NNAS Courses in Snowdonia North Wales

National Navigation Awards Scheme is a nationaly recognised, structured and certificated navigation awards scheme for all ages. Its great for those who are totaly new to the use of a map and compass as well as those who are already fairly competant. The courses are also ideal for teachers and youth group leaders who may be assisting with the supervision of groups in a lowland hill or mountain area.

On completing each level of the awards scheme you will receive a certificate and badge.

If you already have some experience of navigation and feel you are at Bronze or Silver Level standard then it may be possible to go straight to Silver or Gold Level, simply contact us to provide details of your experience.

The Gold level course has a 2 day training module with a seperate 1 day assessment. There must be a period of consolidation between training and assessment in order for you to practice and perfect your navigation techniques. Gold level navigation is at a level similar to the standards for Mountain Leader.

All courses are priced as non-residential.

Bronze NNAS Award, 2 days including assessment £100pp

On completion of this award, participants will be able to plan and follow simple walks in the countryside mainly on paths and tracks.

Syllabus – 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.
bronze course content

SILVER NNAS AWARD, 2 days including assessment £120pp

On completion of this award participants will be able to plan and follow walks in the countryside away from paths and tracks.

Syllabus – 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.
silver course content

GOLD NNAS AWARD

2 days training course £150pp.

1 day assessment £90pp

On completion of this award, participants will be able to plan and follow routes in any open countryside, forest, or hill environment.

Syllabus – The learning outcomes:

• Show confidence in the use of the skills detailed for the Bronze and Silver awards in open countryside, forests and hill environments
• Demonstrate the use of contours, to identify landforms (e.g. hilltops, valleys, spurs, re-entrants and knolls) and utilise them as the prime method of navigation. Demonstrate use of ridges and valleys as reliable handrails and the size and relationship of contour features, (e.g. a series of knolls) and use them for micro navigation to specific locations.
• Demonstrate the use of distance judgement, compass skills and continuous contact (by frequent checking) in complicated areas. This involves the use of both map to ground and ground to map techniques, the selection of appropriate techniques for each situation, and the integration of these into a navigation strategy.
• Demonstrate the ability to plan a safe walk or route in open country in line with set criteria of duration, difficulty and objectives. This must involve “Gold” skills and strategies and may be used by the candidate for practice prior to assessment if appropriate. • Demonstrate an understanding of the special physical and navigation demands posed by hill and moorland terrain, poor weather conditions, daylight hours and the effects of fatigue and discomfort on decision making and execution of a selected route. This includes awareness of the effects of heat and cold.

Guidance Notes - Gold Training

• The candidate must achieve confidence in the application of the gold level syllabus outlined above.
• Training routes will use a variety of progressively more complicated terrain to allow practise of continuous contact using map to ground and ground to map techniques.
• Attention must also be paid to the candidate’s ability to use large contour features like ridges, valleys or spurs as a means of locating smaller features e.g. following a long valley up towards a small marsh location at its head could give the attack point strategy a contour dimension. A ridge route to a summit could be the best choice rather than a direct approach up a steep and rocky hillside.
• Practice terrain should be chosen to allow the application of route choice and flexible decision making when circumstances demand it (e.g. bad weather or fitness/ability strategies and escape routes)
• Navigation in poor visibility i.e. mist or darkness is wherever possible to be part of the training and / or assessment of the Gold award.
• The duration of training at Gold level should be a minimum of 12 hours and would normally cover all aspects of the syllabus
• Maximum ratio 1:4

gold course content

A thorough appraisal of all course content and requirements

To learn more about NNAS please see their website

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