Bronze National Navigation Award Scheme Course

The Bronze National Navigation Award is a practical, hands-on, award. Aimed at people with no navigation, or limited, experience. Maybe you are new to the outdoors or, have been relying on others, guidebooks or easy well-defined routes. It is a starting point for many who are looking to develop their outdoor skills.

The NNAS Bronze award is accredited by the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at Level 4. With 2 SCQF credit points awarded completion, it is part of a suite of awards from the National Navigation Award Scheme.

Course Information

The Bronze National Navigation Award teaches navigation in the countryside, using paths tracks and other linear features. The syllabus includes basic map interpretation and compass work, with a look at access and equipment. We recommend that participants are a minimum of 14 years, and all under 18’s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

This course takes place in the beautiful valley of Wensleydale, around the town of Leyburn and the historic Castle Bolton. By using the large network of available footpaths and tracks, with open fields and woods, we have access to various opportunities to practice navigation. Our meeting point on day 1 will be one of the cafes in Leyburn. We will have a tea or coffee and run through some of the basics before moving out to put them into practice. Day 2 is out and about around the Castle Bolton/Aysgarth area.

Your tutor for the course is an experienced mountain leader who also holds the International Mountain Leader carnet and has 25+ years of experience in teaching navigation.

Maximum tutor to participant ratio is 1:8 and, a few days prior to the course, there will be a group meeting online to say hi and also run through the course details. We will be using terrain that falls into the “Easy” definition we use for our guided walks.

Wear clothing suitable for being outdoors. Waterproof jacket and trousers are essential items, along with hats and gloves. Even Wellingtons may be useful! A lunch and drinks will be needed on both days. All navigation equipment will be provided, but feel free to bring your own compass and map of the area.

Unfortunately, we cannot take dogs on this course; sorry!

Please contact us with any questions or queries.