outdoor recreation

• Recreation is derived from the Latin word recreare which means to be refreshed
• 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.
• 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
• Improves your mental well-being - Your mental well-being 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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%.
• 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.
• Reduces anxiety - 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.
• 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
• Boosts your immunity - Morning sunlight boosts your Vitamin D levels. The more Vitamin D your body gets, the stronger its immune system becomes.
• 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 outdoors 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

  1. families become closer
  2. allows one to meet and interact with others who share the same passion
  3. promotes stewardship
• Spiritual Benefits of Outdoor Recreation - Being one with nature brings certain calmness within a person. It strengthens an individual as it heals, rejuvenates, and soothes the body and soul.
• Leave No Trace Seven Principles

  Principle 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare

  Principle 2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

  Principle 3: Dispose Waste Properly

  Principle 4: Leave What You Find

  Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impacts

  Principle 6: Respect Wildlife

  Principle 7: Be considerate of Other Visitors
• Principle 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare

  • check if your planned activity is permitted.
  • Make sure you have the needed equipment for your activity and the skills needed to undertake the activity.
  • Check the weather forecast and be prepared for changing weather conditions.
  • 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
  • Use existing trails or campsites, no need to build a new campsite that will alter the environment.
  • To avoid erosion, walk in a 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
• Mountaineering Etiquette

  • Dispose your trash properly.
  • Do not vandalize any possible places or living things in the mountain like a tree or a rock formation.
  • Minimize the noise like shouting and loud music especially at night
  • Pay respect to the locals, especially their customs and traditions. Greet them when you meet locals along the way.
  • Leave everything in the mountains as is. Do not take anything; just take a picture.