The Outdoor Discovery Award

The Outdoor Discovery Award or 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 has been developed to help group leaders introduce the basic elements of navigation to people who want to explore the great outdoors.

The Outdoor Discovery Award or ODA syllabus outline

The syllabus operates at three different levels – 1 Star, 2 Star & 3 Star

At each level the syllabus uses five headings:

1.   Engage with the outdoors

2.   Making your own map

3.   Journeying

4.   Understanding the concept of symbols and scale

5.   Setting the map

1 Star

·      Make simple maps and sketches to show journeys

·      Undertake journeys for fun, using a simple map or plan

·      Gain a basic understanding of symbols, scale and map setting

After taking part in the 1 Star ODA, participants will have acquired basic navigational skills and will be able to make short journeys in familiar terrain using their own and other people’s sketches or representations of the area.

2 Star

·      Use building interiors and / or the immediate outdoor area when learning skills

·      Develop mapping and map setting skills

·      Undertake slightly longer journeys, considering scale and distance

After taking part in the 2 Star ODA, participants will be able to make journeys in their local area using their new and revised navigational skills to interpret maps and will have an understanding of standardised symbols.

3 Star 

·      Plan and follow straightforward journeys around familiar and unfamiliar areas 

·      Discover and investigate points of interest during the journey 

·      Understand basic walking safety issues and have respect for the environment

After taking part in the 3 Star ODA, participants should be able to plan and follow journeys in unfamiliar local areas using appropriate maps.