Silver Navigator Award

The Silver Navigator Award course is an intermediate level course which takes place over two or three days.  We build on your existing map reading and navigation skills (acquired at the Bronze level) and introduce more advanced techniques to equip you with the confidence, knowledge and technical skills required to safely navigate away from paths and tracks in easily accessed, open terrain.  We also consider our personal responsibilities when accessing the countryside and how to plan a safe and enjoyable walk.  During the course we cover the NNAS Silver Navigator Syllabus and you will be given plenty of guidance and support throughout.

Successful completion of the course gives you the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) Silver e-certificate. The NNAS Silver Award is accredited at Level 5 by the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).  The course has an assessment element on day two and on successful completion 2 SCQF points will be awarded.

Minimum age 16 - U18s must be accompanied by parent/guardian who shall be responsible for them at all times during the activity.

We offer flexible booking on our NNAS Bronze and Silver courses, including mid-week and weekend or split days. We also offer a 3-day option for those wanting more guided tuition and practice. This option is favoured by people have some navigation experience and want to go straight to the Silver Award Course. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.

During the course we will cover:

• Technical navigation skills, including map and contour interpretation, accurate compass work and route finding

• Using your technical skills to plan and implement navigation strategies to simplify a route, to recognise difficult terrain, and to quickly recognise navigation error and apply relocation techniques

• Knowledge to plan a safe route having regard to factors such as distance and time, weather and appropriate kit and what to do in an emergency

• The background knowledge required to plan a route and to operate at the Silver level safely, legally and responsibly

The course takes place over two days. You will also need to research and complete a short ‘home paper’ to demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge and understanding of some parts of the Silver syllabus. This also has the added benefit of giving us more time to develop our practical navigation skills.

You will need:

• Map - the area around Goring and Streatley is covered by three separate OS Explorer maps:

  ·       OS Explorer - 171 - Chiltern Hills West

  ·       OS Explorer - 170 - Abingdon, Wantage & Vale of White Horse

  ·       OS Explorer - 159 - Reading

  For convenience, we will provide a combined map for use during the course.

• Compass for the day (we recommend the Silva Expedition 4)

• Watch 

• Timing & pacing chart (provided)

• Headtorch (if night navigation included)

We can provide map and/or compass for use on the day if required – please let us know. 

A full course briefing and joining instructions will be provided before the day.

Health & Risk Declaration:

When booking and participating in our activities you acknowledge that walking, like all outdoor activity, has a danger of personal injury. There are many variables including, but not limited to, weather, personal fitness level, terrain features and outdoor experience that must be considered prior to walking. You voluntarily choose to take part and are aware of and accept these risks and are responsible for your own actions and involvement.

Please read the walk description carefully. Your booking, and participation on the day, are accepted on the understanding that you, and those you are booking on behalf of, are medically and physically fit to take part in the activity. You undertake to inform us if you have any medical or physical condition which may impact on your ability, or the ability of the group, to safely take part in the activity. If you have any concerns you should discuss this with us prior to booking and participating.

COVID-19 Risk - If you think you may have any symptoms linked to COVID-19, or have recently been exposed to the virus, do not come to the course. Remember to check government advice.

Your Instructor:

Your instructor will be Philippa, an experienced outdoor professional and accredited NNAS provider. she will expertly guide you through your navigation skills training and assessment in a relaxed and encouraging environment. To ensure that you get the most out of the day, the Instructor-Participant ratio is 1:4 (max).

Please get in touch if you have any questions.

Course Location and Duration:

This 2-day (or 3-day) course usually takes place in the South Oxfordshire Chilterns and Berkshire Downs around Goring - see course dates. The mix of rolling hills, farmland and woodland provides a perfect environment for learning and developing your navigation skills, and there are some great views to enjoy along the way.

We start each day at 9.30 am at a local café, and finish at about 4.45 pm.

Weather:

We will review the weather forecast the day before and will contact you if we have to change our plans. This, however, is only likely if we consider the weather conditions to be a real risk to our safety. Please ensure that you check the weather forecast for yourself and come prepared for whatever the weather! No refunds will be made if you decide not to walk due to weather conditions. If you need advice, please get in touch.

Cancellation:

By Us: In the rare case that we have to cancel and event, you will be notified by email and offered a full refund or transfer to another course.

By You: We require 21 days cancellation notice prior to the event, otherwise we will charge you a cancellation fee as below, less payment processing fees.

• 50% of the total paid minus any booking fee where cancellation takes place between 1 and 3 weeks prior to the day of the course; or

• 100% of the total course fee where cancellation takes place within the final week before the commencement of the course; or

• We will accept reasonable requests to transfer to another programmed activity. Such requests must be made in writing at least 7 days prior to the booked activity and are subject to a £5 fee.