National Navigation Award Scheme

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Navigator Award

The aims of the National Navigation Award Scheme’s Navigator Award are simple – to give lovers of the outdoors, whatever their sport, age or fitness, the freedom to explore the paths, trails, hills and mountains of Britain and abroad.

Gaining an award does not give you a qualification to teach or lead. It is a recognition of the level of skill at which you can navigate.

There are three levels – the Bronze Award, the Silver Award and the Gold  Award. Progressing through the three awards will take you from being an absolute map and compass novice right through to be an expert navigator at Gold.

The NNAS Navigator 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.

You don’t, of course, have to start at Bronze, although it expected that you will have completed the Silver award at least before you start a Gold Award course.

Outdoor Discovery Award

The Outdoor Discovery Award (ODA) is ideal for people of all ages who wish to learn basic navigation skills at a gentle rate, encouraging them to gain and improve personal confidence to get out and get active.  The Awards have been developed to help group leaders introduce the basic elements of navigation to people who want to explore outside.

Previously known as Young Navigator Star Awards (YNSA), the revamped and updated ODA continues with the core ethos of the YNSA: Encouraging exploration and journeying in local areas using simple maps such as street maps, pictorial park maps and orienteering maps. 

The ODA levels are aimed at all age groups and abilities.

There is a gradual learning progression via One Star, Two Star and Three Star levels, with certificates and badges available for achieving participants who have undertaken the ODA with a group leader who is registered with NNAS as an accredited ODA Course Provider.