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Assessed multi-course certificate · non-accredited

Field Readiness & Navigation

Prepare a supported day trip using actual planning, field-water, weather/shelter and map/compass tasks.

4 courses. One defined path.

Follow the required courses in order. Audit study is available with Academy membership; assessed enrollment adds evidence review and the program’s progression rules.

  1. Start Here: Your Household Readiness Plan

    Course 1 of 4 · Beginner · 14 lessons · about 14 h

  2. Safe Water at Home and in the Field

    Course 2 of 4 · Beginner · 19 lessons · about 19 h

  3. Warmth, Shelter and Weather

    Course 3 of 4 · Beginner · 14 lessons · about 14 h

  4. Map, Compass and Safe Day Trips

    Course 4 of 4 · Intermediate · 10 lessons · about 10 h

What you’ll work toward

  • Field plan and water continuity
  • Weather and shelter practice record
  • Map, compass and supported-navigation log
  • Integrate the course evidence in a reviewed capstone.

Assessment & pacing

Each assessed lesson opens at least 2 days after the previous lesson is completed. Required assessment checkpoints also need approval before you continue.

Plan for about 15 weeks at 4 study hours per week, based on approximately 57 hours of course study. Allow extra time for revisions.

The minimum assessed practice period is 18 weeks. Studying faster does not bypass lesson waits or required approvals.

The assessed enrollment has a 246-day completion window from its recorded start. The clock pauses while submitted work waits for review. You can request a free extension if you need more time. Membership study remains self-paced while access is active. Paying or marking a lesson complete does not prove proficiency.

How an assessment passes

Each skill is scored from 0 to 4. You need at least 3 on every essential skill and at least 80% overall. Missing evidence must be resolved before approval. Feedback explains what to improve, and you can submit a revised attempt.

To earn the program award, complete the whole course bundle, required quiz passes, approved assignments, final project, and practice period. The school confirms the award separately.

Assessment 1 · portfolio

Field plan and water continuity

Plan a supported day trip with contacts, water needs and a backup plan. Send your trip documents and explain what would change under a new water advisory.

Detailed assignment instructions

Submit the readiness decision flow, contact/meeting and care-continuity plan, water field card and needs/source decisions for a fictional or redacted supported day trip.

See assessment criteria
  • Required result (35%) · essential
    The supported-trip plan integrates the actual readiness and field-water tasks.
  • Sound decisions (30%) · essential
    Needs, sources and contact decisions fit the stated trip and limitations.
  • Evidence and checks (25%) · essential
    Provide calculations and a changed-advisory case.
  • Explanation and revision (10%)
    Explain a corrected plan.

Assessment 2 · portfolio

Weather and shelter practice record

Practice the shelter and weather tasks from the course safely. Send your checklists, knot card, setup records and any changes you made.

Detailed assignment instructions

Submit the actual weather go/no-go card, shelter site checklist, knot card, tarp-pitch and overnight-setup record where applicable. Distinguish actual practice from a lesson-permitted rehearsal.

See assessment criteria
  • Required result (35%) · essential
    Records satisfy the authored shelter/weather tasks.
  • Sound decisions (30%) · essential
    Site, weather and stop decisions follow the supplied guidance.
  • Evidence and checks (25%) · essential
    Show dated practice or clearly labelled permitted rehearsal evidence.
  • Explanation and revision (10%)
    Explain a correction.

Assessment 3 · portfolio

Map, compass and supported-navigation log

Use a map and compass on the supported walk from the course. Send the marked map, calculations, walk log and rescue information card.

Detailed assignment instructions

Submit the authored annotated topographic map, compass conversions, supported-navigation walk log, trip plan and rescue report card. Redact sensitive locations and use support as required by the course.

See assessment criteria
  • Required result (35%) · essential
    Map, conversions and walk log meet the authored navigation brief.
  • Sound decisions (30%) · essential
    Navigation and rescue-report decisions fit the scenario.
  • Evidence and checks (25%) · essential
    Supply calculations, observations and corrections.
  • Explanation and revision (10%)
    Explain a location/measurement uncertainty.

Assessment 4 · capstone · video evidence

Supported trip: scenario and practical defense

Record your supported trip plan and a safe map-and-compass task. Send the YouTube video and explain how you would respond to changing water, weather or return-time conditions.

Detailed assignment instructions

Provide a YouTube demonstration and review of a supported trip plan, map/compass task and safe weather/shelter decision using the actual course exercises. Explain a water-advisory change and a lost/late return decision. No solo emergency simulation is required. An authorized human reviewer checks performance and decisions.

See assessment criteria
  • Safe practice (35%) · essential
    The authorized human reviewer confirms consent, supervision where required, safe scope and appropriate stop or withdrawal decisions. Unsafe or unapproved performance cannot pass.
  • Demonstrated task (30%) · essential
    The evidence integrates the actual supported navigation and field-readiness tasks.
  • Scenario judgment (25%) · essential
    Water, weather, route and seek-help decisions fit the supplied scenario.
  • Reflection (10%)
    Explain a limitation, correction and sensible next practice step.

School recognition, clearly defined

A non-accredited Cloud Forest school award based on reviewed evidence. It is not a degree, professional license or guarantee of employment. Martial rank requires the authorized examiner's approval.

Historical completion awards remain part of a student’s record. New assessed recognition requires the program’s reviewed evidence and approval.