Wilderness Navigation Equivalency

NOTE: Graduates of Wilderness Navigation whose Basic Navigation Badge has not expired can instead follow the Wilderness Navigation Rebadge process.

Refund Policy

There is no refund after paying your registration fee at any stage in this process. Please consider this when registering.

Leader's Permission

Checking the Leader's Permission box is your acknowledgement that you have carefully read the Seattle Navigation Course description, have mastered the Required Core Navigation Skills, and will complete the equivalency process within six months of registering for this course. See the Seattle Wilderness Navigation Equivalency page for information on the Seattle Navigation Course and the Required Core Navigation Skills.

Copy and paste the following in the Comments section of the Request Leader's Permission Form:

"I acknowledge that I have carefully read the Seattle Navigation Course description, have mastered the Required Core Navigation Skills listed on the Seattle Wilderness Navigation Equivalency page, and will complete the equivalency process within four months of registering for this course."

Requirements and Process

Requirements, within six (6) months of registering for this course and paying the registration fee:

1. To pre-qualify for the in-person assessment, submit an equivalency application. See the Seattle Wilderness Navigation Equivalency page.
2. Attend an in-person assessment. (2 hours)
   1. Held once a quarter, generally in the last month of the quarter on a weekend. Pre-qualification is required. Exact date based on volunteer availability and demand.
   2. To successfully pass the assessment, you will be required to teach, at a minimum, the skills listed above in the Required Core Navigation Skills section on the Seattle Wilderness Navigation Equivalency page.
3. Should you pass the assessment, you are required to complete the following activities to earn the Basic Navigation Badge (all are weekend activities held from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM):
   1. Attend an instructor training session at Discovery Park to familiarize yourself with the field trip particulars and our best practices. (7 hours)
   2. Instruct at an In-Person Workshop for the Wilderness Navigation Course. (7 hours)
   3. Instruct at a Field Trip for the Wilderness Navigation Course. (7 hours)
4. You will earn your Basic Navigation Badge at the close of the field trip you completed.

For more detailed information see Seattle Wilderness Navigation Equivalency.