22nd - 23rd September 2012 - Bronze Nav Training

Bronze National Navigation Award (NNAS) Course 

Want to learn to read maps and plan your own walks? - then the National Navigation Award Courses are for you! Led by our friendly, highly qualified instructors, the National Navigation Award courses are a range of practical courses aimed at enabling walkers to gain the necessary skills to navigate in a variety of terrain.

By the end of the course you should be able to demonstrate competence in the following areas:

•    Understanding the nature of a map as a two dimensional plan.
•    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 Walkers maps, specialist maps from organisations like the British Waterways Board or Orienteering maps - or a selection of these - will 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.
•    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.