HOPE 4

Module 1

• Nature of Outdoor Recreation

• The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace
MELC: Self- assesses
health-related fitness
(HRF) status, barriers to
physical activity
assessment participation
and one's diet
OBJECTIVES:

A. Discuss the nature of outdoor

recreational;
B. Explain the seven principles of
leave no trace;
C. Observe proper behaviors
when participating in an
outdoor recreational activity
• Outdoor recreations are
organized activities done during
one’s free time for his or her
reasons, where interaction
between man and an element
of nature is present.
• Outdoor is defined as an
environment in the open air
outside of an enclosed structure
and refers to the wilderness or
natural environment.
• Recreation is taken from the
Latin word “recreare” which
means to be refreshed.
 Clayne R. Jensen (2006) divided a
day into three parts based on time:
existence time, subsistence time,
and free time .
• Existence time is defined as the time spent in
maintaining biological and physiological needs
such as having nourishing food, sleeping, and
other personal care required for the existence
of an individual.

• Subsistence time is defined as the time spent

in school and schoolwork for students, work
and chores for other individuals necessary for
earning and survival.

• Free time is defined as the time an individual

has after engaging in existence and
subsistence time. At this time, an individual
does activities that suit his or her interests.
The outdoors can have two states: natural or
seminatural. The interference of human activities in
natural space leads to a seminatural state, where apart
from a few changes, nature retains most of its features.
Here are some reasons why people engage in outdoor
recreational activities:

● for personal comfort, contentment, and pleasure

● to interact with and be in touch with nature

● for personal pursuits: taking photographs and

capturing natural beauty, hiking Mt. Pulag, white water
rafting in Cagayan de Oro, caving adventure, skydiving,
paragliding, or enhancing one’s fitness level

● for environmental or educational purposes; some

Filipinos engage in outdoor recreational activities to
study the diversity of plants, animals, and birds
Individuals participate in different outdoor recreational
activities for various reasons, but the most common
reason is that they do it for personal satisfaction and
pleasure.
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, among
others.
Psycho-Emotional Benefits
Engaging in outdoor recreational activities helps people
rest, relax, de-stress, unwind, and feel revitalized. In
fact, some research showed that too much artificial
stimulation and time spent in purely human
environments could cause exhaustion and loss of
vitality and health (Katcher & Baeck, 1987; Stilgoe,
2001).
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.
Benefits of Outdoor Recreation

Economic Benefits
People who have a relaxed body and mind tend to be
more productive at work. This translates into efficiency
at the workplace.

Spiritual Benefits
Positive outdoor experiences can stir up spiritual
values. Being one with nature brings certain calmness
to a person. It strengthens an individual as it heals,
rejuvenates, and soothes the body and soul.
ACTIVITY 1
Answer the following questions. Write your answer in long bond paper
or yellow paper to be submitted next meeting.

1. If you will be given a chance to participate in one of your preferred

outdoor recreational activity, what would it be? Where? Why? Draw or
paste a picture of your preferred outdoor recreational activity.

2. Give at least three examples of barriers why some people

would not participate in an outdoor recreation?

3. Can you consider basketball and lawn tennis as outdoor

recreational activities? Why pr why not? Justify your answer.
The Seven
Principles of
Leave No Trace
Since outdoor recreation is an interaction
between humans and nature, this interaction
should come with care and respect. It is crucial
that in using and enjoying what nature offers,
people must consciously employ an equal
responsibility in nature conservation and
preservation. This way, everyone can continue
to go back to that same place and have the
future generations experience the great things
in nature. The "Seven Principles of Leave No
Trace” are rules that guide people so that they
would plan, prepare, and go on adventures
intentionally while following outdoor ethics and
keeping the well-being of the planet Earth in
mind. These rules recommend that people
carry out appropriate activities in nature and
take part in the conservation of nature.
Principle 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare
• Poor planning and preparation can cause various
problems, cause fear and fatigue, and lead to poor
choices. Before visiting a place, make sure your
plans and activities comply with the rules, guidelines,
unique concerns, and safety procedures they have
set for the area you will visit. Check as well if you
need clearances.
• It is recommended to check if you have the required
tools and skills to engage in the activity you desire.
• Plan and prepare for potential emergency. Prepare
for extreme weather conditions and avoid visiting a
place during crowded times of the day or year.

• Make sure to minimize the activities that could hurt

the environment. Avoid visiting in large groups, and
instead, stay in small groups for safety. Avoid
marking on trees and rocks for navigating direction
during trekking, and instead use maps and
compasses.
Principle 2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
• A durable surface or existing tracks, rocks, gravel,
and dry grasses should be your choice when you
engage in walking, biking, hiking, camping, or other
outdoor activities.

• Make sure to walk on areas where there is no

vegetation. This prevents destruction and damage to
delicate plants, young trees, or pasture due to
walking or other activities.
• Prevent the building of new campsites and trails.
Instead, use the existing grounds and routes to avoid
further alteration of the natural environment. The
places where the impacts of human activities are
beginning to emerge should be avoided for camping
and picnic. Concentrate on walking on the existing
trail in a single line to prevent erosion.
• Campsites should be small, discreet, and built 200
feet from water bodies. Camping away from water
bodies should be done to protect the water bank
and water.
Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly at Appropriate Places
• People should follow the principle
"pack it in, pack it out." Wastes such as
leftover food, fruit peels, or wrappers
should not be left or disposed of on
the site. The things you brought, and
the debris generated during your
activity should be brought back.
Human wastes are deposited in
catholes dug 6 to 8 inches in depth
during camping, which is then covered
with soil and leaves. Both dishwashing
and human waste disposal should be
done at a minimum of 200 feet away
from water, camp, and trails. The soap
used for such activities should be
Principle 4: Leave What You Find and Do Not Carry Them
• People should follow the principle
"take only pictures and leave only
footprints." They should only
examine cultural or historic
structures and heritage artifacts
during the visit but not touch them
nor leave any marks on them.
Plants, rocks, marine animals, or
other natural objects should be left
in nature and should not be taken
with oneself. The introduction of
exotic species or species not
belonging to that place should be
Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impacts and Be Careful with Fire

• It is recommended to use a
lightweight stove for cooking, a
candle lantern for light, and
minimize fire as possible. In the
places where fires are permitted, it is
recommended to use fire rings and
fire pans that are already present at
the site.
• The sticks from the ground are used
for fires and should be kept small. The
wood and coal should be burnt to ash;
the fire should be put out completely,
followed by the scattering of ashes.
The burning of plastics is prohibited to
avoid toxic fumes.
Principle 6: Respect Wildlife
• Wildlife observation should be enjoyed
from a distance, and approaching or
following wildlife should be avoided.
Wildlife should not be disturbed,
especially during sensitive times such
as breeding, nesting, raising young
ones, or winter. The animals should
not be fed, as it might be harmful to
their health, result in a change in their
natural behaviours, and expose them
to predators and other dangers.
• Leaving human food and trash in the
outdoors must be avoided to protect
wildlife. Pets must be controlled when
brought along, or else it is
recommended to leave them at
Principle 7: Be Considerate of Other Visitors Visiting the Place

The quality of experience of

everyone visiting the place,
including yours, should be
taken into consideration. Be
polite to fellow travelers and
respect them. Do not talk in
loud voices or make noises,
and just enjoy the sound of
nature.
ACTIVITY 2