Nature and

Background
of Outdoor
Recreation
What is outdoor recreation?
 
Consider the following activities: bird-watching, caving or spelunking, camping, and
snorkeling. When and why do people engage in the mentioned activities? What is a common
factor among them? Answering these questions will lead to answering what outdoor
recreation is all about.
 
 done during vacation or school break
 they want to have fun
 done outdoor with nature
 
Putting the answers together, outdoor recreation is organized activities done during
one’s free time for his/her own personal reasons, where an interaction between man and
element of nature is present.
 
Let us break down the ideas to have a common understanding of the terms. When
we hear “free time,” what does it mean to you as a student? “No classes” easily come to mind
and consequently will be able to use the “free time” to do things which you want to do but
have been unable to do so because of the “lack of time,” such as continuing of project or
undone homework, or perhaps, going out with friends to watch a movie. A day can be divided
into three parts according to Clayne R. Jensen (2006): the existence time, subsistence time
and free time. Existence time is spent for biological needs like having a meal, sleeping and
other personal care. Subsistence time refers to the hours spent for economic purposes such
as going to work, chores, and for students, hours spent in school, and school work. Free time,
therefore, is all the remaining time after. How one decides to spend free time varies from
person to person. Perhaps, to those who have been very busy with workload or schoolwork,
this is the best time to do recreational activities, to relax and to rejuvenate.
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
be 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 jogger, and a
place to commune with nature or meditate for others.
 
The outdoor in a broad sense is a space outside an enclosed area. Narrowing it
down, outdoors, as used it I this discussion, includes the natural environment and resources
which comprises the land, water, wildlife, vegetation, open space and scenery. The outdoors
may be in their most natural state or “semi-natural” state, which is where it had gone
through some human modification but has retained its natural features.
 
People engage in outdoor recreational activities for varied reasons. Some do it
for personal satisfaction and enjoyment. Perhaps, it is a time away from the day-to-day
routine. Others do it to be in touch with nature, which they rarely have the chance to do,
especially for those who reside in highly urbanized areas. Many do it for personal pursuit
such as photography, collecting sea shells, reaching the top of Mt. Apo, conquering the
rapids of Cagayan River, or attaining a certain fitness level. Some individuals or groups do it
as part of outdoor or environmental education, such as bird-watching, planting naming etc.
Whatever reason there may be, people engage in outdoor recreational activity for their own
sake and pleasure, voluntarily, and of their own choice.
 
In this unit, different outdoor recreational activities will be presented and
discussed with the aim of encouraging you to start living a more active lifestyle that will
contribute to your overall wellness.
 
 BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION
What are the different outdoor recreational activities?
 
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 Air

Mountaineering
Swimming
Trekking/Hiking
Snorkeling
Camping
Diving
Backpacking
Surfing
Picnic Parasailing
Kayaking
Bird watching Skydiving
Canoeing
Mountain biking Paragliding
Whitewater rafting
Orienteering
Sailing
Canyoneering
Fishing
Rock climbing
Bamboo rafting
What are the benefits of outdoor recreation?
 
Fun and pleasure are perhaps the immediate answers of the majority
who have experienced outdoor activities. However, there is more to it than just the
fun. Studies have shown that being close to natural environment is healthy. Aside
form the fresh air and the mazing sight of nature, the outdoors have positive
effects on the general wellness of an individual most especially if it is done with
regularity. Wellness encompasses the general state of a person (physical, social,
psycho-emotional and spiritual) and in the end contributes to a better quality of life.
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. With the surge of electronic gadgets, more and
more people (children and adults alike) are unconsciously getting stuck
with a sedentary life, contented with playing their computer games,
tablets or cellphones or watching television for hours. Green space is now
called “screen space.” Unknowingly, a great part of their day was spent Moderate activity Vigorous activity
 Walking at a brisk pace of 3-4.5  Walking – 5 mph of faster
sitting or lying down with gadgets in their hands. The outdoors is a great mph  Jogging or running
distraction form these gadgets. It helps people to be on the move. It  Hiking  Climbing briskly up a hill
gets their heart pumping and their bigger muscles at work. Such  Biking with level terrain or few  Backpacking
hills (5-9)  Mountain climbing
movements expend energy, promote cardiovascular and muscular fitness,  Recreational swimming  Rock climbing
and improve the function of the immune system. In fact, the physical  Snorkeling  Rappelling
 Aquatic aerobics  Mountain biking
activities done in outdoor recreation may range from average to vigorous
 Water skiing
levels of intensity. Many people have documented the benefits of staying  Canoeing (at less than 4 mph)
active that include reduced obesity, reduced risk diseases, enhanced  Surfing (board and body)
 Sailing
immune system, and increased life expectancy.  Kayaking on lakes or cam water
 Fishing while walking along the
riverbank
 Horse riding
Psycho-Emotional Benefits
 
Engaging in outdoor recreational activities helps people to rest, relax, de-
stress or unwind, and feel revitalized. In fact, some researched showed that too much
artificial stimulation and time spent in purely human environments can cause exhaustion
and loss of vitality and health (catcher & Baeck, 1987; Stilgoe, 2001).

Nature has its own way of positively distracting a stressed mind and
calming it down. As Kuo and Sullivan (2001) explained it, ‘natural setting and stimuli such
as landscape and animals seem to effortlessly engage our attention, allowing us to attend
without paying attention. “This alone helps reduce stress and prevents some cases of
depression nad anxiety.
 
Being outdoors also improves our self-esteem, confidence and creativity.
There is a sense of “feeling good” whenever one achieves the goal in a particular activity
such as reaching the peak of a mountain or learning a skill of paddling in canoeing.
 
