The Benefits of Outdoor Recreation on Human Health

Video by Ronnie Fogarty

Video by Emilio Knee

A Healthy Environment Means a Healthy You !

By: Sierra Martin

March 11, 2011

Clean water, and air are two very important aspects a human needs to live a healthy life, so why not understand to a better extent why we should work to keep these parts of our lives clean, and how we can do it. In the words of University of Michigan psychologist Rachel Kaplan “Nature matters to people. Big tees and small trees, glistening water, chirping birds. Budding bushes, colourful flowers—these are important ingredients in a good life.” (23, Kaplan)

Conserving Land

When we protect land, we protect the public’s health. In the human life, wilderness is more than just a place to look at but it’s a necessity. People may take a walk through a Provincial or National park but they do not realize that these protected areas are here for a reason. They are here so that people can understand that the wilderness is not just present in our society as a job for many of our communities (mining industries/forestry industries) but it is here as a foundation of life. People benefit so much from contact with nature that land conservation can now be viewed as a public health strategy .

The Impact on the Human Life

Although adults are greatly affected by a clean or “green” environment children are even more affected by it. Most children in today’s society are physically inactive, this is the greatest reason for chronic conditions such as childhood obesity, asthma, ADD or ADHD and many more. If children continue an inactive lifestyle, they could find themselves with a pulmonary or cardiovascular problem as they enter adulthood. All children seem to want to do is sit in front of a computer, play a video game, text there friend, or just stay in the house, but it is very important that they get out into nature because they are missing out on opportunities for physical activity, stress reduction, attention restoration, and a healthy development.

It is proven that a person who jogs through a park after a long day of stressful work is much less angry and stressed than a person who heads to an indoor gym after a long hard day of work. People have always used some aspects of nature for therapeutic reasons but there has been evidence that shows that people can recover from a surgery or cope with pain in a much better way when they are exposed to a natural environment.

Even if you are a healthy, fit person you can still benefit from nature, for example many inner-city children show a higher amount of self esteem and happiness after spending time in a rural environment.

Overall, contact with nature is a very important of a healthy life. There are still many things scientists need to research such as what kinds of nature are most beneficial to healthy, and how much contact is needed for an effect to take place. But the most important part is that we know enough to understand that it is extremely important to preserve land so that humans can continue to live a healthy lifestyle.

The Future

We need to promote land conservation to today’s society not only for ourselves but for the people of the future. Since the society seems to have an increasing to urban areas, we need to start to envision and plan “green” cities, where the habitants have nearby parks and green space to enjoy. Conservation of land is important to this idea because these “green” spaces will promote our health, enhance out well-being and nourish our spirits.

Winter Camp Reflection: Robin

For our PAD30/40 class this was our first overnight trip and a test for most of us. I don’t know about everyone else but this was my first camping trip in February, and definitely my first time to sleep in a quinzhee. But before we did that we had a lovely 6 kilometre walk.

Six kilometres seems like a lot when you think about it but when you start walking it’s easier than you I thought it would be. Time flew by with the amazingly good weather and the good company to speed up the walk. I wasn’t rushing, I was treating the journey as a leisurely hike more than a class assignment. Arriving at Gaug Lake was the worst, when you’re at one end and you can see the distance for your destination, it makes the walk seem much longer than it was.

During our preparation for this camp we went to Gaug Lake earlier in the week and dug out a common area for a fire place, as well, our teacher, Mr. Martin, and a few students cut fire wood over the weekend making it much easier to quickly get a fire going for lunch. Lunch was very good, nothing like roasting a good smokie over a fire and having a good break from the work too. We had lunch after we piled up snow for our quinzhees, making it a nice break with time for us to cool down from our work and to allow for the quinzhees to settle.

Apparently 2 of the groups didn’t let theirs settle enough, because their quinahees collapsed, luckily it was when they were hollowing it out and not while sleeping. One of my friends was underneath the snow when it fell on him, the sound and sight of the snow falling made me and a couple others start to laugh but then we realized that he might need help and quickly went to help him. When we checked he was fine, we continued on laughing, this greatly lightened the mood making the work more fun.

For supper we had Sheppard’s pie, with gravy and cheese, I’ve never had this before, the cheese on top anyway, so it was great, so good in fact I had 2 servings. After dinner we all went to sit around the fire until it got dark. I was tired and full so I went to bed fairly early.

