Bronze Map and Compass Skills
The Bronze weekend will broadly follow the following structure.
Friday Evening
This first session will introduce the basic skills of map and compass work. This will set course members up for tomorrow's practical day outside. Areas we'll cover will include map scales, map symbols, rights of way, footpaths and access land, understanding contours, grid references and the three norths.
Saturday
We'll spend all day outside, in small groups, on a series of practical exercises designed to get you using your map properly. Areas that will be covered include map detail, timing, pacing, ticking off, setting maps, linear navigation etc.
Saturday Evening
After a short feedback session, we'll discuss route cards befopre introducing you to compasses and taking bearings.
Sunday
Another practical day consolidating the skills learnt yesterday. We'll also spend time with the compass, taking bearings on the map and following them on the ground and simple point-to-point navigation. The weekend will finish at roughly 4 pm.
The following is taken from the Bronze NNAS Syllabus
- Understanding the nature of a map as a two dimensional plan.
- Understanding map symbols, scales and the underlying principle of the magnetic compass including cardinal points. Ordnance Survey maps at scales of 1:25,000 and 1:50,000, Harvey’s Walkers maps, specialist maps from organisations like the British Waterways Board or Orienteering maps-or a selection of these - can be covered here depending on circumstances and resources. The part played by grid references and magnetic variation will depend on the type of map being used.
- Orientating the map to the ground with and without a compass and using the ‘set’ map to identify features on map and ground, to pinpoint current map position and to make route decisions.
- The use of linear features (e.g. paths and streams) as handrails in simple navigational exercises using the thumb to indicate position on the map.
- The ability to judge approximate distances on both map and ground.
- An appreciation of the relationship between land forms and other distinct objects as indicated on the map. This will involve a basic understanding of the contour system and the ability to match major land forms like hills and valleys to their map images.
- The ability to plan a safe walk or course in wild country in line with set criteria on duration, difficulty, and objectives.
- The application of relevant safety procedures to navigation including simple relocation on paths.
- Knowledge of how Rights of Way are shown on maps and the practicalities of their use in the countryside in harmony with the Country Code and access constraints