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. A person identifies with the activities that he/she
does such that he/she becomes “biker,” ”diver,” and “mountaineer.” The, That individual
identifies more with who he/she is at work. In the end, engaging in these activities
contributes to satisfaction in life and makes happier.
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.
Spending time outdoors also allows to meet and interact
with others who share the same passion for outdoor
recreation. Participating in a team will help form lasting
friendship and develop a community. Outdoor recreation
also promotes stewardship. Activities done outdoors in the
natural setting help in making people realize the great
things that nature provides mankind. Increased knowledge
and appreciation help them understand how personal
actions can strongly affect the environment. Thus, people’s
feelings and connection with nature are the greatest
motivation for them to care for the natural environment
and advocate for its preservation.
 
 
Economic Benefits
 
People have relaxed body and mind tend to
be more productive at work. This translates into efficiency
at the work place. “Its more Fun in the Philippines!” as the
department of Tourism slogan goes. Indeed, it is more fun
s well for everyone involved in ecotourism activities in the
Philippines. It has been rewarded 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.
 
 
Does one need to be athletic to be able to participate in outdoor activities?

Outdoor recreation involves a lot of physical activity, but it does not

require one to have athletic level of skills to be able to participate.
However, one needs to be physically fit to be able to carry out the
activity. For instance, bird-watching requires walking to be able to go to
the birds’ natural habitat and watch the birds.

Physical fitness tests are not new to students. It is usually

done in lower grades or at the start of the school year in a PE class.
Maybe, some can remember having the 3-minute step test, squats, sit and
reach test, and were asked to compute their body mass index (BMI). All of
these test were to determine one’s health and fitness level which includes
learning about cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and
endurance, flexibility, and body composition. If the last test one has taken
was a long time ago, take it again. If one has the result of his/her last
fitness test, compare the result and see if one progressed or even
regressed through time. Do not just take it aside as a requirement but
rather look at it as data that tells a person about his/her lifestyle. Foe
example, a male student with a good cardiovascular endurance can finish
one mile in under 11 minutes.
Some students love to cram to school works leaving them with lesser hours
of sleep. However, one must remember that sleep has the essential
purpose to rest the body and mind for one to able to function well the
next day. Moreover, the lack of sleep also affects eating
behavior as the hormonal system controlling the appetite is also affected,
making a sleep deprived person feel hungrier than usual. According to the
National Sleep Foundation (2015), a recommended number of sleeping
hours for young adults (18-25 years old) is 7-9 hours of sleep. However, 6
hours or 10-11 hours are just appropriate as well, but lesser than 6 hours
or over 11 hours are not appropriate for one to carry out a task the next
day. Moreover, sticking to a regular sleeping schedule, whether during
weekdays or weekend, helps established a good sleeping habit.
 
Aside from sleep, the food that the body takes in is
equally vital for a person to be fit. You have already learned in the previous
grades what a balanced diet is all about. However, good eating does not
just end on the plate. It also includes the correct eating habit, behavior,
or pattern that one has established. Have an honest assessment of how
you have been eating with the following considerations: Time, Amount and
Kind of food, Place, feelings or Emotions and Activities.
The right amount and kind of food certainly will fuel the mind and body to carry out the day-to-
day tasks. However, eating pattern and behavior matter as well. This starts with having a
regular eating time throughout the day. In a study done by Laksa et al. (2014), it showed that
among the young adults, meal regularity such as routine breakfast and dinner had strong
association with healthy dietary pattern. Eating regularly helps prevent too much hunger, which
often results in overeating the next meal. Eating in some places other than the dining table
allows you to do other things while eating. For instance, if one eats in front of the television,
then most likely, the focus will be on the tv show and not on the meal, leaving the person
unaware of how much food was consumed. Studies made by Robinson et al. (2013) have shown
that distracted eaters actually consume 10% more calories while sitting than those who are not
distracted. Further, they will also consume 25% more calories on a later meal.
 
Some people crave and, thus, do not eat for hunger but for pleasure.
Fluctuation of blood sugar level is one cause of food craving. Therefore, one way to avoid food
craving is by controlling the blood sugar level through avoiding or limiting the consumption of
sugar and processed foods and by regular exercise. Food also serves as a comfort to some who
are going through emotional problems. The best way to break food craving and emotional eating
is to look for alternative activities one loves to do so, such as talking with friends, making
crafts, or doing sports.
 
After the re-evaluation of your eating pattern, the quality of food your body
has been getting, and the number of hours of sleep you have been having, it is now time to think
of ways to become more active and live a healthier life. You may start engaging in outdoor
recreational activity as this is a great way to de-stress and feel invigorated.
 
THE LEAVE NO TRACE SEVEN PRINCIPLES

What are the important things that should be remembered when participating in
an outdoor recreational activity?
 
It has been established earlier that outdoor recreation is an
interaction between man and nature. The interaction should come with care and
respect. It is important that in using and enjoying what nature offers, an equal
responsibility in conversing and preserving it must be consciously employed by
the people. This way, everyone can continue to go back and have future
generations experience the great things in nature that the current generations
has.
 
 
 
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.
 
 
Principle 2: 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 a young tree or pasture and this will cause vegetation damage.
 Use existing trails or campsites, no need to build 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 to 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 deep) 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 stained 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
 Observe wild animals from a distance and they should be avoided
during sensitive times such as mating, nesting or raising the young.
 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 than can be
broken by hand.
 No burning of plastics or other substances that toxic fumes.
 Burn all wood to ash and make sure fires are completely out. Scatter
the cool ash.
 
 
 
 
Principle 6: Respect Wildlife
 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 others on a trail.
 Camp away from trails and other visitors.