The Bronze Navigator Award is aimed at people with no navigation experience - whether you are new to the outdoors, or have been relying on others, guidebooks or easy well-defined routes.
It is also the starting point for many Duke of Edinburgh students, scouts and guides and cadets who are looking to develop their outdoor skills.
It is a practical foundation course covering the most widely used and fundamental skills in navigation. It is perhaps the most useful navigation course you can ever take!
If you would like to discuss this course for a club, society or other group of people, please see the Adventures for You page or just get in touch to discuss options and prices
Beginner Foundation Bronze Navigator Award
Where they are Run:
The courses are run on the North Western tip of the North York Moors National Park around the iconic Roseberry Topping. There are good rail links to Great Ayton (the nearest town). Middlesbrough is 10 miles away and Darlington is 25 miles away. This is a magnificent part of the moors. A rugged terrain with views across Teesside, across to the Yorkshire and Durham Dales and the North Sea!
We meet at The Kings Head Inn, Newton Under Roseberry at 0900 at the start of a course. More details are sent out on booking. If you are travelling from afar, I'd recommend staying at the Inn for the course.
To see the location in Google Maps, please click here (opens in a new tab). For day 2, we meet a few miles up the road at Guisborough Walkway and Visitor Centre near the market town of Guisborough. To see the meeting point in Google Maps, please click here.
In 2024 we are looking to provide this fundamental navigation courses in additional locations in Yorkshire so it is easier for people to find a course closer to home.
What the course Involves:
We meet indoors both days for a brew but we are mainly out on the hills learning the practical tools and skills in the real environment. You have access to a bite-size video series which covers the syllabus and this will introduce many of the topics we practice outdoors. This also is a useful reminder resource for afterwards!
There is a very short home paper and route planning exercise that forms part of the course. I've always included it as planning (and confidently following) your own routes is something most people have said they want to get from the course. It is now part of the accreditation.
The instructor:client ratio is 1:8 with a minimum of 3 clients to ensure that everyone gets the most benefit from the course. Peer-experience and sharing is an important aspect.
By the end of the course, you will have a good understanding of the following:-
Maps and scales
Grid references
Orientating a map with and without a compass
Relate prominent landforms to the contours on a map
Locate yourself on the map and route, and relocation techniques for when you are not quite sure
Measure and estimate distances on the map and the ground
Plan routes and use simple navigation strategies
Access issues and legislation
The countryside code and the environment
Walking and safety equipment and emergency procedures
Accreditation:
The Courses are developed by the National Navigation Award Scheme. The Awards (Bronze, Silver and Gold) are accredited by the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at Level 4, 5 and 6 respectively and 2 SCQF credit points are awarded on completion. These have equivalents in England and Wales.
Tutors:
Fabian is the Course Director for all of our NNAS courses. He has a particular passion for teaching. He's taught outdoor skills over the past 20+ years to a range of audiences. He sat on the NNAS Board of Directors between 2017-2023. He also designs, develops and delivers multi-day practical courses on health innovation for universities and the NHS. He's a very experienced tutor and absolutely loves teaching.
Important and Useful Resources:
There is a series of bitesize videos that accompanies this course. They also act as a useful reminder of the topics and tools we covered for after. Teaching navigation theory online can never replace going out with an instructor however as you can't 'feel' what it is like to walk 100m using pacing when sat at home.
If you decide this course is right for you, please ensure that you have watched the video series. This will seed some of the concepts we will practice out on the hill.
You can find the link here. Please note that this will take you to Youtube where the videos are viewable as a sequence. Any problems please get in touch.
Map and Compass:
We can provide you with a map and a compass for the course. If you'd like to buy a brand new industry standard Silva Expedition 4 compass with a full professional set up as demonstrated in the videos, you can buy one from our shop in advance and we can set it up for you when the course begins.
Prerequisites
An interest in the outdoors, a willingness to learn new skills and a keenness to go out and practice.
Being a super fit athlete is not a requirement!
It is a training course and we'll be standing around a fair bit and going at a pace that everyone is comfortable with. If you are at all unsure, please get in touch with Fabian for a chat about the course.
Cost:
Each non-residential course costs £120 per person for the two days training and assessment. You will need to provide your own accommodation (if needed), transport and travel insurance. This includes a £8.00 registration fee to NNAS.
It includes training and assessment over two days (minimum of 12 hours) with a qualified NNAS Tutor and experienced guide. There is an e-certificate on successfully passing the award (you can buy a physical certificate from the NNAS office).
Images from Past Events
To Book
If you want to chat to me about the course then please feel free to do so - email is a good start as I'm often out and about with limited phone reception. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions too.
Please ensure you've read the booking Terms and Conditions and you are aware of what you need to bring by downloading the gear list.
To book simply click the link below for the dates that you are interest in.
Please note: NNAS have a new Candidate Management booking system. When you click the link below you will be taken to the NNAS JustGo page to book. All courses are now centrally handled by NNAS.
Book the Bronze Navigator Award - Saturday 11th - Sunday 12th January 2025