Navigation

Like many species, we humans are habitual by nature, wherein we live in a somewhat relatively small world. Unless you're someone who enjoys travelling, chances are, you don't venture very far from home. You might be the kind of person who lives a somewhat mundane 9-5 lifestyle, where you go to work, meet friends at your local pub, and perhaps meet for a friendly game of football before heading back to the familiar 4 walls of your house. Sound familiar? If you have stumbled across this website, you are probably aware that something is missing from your life and have begun a journey into the unknown. You may have watched a travel documentary about another country and have yearned to be somewhere very different. Perhaps you have never travelled because you're scared about getting lost or stranded? However, as the old adage says, "The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step." Learning vital navigational skills may seem overwhelming, and perhaps, ironically, you're worried about getting lost whilst learning how NOT to get lost. 

Navigation encompasses the essential processes of identifying one’s location and plotting a route to reach a desired destination. This task involves various elements such as calculating distances, planning courses, and providing guidance to vehicles, individuals, or crafts. While many people engage in navigation during everyday activities, such as finding new shops or preparing for interviews within their community, its significance extends beyond casual use. Learning how to navigate need not be scary. You can learn the fundamentals from home, such as how to read a map or compass, before going out into your local community to put your new skills to the test. The more you learn and practise, the larger your world becomes, and you will wonder why you didn't start earlier.

Developing navigation skills is fundamental to survival and should be prioritised as a vital competency. Mastering this skill enhances spatial awareness and fosters a deeper connection with one’s environment, enabling individuals to appreciate the world around them. Early acquisition of navigation skills lays a solid foundation for understanding and interacting with one’s surroundings more meaningfully. At Nomad Bushcraft, you can learn all the different techniques, both old and new, and make it part of your wider world.

In this section you will learn the following: