NNAS Bronze Navigator Course (2 days): Surrey Hills

If you want to be more confident finding your way, want to learn the key skills to plan a run or walk and enjoy doing this in a fun, practical way with others then this is your passprt to freedom. Map reading and navigation course for absolute beginners. You even get a certificate at the end. The focus is on enjoying being outside and learning as we go at a social walking pace, in a safe, non judgemental atmosphere. 

The Bronze National Navigation Award is a practical hands-on award for runners or walkers. After the 2 days, you will be ready to go out and explore new areas and have the skills and see your favourite places through fresh eyes. 

This course 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. Everyone can learn to navigate with a little help and enthusiastic teacher. The National Navigation Award Scheme is for those that want nationally accredited recognition for their map reading prowess.  A rewarding and fun way to learn how to use a map and compass.

The course is led by NNAS Tutor and Mountain Leader, Jude Palmer. Jude spends her days outside, guiding and supporting groups and individuals whether it be trail running, walking or cold water swimming. Super experienced at being in the hills and mountains, wlld camping, Jude knows what kit to wear and carry with you and loves sharing her knowledge of wild flowers and fungi too. 

The NNAS Bronze Navigator award is accredited by the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at Level 4, and 2 SCQF credit points are awarded on completion. On the Bronze you will be registered with the NNAS, undertake some question and answers as we go around and be informally assessed against a check list of syllabus skills and techniques. - no formal testing or being put on the spot.

This course is split over 2 days and the maximum tutor to participant ratio is 1:8

It will be held in The Surrey Hills and being a very practical course will be entirely outdoors.

Timings:

Saturday 20th April and Sunday 21st April 09:30 - 16:30 

Meet: Heartworks Cafe, Holmbury St Mary. 

Park on the road or pull in opposite Holmbury St Mary Village Garage. RH5 6PD or What3words:///smooth.pokers.civic

Heartworks Coffee Bar is 2 minutes walk along the road and they serve some of the best coffee in the area. 

RH5 6LG or What3words:///trying.petty.cube

Meet in the covered barn.

What to bring:

- suitable walking boots or trail trainers with good grip. 

- packed lunch, snacks and drinks for both days. We can pick up snacks along the way. 

- suitable clothing for the conditions

- a rucksack to carry what you need

- Proper maps and compasses are provided for the course. If you would like to buy your own equipment there is a great outdoor shop, Surrey Trek and Run in the village of Shere a few miles away. They have compasses, maps, boots and outdoor clothing. https://www.surreytrekandrun.co.uk

Accomodation:

Accomodation is not included but recommendations of where to stay are and include Bulmer Farm (behind Heartworks), The Kings Head (2 mins from where we meet), The Plough Coldharbour (10mins drive) and more. Get in touch if you want more.

Transport:

Driving: easy access from A25 (main Dorking to Guildord road)

Bus: No.22 from Dorking

please get in touch if you need extra help. Car sharing may be an option.

BRONZE COURSE CONTENT (if anything or all of the below are new to you, don't worry. That's the point of the course)

• Introduce the different maps we can use to find our way, their differences and the key features such as contours, footpaths.
• Learn how to use 4 and 6 figure grid references with worded descriptions to define the position of a map feature and to locate a feature on the ground.
• Turn the the map (orientate) using handrails, obvious point features and major landforms so that it matches what you are looking at
• Use straight features (e.g. paths, tracks, clear boundaries) as handrails in simple navigation exercises.
• Match prominent landforms such as large hills and valleys to what you can see on the map.
• Learn what a compass is and how to use it
• Use a compass to get a map to match what you can see on the ground
• Use an orientated map to confirm the direction of travel.
• Use clearly identifiable features to confirm position along the route and to recognise when you have gone past where you wanted to be
• Measure horizontal distance on the map and estimate distance on the ground using timing, pacing and simple visual judgements e.g.100m.
• Plan and follow simple routes and navigation strategies based on the above skills.
• Recognise when you have made a mistake and know what to do to get back on track. 
• Talk the uses of mobile phone location apps as a back up to map and compass and in emergencies.
• Show you have an awareness of local and national access issues, access legislation, personal responsibilities, the Countryside Code and sustainability.
• Show you have appropriate knowledge of walking equipment, safety equipment and emergency procedures.

All weather fun - Bronze level courses takes place on paths around the quintessential Surrey Hills village of Holmbury St Mary. Weather can change and so make sure you come with the right clothing to spend the day outside, an extra layer and waterproofs if needed. Check the weatehr forecast. We strongly encourage you to wear comfortable walking boots or trail trainers as the ground is uneven and yourr feet are your best bit of kit. 

Bronze training and assessment courses are around 12-13 hours in total (two day course for each level). Group sizes are only up to a maximum of 8 people and we go at a 'learning pace' for people to comfortably learn skills and ask questions.