Just as I was getting comfortable in my sleeping bag I realized I forgot to bring a pillow, this was the beginning of an almost sleepless night. I must have a curse because anytime there is an inflatable mattress that I am sleeping on it will deflate, and mine did just that leaving me to sleep on the hard packed and uneven snow. The cold wasn’t that bad; with the sleeping bags, long johns, and the shelter it was warm enough. I think I drank too much water before bed because I had to pee something bad, but I didn’t want to wake anyone else up so I bid my time and waited and waited. This was a bad idea; it just kept me up, by around 5 in the morning I could take it no longer and went to the area designated for urinating but in the process the dogs started barking. So much for not trying to wake anyone up!

For breakfast we had oatmeal, which was a very simple and good breakfast that also allowed us to eat it quickly and pack up for the walk back. The walk back seemed much longer than the one going to Gaug Lake but when I saw the school I knew the trip was over.

Other than probably the worst sleep of my life, this trip was awesome and I think it was like a dry run for the other longer trips in this class. I would do this trip again anytime but next time I’ll remember to bring a pillow.

Winter camp reflection-Josh

This week on Tuesday and Wednesday our Outdoor education class was finally able to make the trek out to Gaug Lake for our first camp, the winter camp. With supplies on our backs and snowshoes on our feet we began the approximately 2 hour hike out to the lake at 9:00 am on Tuesday. After a few breaks we made it to the lake as well as our camp site and began to set up for the night. After placing our gear off to the side we cleared the central area and began construction on our quinzhees. After pilling the snow we took a break for lunch. This 2 hour break would also provide enough time to let the snow for our quinzhees settle, making it much easier for when we began to dig them out. This digging out of our quinzhees proved not only to be the longest part of camp set up, but also one of the most enjoyable in my opinion. Once we moved our sleeping gear into the quinzhees we gathered around the fire and ate our dinner. When that was finished the only thing left to do was converse with our classmates until we got tired and went to bed. Waking up the next day we ate our breakfast, repacked our gear, had a blast breaking our quinzhees, and started the hike back to the school at about 1:00 pm. I found this hike to be easier than the first since I was now used to it.

By far my favourite part of this trip was the construction and subsequent destruction of our sleeping arrangements. It may not sound like it, but building quinzhees is actually rather fun to do. Another favourite of mine was the food. Until this week I never thought eating oatmeal at 20 below could be that enjoyable, until the oatmeal got cold that is. Another very great, and probably overlooked, part of this trip was just being able to sit, eat and talk with friends around the camp fire, definitely a good night. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that my clothing system worked great, I never got cold nor did I sweat, a definite victory for me.

Unfortunately, there were some aspects of this winter camp that I fount not to my liking. Sleeping was slightly uncomfortable in the quinzhees, the temperature in my sleeping bag was satisfactory but the sleeping platform we carved out was uneven in a lot of places. I think we could have avoided this if we waited just a bit longer for the snow to set before constructing our quinzhees. That would have made the snow more uniform and less likely to moving around when we were shaping the inside.

To conclude it all I thought this was a great experience. If I were ever offered the chance to do it again then I would not hesitate to take that chance. Even though the night was a rather sleepless one everything else that happened redeemed this experience by far. The ability for the class to work together so well during the construction of our quinzhees and the preparation/clean up of dinner also made our winter camp a great one.

Las Vegas Summary

After a year of waiting my trip to Las Vegas had finally come. I was amazed with all the flashing colourful lights and all of the glamerous places there were to see. Vegas gave me many opportunities and experiences, it brought me many pleasent and also many unpleasent memories. It was crazy and i felt like i belonged in a movie.

Three planes and many hours of waitng felt well worth it when i woke up the next morning in Vegas. It didn't matter where you looked there was always something to see. We started are adventure by touring all the different hotels. The Venetian had a river inside with gondolas and 3D celings , The Belagio was a ritzy palace with a water show every fifteen minutes. Every hotel had its own unique aspects and were created by Steven Wynn. I was told Stev Wynn strived to outdue himself with every design. These places were jaw dropping!

The next day was quite exciting however, not in the way you are probably thinking. My sisters and I decided to leave the restaurant that was located beside are hotel early to drop of a days worth of shopping bags. We were taking are time and joking around when i hear a knock at the door. I was going to open the door right away thinking it was my dad but for some reason i decided to peek in the eye hole. What i saw staring at me was an unfamiliar male . I immediately told him he had the wrong room. His response startled me when he said he figured i was going to say that in the harshest tone i have ever heard. Thats when hell broke loose. we never spoke a word after that. He screamed threats at us, called us names, said he was going to be in are room in two seconds and that he could hear us crying and that we better be scared and he repeatidly punched and kicked are door trying to get in. At one point he even tried to get a maid to let him in telling her it was his room. We were petrafied and are texts messages to are dad weren't going through so Mariah called the front desk in a panic. 20 minutes of this continuous behaviour and security finally came up, as did my dad. Lets just say things didn't go over so well and my dad wasn't impressed at all.

