Nature and Background of

Outdoor Recreation
According to Wikipedia, outdoor recreation or outdoor activity refers to recreation
engaged in out of doors, most commonly in natural settings. The activities that
encompass outdoor recreation vary depending on the physical environment they are
being carried out in. These activities can include fishing, hunting, backpacking, and
horse backriding — and can be completed individually or collectively. Outdoor
recreation is a broad concept that encompasses a varying range of activities and
landscapes. Did you know that the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
or Puerto Princesa Underground River was officially recorded on January 28, 2012, as
one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature? It is one of the protected areas of our country
located about 80 kilometers (50 mi) north of the city center of Puerto Princesa,
Palawan. It is the longest navigable subterranean river in the Philippines. Before this, it
has also been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

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 whohave 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-today 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.
In this unit, different outdoor recreational activities will be presented and discussed to
encourage you to start living a more active lifestyle that will contribute to your overall
wellness.

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 [Link]
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, psychoemotional, 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 or 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.

Economic Benefits of Outdoor Recreation

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