NATURE and BACKGROUND of OUTDOOR RECREATION

Clayne R. Jensen is a pioneer in the field of outdoor recreation.

According to Clayne R. Jensen, a day is divided into three (3) categories:

EXISTENCE TIME is the time spent for biological need like having a meal, sleeping, and other personal
care; while

SUBSISTENCE TIME is the time spent for economic purposes like going to work, doing chores, and for
students, hours spent in school, and school work.

On the other hand FREE TIME is the remaining time after spending existence time and subsistence time.
Free time is spent depending on the time is the best time to do recreational activities, to relax and to
rejuvenate.

RECREATION – latin word “recreare” which means “refreshed”; something that people do to relax, enjoy
or have fun

- It is a universal need of man; it is the expenditure of time with an intent to gain some refreshment,
breaks the monotony and a diversion from the daily routine; something that is stimulating and
rejuvenating for an individual, expanding the mind and body in a positive and healthy way.

- Characteristics of Recreation

a. Recreation is done voluntarily – own sake and pleasure, own choice free will to do recreational
activities b. Recreation is performed during free time – should not be in conflict with other tasks or
responsibilities c. Recreation is for social, emotional, and spiritual connection.

d. Recreation is a reward – the benefits one can derive from these activities like fitness, self fulfillment or
satisfaction, promotion of friendship and camaraderie

e. Recreation is flexible – can be organized or unorganized.

f. Recreation is a Problem-solver

g. Recreation is not a single form – can engage and choose in different recreational activities depending
on one’s preference

h. Recreation is an activity – whether it be passive or active

CLASSIFICATIONS of RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

1. Spectator type – people spend their time watching an event instead of doing the activity and derive
enjoyment from it

2. Participant type – people do not gain enjoyment merely by watching but they enjoy by joining the
activity

3. Active Type – people have to function effectively in performing the action

4. Passive Type – people have no excessive movement in performing the task or action

5. Physical Activity – People exert efforts and bodily functions in performing the action

6. Mental Activity – The mind is doing the functions with less body movement

7. Indoor Recreational Activities 8. Outdoor recreational Activities

OUTDOOR – space outside an enclosed area, this includes the natural environment and resources which
comprises the land water, wildlife, vegetation, open space, and scenery; may it be in their natural state
or semi natural state (had gone through some human modification but has retained its natural features

OUTDOOR RECREATION refers to leisure pursuits engaged in the outdoors, often in natural or semi-
natural settings out of town. It may also refer to a team sport game or practice held in an outdoor
setting. It is sometimes referred to as adventure recreation when it involves excitement, physical
challenge or risk such as in rafting or climbing

Its two primary purposes are:

a. Beneficial use – related to physical and social rewards that goal-directed activity instills in individual
or groups

b. pleasurable appreciation – let in on nature’s show (to connect with nature and enhance perceptual
and or spiritual life by finding peace in nature, enjoying life and relaxing)
EXAMPLES OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

LAND WATER AIR

✓Mountaineering ✓ Swimming ✓ Parasailing

✓ Trekking/Hiking ✓ Snorkeling ✓ Skydiving
✓ Camping ✓ Diving ✓ Paragliding
✓ Backpacking ✓ Surfing
✓ Picnic ✓ Canoeing
✓ Bird-watching ✓ Kayaking
✓ Mountain Biking ✓ Whitewater
✓ Orienteering rafting
✓ Canyoneering
✓ Sailing
✓ Rock Climbing
✓ Fishing
✓ Bamboo
Rafting
BENEFITS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES http://eixampliada.com/womens-holistic-health-coach/

A. PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS

✓ Breaks the monotony of activities and prevents a person from having a sedentary lifestyle.
✓ Helps people to be on the move (to get the heart pumping and bigger muscles to move)
✓ Helps promote cardiovascular and muscular fitness.
✓ Improve function of the immune50%
✓ With exposure to the sun, Vitamin D level increases which may protect a person from
osteoporosis, cancer, heart attack and stroke.
✓ Pain decreases and healing improves.

B. PSYSCHO-EMOTIONAL BENEFITS
✓ Mood improves and stress is reduced (exposure to natural light helps improve a person’s
mood) ✓ Concentration improves
✓ Helps people to rest, relax de-stress or unwind and feel revitalized or rejuvenated.
✓ Improves self-esteem, confidence and creativity (a sense of feeling good whenever one
achieves the goal of a particular activity

C. SOCIAL BENEFITS
✓ More social interaction that helps develop lasting relationships that are important part in
developing connectedness (sense of belongingness) an overall mental health
✓ Develop social skills that leads to the development of proper conduct and behaviors and social
graces

D. ECONOMIC BENEFITS
✓ Efficiency at the workplace – people with relaxed body and mind tend to be more productive
at work
✓ Ecotourism – creation of more jobs and contribution to economic growth

E. SPIRITUAL BENEFITS
✓ Brings certain calmness within a person.
✓ Allows an individual to discover his/her inner spirit and sense of self, creating new behaviors
and identity
 THE LEAVE NO TRACES SEVEN PRINCIPLES
- - A set of universal outdoor ethics that guides one in the activities to do with nature; it provides
framework for making decisions in outdoor recreation

PRINCIPLE 1: Plan and prepare

• Before going to a place, check if your planned activities are allowed/permitted. Know the rules and
guidelines regulations, and safety procedures they have set. Some require permits or clearances.

• Make sure you have the needed equipment for your activity and skills needed to undertake the activity
• Check the weather forecast and prepare for changing weather conditions

• Learn where areas are most crowded and try to avoid those times

• Keep group numbers small to minimize environmental impact and for safety reasons.

• 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.

PRINCIPLE 2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

• Use existing trails or campsites, no need to build a new campsite that will alter the environment

• 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 a young tree or pasture and
this will cause vegetation damage

• To avoid erosion, walk in single file in the middle of the trail

• Avoid places where impacts are just beginning to show

• When camping, keep the campsite small and discreet

• Camp at least 200 feet from lakes and rivers to protect the waters