NNAS Silver Award

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

The Learning Outcomes (additional to those of the bronze award)

• Devise a strategy for a navigational stage, to break it down into ‘course’ 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 conditions.  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 toward other countryside interests like farming, forestry and conservation.

Course requirements: Must have completed the Bronze award.

Group size: Six students to one instructor.

Cost: £60 (not including accommodation)