Out There Award (Bridgwater)

Learn entry level navigation skills, make new friends and enjoy fun days exploring your local area on our free award for 18 to 26-year-olds

The Out There Award is bringing outdoor skills to your doorstep. If you’re aged 18-26, the Ramblers Out There Award will kick-start your journey into the outdoors while helping you meet new friends, have fun and learn outdoor skills.

This free two-day award is for everyone, regardless of your background, experience, location, or budget.

We've co-designed our syllabus with our participants to ensure it’s crammed full of the outdoor skills that can help you get out there. Awards are held at accessible locations you can easily get to either on foot or public transport.

Not got outdoor kit? Don't worry, you don’t need any specialist outdoor gear and we'll give you a free Out There Award participant pack with everything you need to take part. You just need to bring lunch.

The award is over two days, and delivered to small groups of young people:

Day one is the Skills day, you will learn the basics of navigation whilst discovering a local walk and making new pals.

Day two is the Exploring day, you will build on the skills of day one and explore an amazing local walk. Both days are led by qualified instructors, who will bring the learning to life.

Don’t worry, the Out There Award is not a formal qualification and you’re not being assessed! It’s all about taking part, learning, and having fun. If you participate, you pass!

Everyone who completes the two days gets:

• A year of Ramblers membership worth £41 which unlocks unlimited walks with our walking groups
• A Ramblers starter pack, a dry bag crammed full of navigation and safety essentials
• A signed Out There Award certificate

When you’ve completed the award, we hope you’ll have gained the motivation, new friends, and outdoor skills to get walking more often. You can also use your free membership to get walking with your local Ramblers young walking group(s).

We provide a welcoming atmosphere. Most people don't know anyone when they turn up, so don't worry if you're alone though you're welcome to come along with a friend! Still not sure? Check out this video featuring Out There Award graduates sharing their experiences.

Bridgwater programme

Here’s a video of what to expect during the two days of your Out There Award...

Day one: Outdoor Skills - Saturday 14 September 2024 – 10am to 5:30pm - starting at Cannington Cemetery, main entrance (off the High Street)

This is a chance to get hands on with maps and navigation, while getting to know fellow participants. We’ll cover the skills needed to safely enjoy great days outdoors. It’s a practical day of walking and learning. We usually cover about 6km, at a gentle pace, but will meet the needs of those who attend.

We’ll cover topics including:

• How to be a self-sufficient walker

• How to safely plan a walk

• Your rights of way and where you can walk

• Outdoor equipment and clothing

• What food and drink to carry

• Core introductory navigation skills for using maps

• Introductory compass skills

• Staying safe when you’re out and about.

Day two: Exploring Day – Sunday 15 September 2024 - 10am to 5.30pm - starting at Cannington Cemetery, main entrance we'll explore the nearby open green spaces and area on our walk

Using everything we learned on day one we'll explore a local walk while continuing to build on your outdoor skills. The aim is not to just walk vast distances, it’s about exploring new places and practicing skills in a fun, social setting.

You’ll develop the skills to plan a walk, navigate, work as a team, and look out for each other. Most importantly, you’ll decide when and where to have lunch!

If you can't make this Out There Award have no fear, why not check out our other award dates here.

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If you’d like any more information or have any questions at all, please email us outthereaward@ramblers.org.uk