Out There Award (Tweed Valley)

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, Ramblers Scotland’s 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 scheme 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. Events are held at accessible locations you can get to via sustainable transport.

Not got all the 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.

The award is over two days, with about four to eight participants per award:

Day one is the skills day, you will learn the 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 branded dry bag crammed full of navigation and safety essentials worth £26

· 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 Scotland young walking group(s).

You’ll also get access to the Out There Award Plus, two days of volunteering and a night's introduction to camping. If you’ve not got a tent, don’t worry! We’ve all the kit you need to get involved.

You can even apply to our Ambassador Scheme, a year long course where you work towards outdoor qualifications while inspiring the next generation of walkers by leading walks.

We provide a welcoming atmosphere. Most people don't know anyone when they turn up, so don't worry if you're alone!

Still not sure? Check out featuring Out There Award graduates sharing their experiences.

Tweed Valley programme

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

Day one: outdoor skills - Saturday 27 July 2024 – 10am to 5:30pm - Tweedbank Train Station, Tweedbank

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 walking and learning in whatever weather Scotland throws our way. 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 access rights and responsibilities

• Outdoor equipment and clothing

• What food and drink to carry

• Core introductory navigation skills for using maps

• Intro compass skills

• Staying safe when you’re out and about.

Day two: exploring day – Sunday 28 July 2024 - 10am to 5.30pm - Tweed Valley Explore Walk

Using everything we learned on day one we'll explore a local walk while continuing to build on these 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 delivery dates across Scotland .

To see more of what the award looks like follow our Ramblers Scotland social accounts on Instagram and X or our project lead @rambingknight on Instagram and X. Sam Knight manages the Out There Award in Scotland, delivers the Out There Award in Edinburgh and runs the Out There Award Plus and Ambassador Scheme.

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If you’d like any more information, please email

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Devorgilla Bridge, 1, Dumfries, United Kingdom