Day three turned out better for us my aunt and uncle joined us to a fancy meal and a terrific show by Circ De Selai. The show was called Le Reve which means The dream in english. I have never seen anything like it in my life! It consisted of acting, singing, had fire, water and smoke. All of the actors/actresses were acrobats and throughout the entire show they did flips, spins and jumps. It kept us entertained and is something we still talk about today.

The fourth day was my cousins wedding and it was very exciting especially because it was my first time being a bridesmaid. They made their wedding extra special by placing the date on my cousins husbands deceased brothers birthday. He was supposed to be the best man and they wanted to include him. After the ceremony we released baloons. I knew that Steven was with us and that he was just as happy for them as i was. At the reception there was many speeches, some made us laugh while others made us cry. I felt like i got to know them better when listening to stories there family and friends shared. We danced all night in the beautifully decorated hall and it turned into a wonderful cluster of memories i will never forget.

The following day after the wedding a gang of us went to Old Las Vegas Blvd to check out the light show and the zipline. Drama seemed to follow us there, outside of a souvenier shop a guy came up to us and started singing to the baby, he was pretty good and some of my group gave him a couple bucks to keep going. The store owner came outside and started freaking out telling the guy that he didnt want people like him outside his store " god knows what your going to do". The guy said he wasnt going to do anything and tried to ignore him but the store owner wouldnt give up and before we knew it the owner had wipped out pepper spray intending to get the guy but ending up getting all of us. Security and the Las Vegas police showed up we were witnesses/victims and had to write statements. Never thought i would have to deal with the police twice in one week! Do you belive me now when i say Vegas is crazy!?

Las Vegas was fun and an eye opener. I loved being there with my family, everyone really enjoyed themselves and it gave us a chance to catch up and reconnect.I loved my surroundings and the opportunities.We hit a rocky road but if it wasnt for those situations this summary wouldve been pretty boring and i wouldnt have come back with these unbeliveable stories! Would i go back to Vegas? Deffinitly but i think ill wait until im a little older.

Wintercamp Reflection: Scott Jackson

Our winter camp experience began on February 22^nd at approximately 9:00 A.M. and ended the next day February 23^rd at approximately 1:00 P.M. Our group set out to the lake at 9:00 A.M. on snowshoe through the bush trails uphill for approximately 2 hours. Once we got to camp, we unloaded our gear bags and began to construct our quinzees. After we piled up the snow, we ate lunch and waited for the quinzees for about 2 hours before we hollowed them out. We then kept the fire going and set up our sleeping gear in the quinzees. After we ate dinner we sat around the fire for a couple hours and then slept for the remainder of the night. The next day we packed up and hiked back to the high school.

The wintercamp experience was both fun and exciting and was an excellent learning experience for me because I have never before camped during the winter. The hike up to the lake was enjoyable because of the scenery and the challenge of hiking up the hill. The hike would have been much more enjoyable if I had remembered to pack my water bottle, however I was able to make it to the lake without becoming too thirsty. I learned that for camping excursions like this one require a lot more food and water than I had brought. My clothing layers where very useful due to the change in wind and temperature throughout the course of the day. I also learned how to construct a proper quinzee, though it could have sat for another hour or two because of the conditions of the snow. I learned that when I push myself I can accomplish any challenging task that is presented to me. I also learned that the hike came easier to me than I expected it to and would have been a more enjoyable experience than a daunting one if I had my water prepared for the trip. I learned valuable skills that can be used for a survival condition In the bush such as, building a winter shelter, retaining body heat, keeping hydrated and well fed, and in extreme cases; learning how to make a hypothermia rap.

My favourite part of the trip was digging out the quinzee and also sitting around the fire learning a bit about all of my classmates that I will spend time with on excursions like this one throughout the rest of the semester. I generally enjoyed every element of the trip with the exception of the sleeping. It was a cold night but after a while the sleeping bag begins to feel very warm and comfortable. However the sleep was uncomfortable due to the rough sleeping platform in the quinzee. This could have easily been solved if the quinzee had another hour or two to set. The food was very enjoyable as well as the time we had to spend with ourselves.

