-
Understanding map symbols and contours,
-
Grid references,
-
Orientating the map with and without a compass,
-
Matching map to ground and identifying features,
-
Choose simple navigation strategies and routes,
-
Use linear features as handrails in simple exercises,
-
Estimate distance on both map and ground,
-
Recognising navigation errors and how to relocate,
-
Awareness of the countryside and environment,
-
Equipment and safety procedures,
-
Planning and implementing simple and safe walks.
​
​
Location :
Dartmoor
​
Bespoke courses can be arranged
​
​
Course cost:
​
£120 per person
​
Outcomes of the Course
​
To be able to independently plan and carry out a safe, efficient and effective countryside or moorland walk on paths and tracks.
To have an understanding of the environment, countryside codes, access and potential hazards.
Knowledge of walking equipment, safety equipment and what to do in an emergency.
Most importantly, to be confident to enjoy getting out.
​
​
​
To get out and practise your new skills is the most important step.
​
Once you're ready to learn more the next steps would be, NNAS Silver award, Hill Skills, Mountain Skills, Basic Navigation Course, an Intermediate Navigation course or a Bespoke Navigation Course
BRONZE NNAS
​
The Bronze National Navigation Award is a two day course including training and assessment. The course will take you from relying on friends or guidebooks, to independently planning and following a simple walk on paths, tracks and linear features.
​
Who is it for?
​
People with some lowland walking experience wanting to learn intermediate navigation skills to navigate off paths and tracks for some distance.
​
​
Silver NNAS is a perfect for anyone working towards leading groups, for example; Lowland Leader, Hill & Moorland Leader or Mountain Leader Training.
​
​
A general level of fitness is required for a days walking in open moorland.
​
​
Age:
​
Minimum age is 14 years old and there is no maximum.
​
​
Experience required:
​
Basic walking experience required.
​
​
This course is the perfect progression from Bronze NNAS or a Basic Navigation Course but prior courses are not required.
Course Details
​
Contact time:
​
12 hours over 2 days.
​
​
Group size:
​
Max. 6 people
​
​
Course content:
​
-
Confident use of the skills detailed in Bronze NNAS award.
-
Plan a strategical navigation route and using tick off features to keep on course.
-
Apply the following navigation strategies; aiming off, attack points and collecting features. To use these skills in varying terrain.
-
Identify contour features.
-
Route choice and influencing factors.
-
Accurately measuring distance, using timing and pacing.
-
Relocation strategies.
-
Acurate use of a compass to follow bearings and check the direction of linear features.
-
Demonstrate the effects of weather, fatigue and physical discomfort and understand emergency procedures. Basic first aid knowledge is expected.
-
Understand countryside responsibilities, impact of walkers and access legislation.
-
Plan and implement a safe walk using the above skills.
​
​
Location :
Dartmoor
​
Bespoke courses can be arranged
​
​
Course cost:
​
£125 per person
​
Outcomes of the Course
​
To be able to independently plan and carry out a safe, efficient and effective walk with some distance off paths and tracks.
To have an understanding of more advanced compass skills and poor visibility navigation skills.
​
To have an understanding of the environment, weather, potential hazards and effects on navigation.
To know how to respond to any hazards you may encounter and what to do in an emergency.
To have the skills to relocate yourself.
Most importantly, to be confident to enjoy getting out in the countryside.
​
​
​
To get out and practise your new skills is the most important step.
​
Once you're ready to learn more the progression would be; NNAS Gold award, Mountain Training Mountain Skills, Night Navigation Course and the Mountain Training qualifications pathway.
SILVER NNAS
​
If you have some experience of hill walking but would like to go further afield, then the Silver NNAS will give you the skills to take your adventures off the paths and tracks and go cross-country using intermediate navigation skills.
Silver NNAS is the perfect progression from Bronze NNAS, however Bronze NNAS is not mandatory.
Who is it for?
​
People with experience of lowland walking wanting to fine tune advanced navigation skills.
​
​
​
A general level of fitness is required for a days walking in open moorland.
​
​
Age:
​
Minimum age is 14 years old and there is no maximum.
​
​
Experience required:
​
Walking experience required and a good understanding of the skills outlined in Bronze and Silver NNAS.
​
​
Candidates should have attended one of the following courses: Silver NNAS, Mountain Leader Training or Hill & Moorland Leader Training.
Course Details
​
Contact time:
​
12 hours over 2 days with a home paper to complete before the course.
​
​
Group size:
​
Max. 4 people
​
​
Course content:
​
-
Confident use of the skills detailed in Bronze and Silver NNAS in open countryside, forests and hills.
-
To use contours, identify landforms and utilise them as the prime method of navigation.
-
Use land features as handrails and contour features for micro navigation.
-
Accurately; Follow a route, judge distance, check progress against time, use relevant compass skills and maintain continuous map contact.
-
Use slope aspect as a method of relocation.
-
Navigate intricate terrain in reduced visibility.
-
Planning routes ahead in relation to prevailing conditions and re-plan as necessary.
-
Shortening routes, escape routes and emergency procedures.
-
Understand the effects of cold, heat, fatigue, physical discomfort and poor weather on decision making.
​
​
Location :
Dartmoor
​
Bespoke courses can be arranged
​
​
Course cost:
​
£150 per person
​
Outcomes of the Course
​
To be able to independently plan and carry out a safe, efficient and effective walk in complex areas.
