Nature and Background of Outdoor Recreation

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Recreation is derived from the Latin word recreare which means to be refreshed.
Choices for recreation vary from person to person. What makes one happy may not be so
for others. Therefore, recreational activities depend on one’s interests, pursuits, and needs
which may reflective of one’s beliefs and level of gratification. For example, a natural park
may serve as a bonding place for a family to have a picnic, a great fitness area for a jogger,
and a place to commune with nature or meditate for others.

The outdoors in a broad sense is a space outside an enclosed area. Narrowing it

down, outdoors, as used it in discussion, includes the natural environment and resources
which comprises the land, water, wildlife, vegetation, open and scenery. The outdoors may
be in their most natural state or “semi-natural” state, which is a state where it had gone
through some human modification but has retained its natural features.

BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION

The Philippines is rich in natural resources. Despite being in a relatively small

country, Philippines is surrounded by all kinds of land formations and natural water
resources. In fact, it has been listed in The World Factbook (Maps of World, n.d.) as having
the fifth longest coastline in the world. Its natural environment has so much to offer,
whether on land, on water, or even in the air. It hosts varied outdoor recreational activities,
some of which are the following:
Land Water Sailing

Mountaineering Swimming Fishing

Trekking/Hiking Snorkeling Bamboo Rafting

Camping Diving Air

Backpacking Surfing Parasailing

Picnic Canoeing Skydiving

Bird-watching Kayaking Paragliding

Mountain Biking Whitewater Rafting

Canyoneering

Rock Climbing

Orienteering

What are the benefits of outdoor recreation?

 Physical Health Benefits

Being outdoors prevents a person from having a sedentary life. It allows
people to move, whether by walking, running, swimming, biking, paddling, etc. Many
people have documented the benefits of staying active that include reduced obesity,
reduced risk of disease, enhanced immune system, and increased life expectancy.
The following is a guideline taken from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM):
Moderate activity 3.0 to 6.0 METs* (3.5 Vigorous activity Greater than 6.0 METs*
to 7 kcal/min) (more than 7 kcal/min)
 Walking at the brisk pace of 3- 4.5  Walking – 5 mph or faster
mph  Jogging or running
 Hiking  Climbing briskly up a hill
 Biking with level terrain or few  Backpacking
hills (5-9 mph)  Mountain climbing
 Recreational swimming  Rock climbing
 Snorkeling  Rappelling
  Aquatic aerobics  Mountain biking
 Water skiing
 Canoeing (at less than 4 mph)
 Surfing (board and body)
 Sailing
 Kayaking on lakes or calm water
 Fishing while walking along the
riverbank
 Horseback riding

*The ratio of exercise metabolic rate

One MET is defined as the energy expenditure for sitting quietly, which for the average adult approximates 3.5 ml of oxygen
uptake per kilogram of body weight per minute (1.2 kcal/min for a 70-kg individual). For example, 2- MET activity requires
two times the metabolic energy expenditure of sitting quietly.
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/physical/pdf/PA_Intensity_table_2_1.pdf accessed February 6, 2014

 Psycho-Emotional Benefits
Engaging in outdoor recreational activities helps people to rest, de-stress or
unwind, and feel revitalized. In fact, some research showed that too much artificial
stimulation and time spent in purely human environments can cause exhaustion and
loss of vitality and health (Katcher & Baeck, 1987; Stilgoe, 2001).
Lastly, outdoor recreational activities contribute to one’s personal and
spiritual growth. It allows an individual to discover his/her inner spirit and sense of
self, creating new behaviors and identity.

 Social Benefits
Outdoor activities are ways for families to become closer. They can be a
“family-bonding activity” as each family member participates in an activity, achieves
a common goal, and goes through the same experience.
Outdoor recreation also promotes stewardship. Activities done outdoors in
the natural setting help in making people realize the great things that nature
provides mankind.

