Young Navigators' Challenge

FREE Annual Competition for young persons (11 - 18). Fantastic prizes to be won.

From the moment of birth every living creature has an instinctive ability to navigate. Advances in technology have made precise navigation possible at any time of day or night, anywhere in the world.

Like it or not, navigation has a big part to play in everyone's lives, wherever they are and whatever they do.

Navigation is advancing at a rapid pace - at sea, in the air, in space and on land, not forgetting the way animals and insects navigate.

Take part in our annual Young Navigators' Challenge for a chance to win a fantastic prize!

There is an exciting range of prizes and they vary from year to year. Past examples have included:

• Flights in general aviation and military aircraft and gliders.
• Sea voyages on ships – working with the captain.
• Sailing in ocean racing yachts.
• Sailing on square-rigged sailing vessels.
• Cross-country expeditions/training weeks/weekends.
• Books, compasses, binoculars and vouchers.
The prizes available for the 2008 Challenge are detailed below.

Take Part in the Challenge

Enter an essay or project on why navigation is essential and how it is put to use, with a title of your choice, based on one of the following themes:
• A recent holiday.
• An Adventure training or other experience/expedition - on foot, by sea, by road, by rail or by air.
• How navigation may help you in the future.
• Space, the final frontier.
• Navigating with mobile phones is here already- what next?

All entries for the Young Navigators' Challenge 2008 have to be received by 31 December 2008.

2008 Challenge Prizes

Prizes currently available for winners of the 2008 Challenge are:

A 5-day course at a Scottish Mountain Adventure Center

Donated by Glenmore Lodge, Scotland's National Outdoor Training Centre located in the heart of Cairngorms. glenmore lodge specialise in Rock climbing, mountain biking, ice climbing, hill walking, mountaineering, ski touring and navigation. This prize entitles the winner to a 5-day course based at Glenmore Lodge, as detailed in their 2008/09 brochure. For further information about Glenmore Lodge visit their website www.glenmorelodge.org.uk here

A voyage in a naval vessel

Donated by the Royal Navy, the winner of this prize, accompanied by a guardian will spend a couple of days at sea in HMS Gloucester for an over night transit, during which time he/she will be able to tour of the ship, sit at the helm and learn about RN navigation practices. 

A flight simulator experience

Donated by Thales UK, www.thalesgroup.com a leading supplier of advanced electronics include system engineering, system integration and the delivery of mission critical systems in both defence and civil areas. Thales's expertise ranges across everything from retail video display systems and chip ‘n' PIN technology, through to flight simulators, unmanned aircraft and even the design of entire warships.

A flying lesson in a glider

Donated by the British Gliding Association, BGA,  the winner of this prize can have a trial lesson at any participating BGA Club - there are nearly 100 clubs affiliated to the BGA through out the UK. In additinoa, at most clubs, the prize also entitles the winner to 3 months temporary membership of the club where the winner choses to have the trial lession. Visit the BGA website to find the club nearest to you.

A flying lession in a light aircraft

Donated by the West London Aero Club, the winner will be entitled to an introductory flying lesson in an aircrt operated by the Club, which operate from White Waltham Airfield near Maidenhead. For information about the Club and White Waltham Airfield visit their website, www.wlac.co.uk, here

A trip in a light aircraft

This prize is donated by the Director of the Royal Institute of Navigaton, Gp Capt David Broughton MBE. The  winner will have at least an hour's flight in the co-pilot's seat of a Piper PA-28 Arrow4-seat aircraft.  Two others - parents, teachers or friends - will be able to fly as passengers on the flight and all will be given lunch and refreshments, with the opportunity of looking around the aircraft and facilities at Flying Club Conington, south of Peterborough.

The Captain Turner Memorial Prize (£150 cash)

This cash prize is donated by Trinity House, the General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar, in memory of Captain Neil MacDonald Turner, Elder Brother of Trinity House. Visit www.trinityhouse.co.uk to find out more about the work of this organisation.

Further details on other available prizes will be posted shortly, so do visit us again soon.

As the Challenge is new for 2008 the entry rules have been relaxed to allow Year 6 pupils who are 11 before 31 December 2008 to enter the 2008 Challenge. Those who are 11 between 31 December 2008 and 31st August 2009 will be eligible to enter the 2009 Challenge as a Year 6 pupil.

Download a brochure of information about the Young Navigators' Challenge 2008.

How to Enter

Details on how to enter the Challenge are contained in the Young Navigators' Challenge FAQ PDF document below. A Special Event Contact Form for submitting entries through this website will be available later in the year.