Navigation theory sessions are designed to improve navigation skills within the club by giving you the opportunity to improve your skills at your own pace. The theory sessions will be in a classroom on the ANU campus from 6pm to 7:30pm on Tuesday nights during May. They are divided up into 4 sessions (First Timers, Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced) so that every single ANUMC member will be able to learn something new by attending the theory sessions relevant to them.

How can I learn to navigate?

The theory sessions will help you to learn both navigation theory and practical skills within the classroom. In the class room you can complete the first 2 steps of a proven process of learning navigation which involves:

1) Learning the theory of navigation in the classroom.
2) Learing practical navigation skills in the classroom.
3) Gaining navigation experience by using the theory and skills.

As examples of things you will learn, in the first session you will learn the theory of how to convert a grid bearing to a magnetic bearing by watching and listening to a powerpoint presention and then you will practice doing the conversion with your compass. In the final session you will learn the theory of using a GPS before using a GPS to plot a grid reference on your map. You will be able to start to gain practical experience by attending Navigation Practical Sessions which are planned to occur during and after the theory sessions as well as in your own time by participating in club trips.

Who are the theory sessions for?

All club members from those who have never even seen a topographic map to experienced navigators will be able to improve their navigation skills through these theory sessions.

What sessions should I attend?

If you are First Time navigator or Beginner you should attend the first three sessions. If your an Intermediate or Advanced Navigator you should attend all sessions. This is so that you can learn how to teach and help teach Beginners in the first few sessions as well as consolidating your skills before the later sessions.

Is this an accredited course with qualified instructors?

The sessions will be run by club members who have practical and theoretical navigation experience gained from rogaining or teaching navigation in the military. However, the sessions are not part of a recognised or accredited course and will not use formally qualified instructors.

Cost?

There will be a small cost of $10 for attending as many sessions as you want which will be used to cover the cost of training materials such as buying new maps. Check with the club but as usual trip leaders should be able to use club subsidies (eg trip leaders training subsidy) to cover this small cost. Non-Members will need to either join the club or pay a non-members fee of $30 on top of the $10.

How do I sign up?

Regardless of which sessions you plan to attend please sign up on the page for session 4 (27 May) so that way everybody signs up on the same page).