Some things I would change would be preparations for the camping trip such as packing more water and food as well as bringing more comfortable footwear for the trip. I would also allow the quinzee more time to sit so that it would be more stable. I would also bring extra liners instead of extra boots because my extra pare did not fit me very well and were uncomfortable.

I would enjoy having another trip like this one tenfold. It was very enjoyable with the group activities that we engaged and the time we spent talking and laughing around the fire. The scenery was also magnificent. I am excited for the next time we go out for our next learning experience.

Winter Camp

On February 22nd the Outdoor Ed class took off snowshoeing at approximately 9 o'clock a.m. We pushed ourselves to complete the 2 hour walk to our destination on Gaug lake. After the exhausting walk, groups were formed to begin making the quinzees. After building up the snow in the area of our choice, we needed to wait a couple of hours, to let the snow freeze. Finally when it was time to dig out the quinzees, my groups sadly caved in and we needed to go with plan B. In the end we ended up making a different kind of shelter to sleep in, with the help of Mr.Martin. The class left on snowshoes once again the next day, with another 2 hour journey back to the High School.

I learned many things on this trip. I learnt that I am able to handle winter conditions better than I expected to. I also learned that things don't always work out according to plan, hence when my quinzee collapsed. I do not usually like being outside for long periods of time during the winter, although if you are prepared for the changing weather conditions, and bring proper food and water to keep hydrated, it can be a fun experience.

On the trip I really enjoyed just relaxing and talking with my friends. I also loved the food, and had fun building my quinzee. Just being outside, and having a good time with everyone, made it all worth while. The food was enjoyable, and I learnt that the food doesn't need to be plain just because you're out camping. You are able to have a well balanced meal, if you bring the right kitchen utensils, and have a nice fire going.

Would I change anything next time? Honestly, no, I don't think so. I brought enough clothing and was warm the entire trip. The food was great, and was very enjoyable. Maybe the only thing I would change next time, would be the location. I found the walk extremely long, and I was really sore after it. I would of preferred a shorter walk.

I would definitely do this again, without doing it for marks. Being outside, and not stuck at home watching t.v or being on my laptop, felt good. I was able to spend quality time with my classmates, and we were satisfied by enjoying each others company.

The over night winter camp was a great experience, and I would do it over and over again if I could! This trip prepared me for future camping adventures with the class, and I can't wait to go again!

My Winter Camp Reflection

Our PAD30/PAD40 class had the chance to undergo an experience that was not only very fun but educational as well. Our winter camp snowshoed off on February 22nd at around 9:00 a.m and then came to an end February 23rd at roughly 1:00p.m. The expedition consisted of many different activities that were both challenging and enjoyable.

The day started off snowshoeing from our High School to Gaug Lake an approximate two-hour walk, which seemed shorter than it is because it really does help to have your friends with you. Almost as soon as we got there we started piling up snow for our quinzhees, which I found, was not as bad as you would think. During the two hours of letting the snow settle, the second year students started cooking up supper for the whole class. It was nice to feed everyone because I know everyone was hungry from the work we’ve done so far. After supper we decided to finally dig out our quinzhees, although it didn’t seem to take our group very long it was a very delicate and very fun procedure. At last our quinzhees were done, we took a break around the campfire to warm up and socialize with one another. I decided to set my sleeping bags and mattresses up after that. The day went so quickly by the time we knew it, it was time to get some sleep. The sleep was very interesting, having to sleep in a very dark place in the winter which was kind of creepy but exciting nonetheless.

The next day started off at around 8-9a.m. it was a little slow moving but everyone started packing up their gear. After everyone was finished packing we began to eat breakfast which felt really good in our stomachs. Later on after a look around of trash or anything left behind we headed off once again leaving our campsite and back to our school.

From the experience I’ve learned that working with all of your friends can make achieving anything much easier and much more enjoyable. I’ve also learned how to dress properly for sleeping and working in the outdoors during the winter conditions. I also know that food and water play a huge roll for working in the winter, you do not want to be dehydrated or starved while working all your muscles consistently. The parts I enjoyed the most about our winter camp would be the reward of getting to our destination; the feeling of pushing yourself to make it to the end is very rewarding and seems like a great self-esteem booster. On the down side though getting wet was not very comfortable at all, although I did bring extra pairs of almost everything, getting wet does not feel comfortable in the cold.

I would definitely do this great outdoor experience again; it was great to be around people you love to be around, working hard, helping each other when in need of assistance, and getting along with one another. When you are out with a group of people on a trip like this one you need to take care of one another and I’m glad to be a part of this very considerate and pleasant group. The only thing I would change about this winter camp is the time we spent out there; it would be really great to spend another day.