Introduction to Digital Navigation

Outdoor Learning Courses

"It was such an enjoyable and informative morning. I’m quite confident I will never get lost again"

FIONA MURRAY

Fear of getting lost is a barrier to many people going walking, in particular if they are unfamiliar with the route. When walking in lowland countryside and woodland, using your mobile phone as a navigation aid can give you the confidence needed to explore new places. This interactive and educational outdoor learning course has been carefully designed to provide you with the knowledge and confidence needed to use your mobile phone as a navigation aid.

What to Expect

During this 3 hour outdoor learning course you can expect to learn:

How to locate yourself on the map
How to create a live trace of your route
How to follow a pre-defined route
How to see if you’ve gone off-track
How to use the app to make route choices on the ground (eg if need an escape route or to go a different way from what was planned for any reason)
Understanding the map key – what do the different types of lines and colours mean
Openstreet vs Topographic maps – benefits of each
How to judge distance and therefore also time a route (or section of a route) will take
Tips for battery-saving
Free vs paid versions of mobile mapping apps
How to use these apps when you have no mobile signal

Good to Know

All participants are required to bring their own smart phone.

Pre-course information will be sent out to all registered attendees with detailed set-up instructions (saves time on the day).

The app used to demonstrate the above outcomes is Visorando, which is free to download. Following the course, attendees can resort to their app of choice or continue to use Visorando. Read more about Visorando in this review.

To maximise your enjoyment of the experience, attendee numbers are limited to 5 per session.

This event is unsuitable for dogs.

Transport & Facilities

The courses take place in Ayrshire, south west Scotland. There are various locations used, the main one being Eglinton Country Park near Kilwinning. You can find out more specifics about travelling to the course meeting point and what facilities you can expect there by clicking through to my Eventbrite page.

The Route

We will cover a distance of 2-3 miles at a gentle pace, with frequent stops to discuss and learn. Expect a mixture of surfaced paths and woodland trails which can be uneven and muddy. There might be steps or steep ground on the route – check the information available on Eventbrite for your chosen date / location.

What to Bring

Dress for the changeable Scottish winter weather and lots of standing around! Warm, waterproof clothing and plenty of layers are important in winter. Fingerless gloves or gloves with touchscreen capability are recommended. A flask with a hot drink in it and some water, a snack you can eat whilst on the go. A fully charged mobile phone is obviously a requirement too.

Pricing

Public Courses

Full price: £44 | Reduced rate* £29

*To make this event more accessible to people currently on lower incomes there is the option to book a reduced rate ticket. You can choose what you pay based on your circumstances – you won’t be asked for any proof or ID. This is entirely based on trust.

Please read our Terms & Conditions page for more info.

Private Courses

Ideal for organisations that have staff or volunteers working with service users in the outdoors. The course provides meaningful, practical and interactive CPD training to assist them in their roles. Completion certificate provided to each attendee.

£220 per course for up to 5 participants at Eglinton Country Park, Kilwinning.
Multi-course discount of 10% available if booking 4 or more courss (ie for 20+ attendees)
Other locations can be used on request subject to a one-off set up fee of £50