NNAS | Silver Award
National Navigation Award Scheme
The National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) is a personal performance, non-competitive, incentive scheme for all ages. At Astounding Adventures we specialise in navigation training and are delighted to be registered as approved providers of both NNAS training and assessment courses.
NNAS Silver Award
The NNAS Silver Award builds upon the Bronze Award, adding to the participants knowledge of navigating in the outdoors; it also prepares students for the Gold Award. On completion of this award participants will be able to plan and follow walks in the countryside away from paths and tracks.
Syllabus and learning outcomes
- Show confidence in the use of the skills detailed for the Bronze Award in open countryside, forests and hill environments
- 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
Assessment
The candidates will be assessed on their ability to plan an appropriate route and navigate using a variety of navigation strategies such as aiming off, attack points, collecting features, simplifying navigational legs and choosing appropriate routes.
- The assessment route would normally include a number of distinct contour features which require the navigator to use a wide range of navigational strategies
- The assessment route would normally use a variety of countryside to require choice of route, having regard to the effect of terrain, etc
- The practical assessment will be undertaken over a distance of 5-8km
- Practical assessment will be supplemented by questions to the candidate. Candidates will demonstrate their ability to plan a route, and their understanding of the interaction between the land, countryside users and conservation. This will be carried out both orally or and utilising a short multiple choice test.
Fits in with the Duke of Edinburgh's Silver Award programme
NNAS awards make the perfect introduction to compass and map navigation prior to DofE training and expeditions. NNAS awards can also be used to complete the Skill Section of the DofE Awards.
Typical programme
Although the course is flexible it will usually keep to the following programme:
- Day one 09:00-09:30 Arrival at course venue
- Day one 09:30-10:00 Introductions and equipment check
- Day one 10:00-13.00 Navigation training
- Day one 13:00-14:00 Lunch
- Day one 14:00-17:00 Navigation training
- Day one 17:00 Day ends
- Day two 09:00-09:30 Recap and review of previous day
- Day two 09:30-13.00 Navigation training
- Day two 12:00-13:00 Lunch
- Day two 13:00-16:00 Practical assessment
- Day two 16:00-16:30 Results and feedback
- Day two 16:00-16:30 Course ends
Booking information
Training Pricing
- Prices are for 1-4 people
- £520 (Monday - Thursday)
- £550 (Friday)
- £600 (Weekends & Bank Holidays)
Please add £120 per additional person for groups of 5 to 8.
For larger groups please call us to discuss your needs on 0333 121 2125.
Available venues
Our NNAS courses are available in the following locations between April and October:
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- The Brecon Beacons
- Dartmoor & Exmoor
- The Lake District
- The National Forest
- The New Forest
- The Peak District
- The South Downs
- Snowdonia
- The Surrey Hills
- Yorkshire Dales
- Yorkshire Moors
Please contact us if you wish to discuss other locations or wish to run the courses in your locality.
Duration
Two days (includes assessment)
Teaching ratio
1-6 students per coach
Previous experience
Students should already have some experience of navigating in the lowlands.
They will get the most out of the course if they have already attended our Navigation Skills: Farms & Fields course or are a NNAS Bronze Award holder, although this is not mandatory.
Can I start at the Silver level?
We will ask you about your previous experience and abilities to determine whether the course would be appropriate for you, but yes this is possible.
Preparation and fitness
The good news is that your students don't have to be ultra-fit to get the most out of the course.
We will be walking a lot, though not constantly and at an easy pace.
Accommodation
We do not include meals and accommodation as part of the course price.
However, we are more than happy to help arrange camping, youth hostels or other accommodation if required.
Equipment required
Please refer to our equipment page for a complete list.
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