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 the common factor among them? Answering these questions will
lead to answering what outdoor recreation is all about. Were your answers the same or close to the following?

- Done during vacation or school break

- They want to have fun
- Done outdoors with nature

Putting the answers together, outdoor recreation is an organized activity done during one's free time for his/her
reasons, where an interaction between man and an 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 able to do so because of the "lack of time", such as continuing a project or
undone homework, or perhaps, going out with friends to watch a movie. A day can be divided into three (3) parts
according to Clayne R. Jensen (2006): the existence time, subsistence time, and free time. Existence time is time 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,
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 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 in this
discussion, includes the natural environment and resources which comprises the land, water, wildlife, vegetation, open
space, and scenery. The outdoors may be in its 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.

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 pursuits
such as photography, collecting seashells, reaching the top of Mt. Apo, conquering the rapids of the Cagayan River, or
attaining a fitness level. Some individuals or groups do it as part of outdoor or environmental education, such as bird-
watching, plant naming, etc. whatever reason they may be, people engage in outdoor recreational activity for their own
sake and pleasure, voluntarily, and of their own choice.

What are the different outdoor recreational activities?

The Philippines is rich in natural resources. Despite being a relatively small country, it is surrounded by all kinds
of land formations and natural water resources. It has been listed in The World Factbook (Maps of World, n.d.) as having
the fifth (5th) 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 Parasailing

Trekking/Hiking Snorkeling Skydiving

Camping Diving Paragliding

Backpacking Surfing

Picnic Canoeing

Bird-watching Kayaking

Mountain Biking 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 experience outdoor activities.
However, there is more to it than just the fun. Studies have shown that being close to the natural environment is healthy.
Aside from the fresh air and the amazing sight of nature, the outdoors has 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.

Health Benefits of Outdoor Recreation

1. Improves your mental wellbeing

Your mental wellbeing greatly improves when you exercise outdoors. One of the reasons for this is the
awareness that your mind has throughout the exercise, particularly with the changing terrain and weather.

Unlike in the gym where the floors are flat and benches evenly positioned, the terrain outdoor includes winding
paths, hills, woods, and valleys. You are forced to be focused and alert at all times and that alone benefits your mental
health.

The mental health benefits of being outside, in general, are exponential and there is an array of options for you
to choose to spend your time doing.

2. Best way to get Vitamin D

Your bones and blood cells need a lot of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D for them to be healthy. Working out
under the sunlight helps your body to absorb these minerals seamlessly. Also, getting 5-15 minutes of sun at least once
every two days gives your body all the Vitamin D it needs.

3. Boosts self-esteem

Your self-esteem increases exponentially when you spend time with friends doing different outdoor activities.
This effect is particularly strong when you spend time near water, green areas, and within sounds of nature such as
waterfalls.

Walking along nature trails, fishing, and gardening, among other moderate- intensity physical activities, are
important for your esteem as well. Playing with paintball guns or laser guns is another worthy activity as it gives you a
renewed sense of accomplishment, which is a major confidence boost.

4. Promotes memory

Nature walks have shown a significant relevance in memory retention among humans. Walking around trees, for
example, promotes your memory by more than 20%

5. Stress-reduction effects

Cortisol - The hormone that indicates the level of stress in humans- reduces greatly when you spend time in the
forest, say, watching birds and taking part in low-intensity outdoor activities. Camping in the woods, for example, is a far
much better activity than spending time in the city, especially for people who suffer from anxiety.

It has also been scientifically proven that people who spend more time in the wild have a better heart rate than
those who spend hours sitting in front of screens or city traffic.

6. Reduces anxiety

As we have mentioned above, something about the outside calming down an anxious mind. You will attest to this
fact even if you aren't fond of going out -you have experienced the calming nature of Mother Nature even if it is through
a house plant or pictures of nature.

Many offices nowadays have nature wall arts hanging on office walls as a way of calming down angry, stressed,
and anxious employees. If that works, then you can imagine the significance of being in the presence of that waterfall or
mountain you see in office wall art.

Nevertheless, if you continue having anxieties and the episodes don't stop, you can hire the services of a life
coach training who can provide assistance and help you find calmness.
7. Improves the quality of your sleep

Your sleep cycle is dependent on the accurateness of your internal clock. If the clock isn't working right, then you
will have a hard time regulating your night's sleep.

The clock works right when the cells in your eyes get enough sunlight during the day, particularly before mid-day.

That is why you need to be out as many minutes as possible in the morning hours. This requirement becomes
more important as you get older.

8. Boosts your immunity

Morning sunlight boosts your Vitamin D levels. The more the Vitamin D your body gets, the stronger its immune
system becomes.

On top of that, being within outdoor plants helps you leverage the health benefits of the phytoncides and other
organic compounds that plants produce. These compounds boost immune function in humans.

9. Helps burn some unwanted fat

When you play outside - say, while out doing water activities, you burn tons of calories and unwanted fats. And
because being outdoor during the day helps you to sleep better, coupled with the fact that better sleep facilitates faster
weight loss, the role of outdoor time in your physical fitness can never be overemphasized.

Social Benefits of Outdoor Recreation

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 allows one 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 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 the nature are
the greatest motivation for them to care for the natural environment and advocate its preservation.

"It's more fun in the Philippines!" as the Department of Tourism slogan goes. Indeed, it is more fun as well for
everyone involved in ecotourism activities in the Philippines. It has been rewarding for the local folks as ecotourism in
our country created jobs and other economic activities which have, one way or another, contributed to our economic
growth.

Spiritual Benefits of Outdoor Recreation

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.

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 conserving 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 generation has.
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. Taken from the Leave No Trace Center
for Outdoor Ethics official website, the principles are as follows:

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 when 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 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 to show.
- When camping, keep the campsite small and discreet.
- Camp at least 200 feet from the lakes and rivers to protect the waters.

Principle 3: Dispose 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 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 Wildlife

- Observe wild animals from a distance and they should be avoided during sensitive times such as mating, nesting,
or rising 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 prevail, not your noise or radio.
- Be courteous; yield to others on a trail.
- Camp away from trails and other visitors.