NNAS Straight to Silver

• Nationally recognised qualification
• Accredited at Level 5 by the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) and worth 2 SCQF points
• MTA Qualified Instructor
• Learn a new outdoor skill
• Be confident to explore the countryside
• Stay safe outdoors
• Use of maps and compasses included
• Stunning rural locations
• Certificate on passing the course
• Cotswold Outdoor Discount

Suitable for those with some previous navigation and map reading experience, this three-day course combines the NNAS Bronze and Silver Awards, so that the Bronze training is covered on the first day, with the Silver training and assessment on the second and third days respectively.

NNAS Awards are ideal for DofE supervisors, DofE Bronze award candidates, teachers and leaders who either do not hold national governing body awards, or are developing skills towards them (e.g. Lowland Leader, Mountain Leader), leisure walkers, photographers, horse riders, cyclists or anyone who works in lowland countryside.  Some map reading experience is required to attend this course as is a degree of personal fitness.

We are proud to have been running NNAS courses for over ten years and are recognised as one of the region’s leading navigation course providers - please do take a look at our Testimonials.

Learning is informal and relaxed, with plenty of practical experience out in the South Downs, within a small group of up to 8 people. We cover around 6 to 8 miles each day, following paths across farmland, valleys, riversides, woodland, hills and downland in the Sussex countryside.  The locations we use are easily accessible from London and are convenient for public transport if required.

Learning Outcomes

The Silver Award builds on skills and techniques and develops confidence in navigation, so that on completion, participants will be able to safely plan and follow a route with some sections away from paths and tracks.  By the end of the course attendees will be able to:

•   Recognise difficult and dangerous terrain on map and ground
•   Use back bearings to check route following accuracy
•   Deviate briefly from a compass bearing to avoid obstacles or difficult terrain and accurately regain the original line
•   Plan and implement navigational strategies
•   Recognise navigation error and apply relocation techniques
•   Demonstrate detailed understanding of the Countryside Code and other access legislation

Duration: Three full days  (typically 09.30-16.30), (dates from October to February (GMT) may include an element of night navigation on Day 2 so will have a slightly later start and finish time).  The course is split, so participants will attend our Open the Map course on a date to suit them and then do the 2 day NNAS Silver course within 3 months.  Please contact us to discuss any aspect of this.

Location: South Downs

For NNAS Silver courses we work at a maximum ratio of 1:8

Although attendance on the Bronze course is not a pre-requisite for the Silver, we will assess your current experience to ensure you are at the right standard. It is recommended that you contact us prior to enrolling on this course, so we can understand your level of navigation experience and ensure that this course is a suitable route for you.

Your course is led by an extremely experienced and qualified outdoor instructor.  They are a qualified to a minimum MTA Mountain Leader level and also have extensive experience leading and instructing in the area. All our instructors are also outdoor first aid qualified and DBS checked.  Please organise your own accommodation for the course, if required as well as a packed lunch each day.  Use of maps and compasses are included for the duration of the course.