To have an solid understanding of advanced compass skills and poor visibility navigation skills.
​
To have an understanding of the environment, poor weather, potential hazards, fatigue and the physical demands of terrain. Understand how these effect navigation and decision making and be able to re-plan routes if necessary.
To know how to respond to any hazards you may encounter and what to do in an emergency, including escape routes.
To have the skills to quickly identify error and relocate yourself efficiently in all visibility conditions.
Most importantly, to be confident to enjoy getting out in remote areas independently.
​
​
​
To get out and practise your new skills is the most important step.
​
The progression after NNAS Gold would be a Mountain Skills Course, Bespoke Mountain Navigation Course, Night Navigation Course, NNAS Tutor Award or the Mountain Training qualification pathway.
GOLD NNAS
​
The Gold NNAS training and assessment builds on the skills learnt in Bronze and Silver NNAS. Gold NNAS advances to skills for dealing with and identifying complex contour features, advance navigation skills to walk to small subtle contour features and quickly identifying and resolving errors.
​
Who is it for?
​
The NNAS Tutor Award enables candidates to work on NNAS courses if they are, or should become, involved in the NNAS Navigator or Outdoor Discovery Awards.
​
This workshop is aimed at anyone who is working towards or has completed one of the Mountain Training walking awards and is looking to develop their teaching skills.
​
​
​
Age:
​
Minimum age is 16 years old and there is no maximum.
​
​
​
Experience required:
​
Desire to teach navigation.
​
Course Details
​
Contact time:
​
1 Day Course from 10am till 4pm
​
​
Group size:
​
Max. 10 people
​
​
Course content:
​
-
The course is a mixture of indoor and outdoor practical sessions and offers the opportunity for candidates to discuss their own methodology as well as learning new techniques from others.
​
​
Location:
Dartmoor, Snowdonia & Lake District
​
Bespoke courses can be arranged
​
​
Course cost:
​
£75 per person
​
Outcomes of the Course
​
For those without a higher hill or mountain walking qualification, but with experience and interest in the outdoors, they may be authorised to help teach on a Bronze award under the guidance of a registered NNAS Course Director.
They are called Bronze Tutors.
​
Undertaking the Tutor Award does not automatically mean a person is a Bronze Tutor. An application must be made to the NNAS office by the Course Director wishing to utilise the person on their Bronze Navigator courses. Bronze Tutors must be under supervision by a Course Director at all times.
To be a course director of NNAS Navigator awards you must be working for a registered course Provider, have done the Tutor Award and hold one of the outdoor qualifications accepted by NNAS.
Please see the NNAS Website for further information.
​
This Workshop will also credit you with 1 CPD point for MTA, AMI & BAIML Members.
​
​
​
The progression after NNAS Tutor Award would be a Bespoke Mountain Navigation Course, Night Navigation Course, or the Mountain Training qualification pathway.
TUTOR AWARD​
​
Do you teach or have a passion to teach navigation? The NNAS Tutor Award is a one day course with ideas and progressions for teaching the subject from beginner to expert.
​
Who is it for?
​
This scheme is aimed at all ages and abilities looking to access Navigation at a slower pace.
​
A great course to do as a family, school or youth group.
​
Level 3 Award is a useful stepping stone towards Bronze Duke of Edinburgh.
​
​
Age:
​
We would recommend children to be 7 years old and above.
Contact us for children who are younger.
​
​
Experience required:
​
No experience required.
​
​
ODA is supported by Children's University. Crag 2 Mountain are an approved Children's University Learning Destination.
Course Details
​
Contact time:
​
Variable.
​
​
Course Content:
​
​Level One:
-
Make simple maps of interior and exterior building features.
-
Undertake journeys around the inside or outside of a building using a map.
-
Orientate the map at different locations.
​
Level Two:
-
Follow a defined route around a large school grounds or small park using prominent paths or tracks.
-
Orientate the map against handrails and major point features at regular intervals.
-
Understand the use of basic map symbols.
-
Discover and investigate points of interest during the journey.
​
Level Three:
-
Plan and follow a journey around a large areas using prominent paths or tracks.
-
Identify prominent collecting features on map and ground.
-
Discover and investigate points of interest during the journey.
-
Understand basic walking safety issues.
​
​
Location :
​
Dartmoor, School Grounds or a location to suit your group
Outcomes of the Course
​
To encourage participants to enjoy being outside exploring and discovering new places.
​
To encourage participants to start understanding maps.
​
To increase awareness of their surroundings and environmental awareness.
​
To be aware of the basics to a safe walk.
​
On completion of the Three Awards, participants will be at the standard ready to complete Bronze NNAS.
​
​
​
To encourage children to get outside and practise their new learnt skills.
​
After achieving Level Three Award, participants will be ready to achieve Bronze NNAS.
​
Alternatively, a Family Navigation Course, Mountain Training Hill Skills, Basic Navigation Course (dependant on age) or Bespoke Navigation Course.
OUTDOOR DISCOVERY AWARD
​
The focus of the Outdoor Discovery Awards is to encourage participants to explore their surrounding areas using simple maps such as street maps, pectoral park maps and orienteering maps. There is a gradual learning progression via three levels with certificates and badges available for achieving participants.