 Economic Benefits
People who have a relaxed body and mid tend to be more productive at work.
This translates into efficiency at the workplace.It has been rewarding for the local
folks as ecotourism in the country created jobs and other economic activities which
have, one way or another, contributed to our economic growth.
  Spiritual Benefits
Positive outdoor experiences can stir up spiritual values. Being one with
nature brings certain calmness within a person. It strengthens an individual
as it heals, rejuvenates, and soothes the body and soul.

The “Leave No Trace Seven Principles” is a set of universal outdoor ethics that guides one
in the activities to do with nature. It also provides the framework for making decisions in
outdoor recreation.

The Leave No Trace Seven Principles

Principle 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare

 Before going to a place, check if your planned activity is permitted. Make sure to
know the rules, guidelines, and safety procedures they have set. Some places require
certain permits or clearances.
 Make sure you have the needed equipment for your activity and the skills needed to
undertake the activity.
 Plan how to cope in case emergency arises.
 Check the weather forecast and be prepared for changing weather conditions.
 Learn when areas are most crowded and try to avoid those times.
 To minimize environmental impact and for safety reasons, keep group numbers
small.
 Repack food to minimize waste.
 When trekking, maps and compass must be used to avoid markings or leaving of
marks on rocks and the like.

Principle2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

 Walk, run, bike, or camp on durable surfaces like established tracks, rocks, gravel,
and dry grasses.
 Avoid walking on soft surfaces like soft plants. You might be trampling on on a
young tree or pasture and this will cause vegetation damage.
 Use existing trails or campsite, no need to build a new campsite that will alter the
environment.
 To avoid erosion, walk in single file in the middle of the trail.
 Avoid places where impacts are just beginning show.
 When camping, keep the campsite small and discreet.
 Camp at least 200 feet from lakes and rivers to protect the waters.
Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly

 “Pack it in pack it out” means everything you brought should be brought back with
you including left-over food or fruit peel. Nothing should be left.
 When camping, cat holes are dug (6-8 inches) for human waste and covered just the
same with soil and weeds or leaves on top.
 Dishes should be washed 200 feet away from lakes or rivers and use biodegradable
soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Principle 4: Leave What you Find

 Examine archeological structures, old walls, and other heritage artifacts but do not
touch nor leave marks on them.
 Leave nature as you found them. Do not take any plant, rock, plants, or marine
animal with you.
 Avoid introducing non-native plants and animals.
 Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impacts

 Use lightweight stove for cooking; campfires can cause lasting impacts.
 If fires are permitted, use fire rings or mound fires that are already set-up.
 Keep fires small and use only sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
 No burning of plastics or other substances that emit toxic fumes.
 Burn all wood to ash and make sure fires are completely out. Scatter the cool ash.

Principle 6: Respect Wildfire

 Observe wild animals from a distance and they should be avoided during sensitive
times such as mating, nesting, or raising the young.
 Do not feed wild animals or birds as it is not their natural food. The food might
damage their health or alter their natural behaviors and even expose them to
predators.
 Protect wildlife and protect your food as well by storing and securing the trash well.
 In case you decide to bring your pets along, make sure it is allowed and you can
control them. Otherwise, do not bring them with you.

Principle 7: Be Considerate of Other Visitors

 Respect people who live and work in the countryside.

 Respect other visitors and let them have a momentous experience as well.
 Allow the sound of nature to prevail, not your noise or your radio.
  Be courteous; yield to others on a trail.
 Camp away from trails and other visitors.

References :

Book

Aparato, Conrado R. , Brebante , Zyra Ruth Talaroc, Callo, Lualhati Fernando and Dajime,
Peter Fermin. RBS Physical Education and Health (Volume II) Published, copyrighted 2017,
and distributed by Rex Book Store, Inc. (RBSI) with main office at 856 Nicanor Reyes Sr.,
Sampaloc, Manila / Tel. Nos.: 735-1364, 736-0567