The Silver NNAS level course develops the skills you’ve picked up on a bronze course, introducing you to more complex compass navigation in more difficult terrain. We follow the syllabus of the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS), a structured way to learn navigation skills. The weekend is ideal for anyone who has attended the bronze weekend or wishes to improve on their exisiting map and compass skills.

Saturday – We start the day with an review of current skills and the syllabus; meet your fellow course members and to compare your current bronze skills with the silver levels skills. Working outside, in small groups, on a series of practical exercises designed to get you using your compass properly. Point to point navigation, aiming off, use of ground features and other skills will be introduced in a structured way throughout the day. The plan is to come off the hill as darkness is gathering to give you some practical experience of navigating in falling light.

Sunday – Another practical day spent reinforcing yesterdays learning points and introducing some more advanced techniques. This day will also encompass an assessment – although this is low key and should always be viewed as additional training and support rather than a test!

Silver NNAS Award 

The learning outcomes: (additional to those of the Bronze Award) – for more details visit the NNAS website.

• 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.