Silver NNAS – 2 day course

Complete your Silver NNAS with us!

.Mind and Body Walking is proud to be an approved provider with the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS). This means that we have achieved the quality standards necessary to deliver this award scheme. NNAS is a registered charity that promotes the teaching of land navigation skills in the UK.  To achieve the awards we mainly look at navigation skills but also look at other areas to help keep you safe such as weather, sustainability, access, conservation, nature, safety and walking skills. So our days are well rounded and you will learn a great deal about walking and connecting with nature. 

The second of these awards is the Silver Level which will give you the competencies you need to navigate safely and confidently on paths, tracks and roads in the UK. 

Who is this course for?

Ideally you will have had a small amount of navigation experience, maybe through walking with a local group or the Ramblers or maybe on our Introduction to Navigation Course.

You may be doing it simply to upskill and have some fun or you may be working towards walk leader awards such as Lowland Leader, Hill and Moorland Leader or Mountain Leader. Others may be working towards becoming a Duke of Edinburgh Assessor or Supervisor or may be becoming a Holiday Walk Leader with an organisation such as HF. There are many things you can do with the Bronze NNAS Award afterwards and we are really happy to help support and signpost you onwards on your journey.

Course Details

• Bronze NNAS Navigation Award is a 2 day non residential course and assessment
• Group size can be up to 8 people 
• Location will vary according to the specific course, we run courses across the Midlands, in the Peak District and the Yorkshire Moors. Each day may start from a different location
• Start at 09.30, finish at 16.30. There will be time allowed for rest and refreshments during the day
• The route will be on visible paths, tracks and minimal roads
• Maximum distance 10km and height gain / loss maximum 300m
• Please let us know when you book if you have any specific requirements that we need to be aware of

What Key Skills will you learn?

We want you to be safe and comfortable to go off on your own in “Bronze” level areas. On successfully completing the Bronze NNAS Award you will be able to:

• Navigate using a variety of maps and scales such as Harvey, Orienteering and OS
• Orientate the map with and without a compass – in our opinion the most important basic skill to master
• Use linear features such as tracks and clear boundaries
• Measure distance on the map and use this to estimate time and distance on the ground
• Use 4 and 6 figure grid references 
• Recognise when you’ve gone wrong (we all do!) and correct yourself
• Understand the potential role of mobile phone aps as emergency back up
• Interpret the terrain using contour features
• How to plan a safe walk
• Understand access and legal issues when walking in the countryside
• Know what kit you need to be safe and comfortable on the terrain you want to walk through

Day format

 We will start with introductions and some basic theory. Most of the rest of the two days will be spent learning practical techniques outside, using the maps, the terrain and skills we will give you.  We will assess your skills as they develop and will end the course with a debrief session and outcomes. 

What Equipment will you need?

 We will send you a full list of everything you need (which is specific to your day) with your brief course briefing material.

Here is a summary of the key pieces generic to all of our courses:

• Local OS 1:25,000 Explorer Map – we will let you know which one. We can assist you if you don’t have a local map
• A compass – we recommend a Silva compass with a base plate, we can advise you on this
• Walking boots to accommodate the terrain we will be walking in
• Waterproof clothing and other clothing to protect you from the elements on the day, this an outdoor course – we can advise you 
• First aid kit with your own medication for the day
• Food, drink and snacks for a day out and about
• Money and mobile phone
• Any other personal equipment you may normally use for a day walking e.g. walking poles

 Book your place