Programme and abstracts - GIH

Title:Dropping Out PeradventureAuthor/s:Steve Bowles, Finland.Abstract:After many years of both observation and experience, and this mixed with a fairly wideresearch of various texts (1), I would try and say that much of the adventure activity, both pastand present, is often a kind of dropping-out from certain mainstream cultures or social orders.My main examples come from mountaineering and skateboarding although many moreexamples might be reasonably put forward. I suggest that this dropping out peradventure isalso a positive thing and perhaps a necessary thing. The skateboarders are, like climbers inthe past, rather close to a kind of social anarchy. They refuse mainstream orders but remainfriendly and act in a club-type small society. They are quite the opposite to mainstreamsporting celebrities. Skateboarding is not a sport, it is, like past mountaineering anarchistsfound, a way of life. In this we may view a participative democracy in the making. Also analienating representative democracy critiqued. In this we might find some kind of educationalvalue in terms of democracy itself. We will certainly find food for thought when so much of thisoutdoor adventure work wants to find funding through the satisfaction of various ideologicalsystems whereby a mainstream social order is supported rather than any local activist andinformal club. I will also bring out, in this paper-discussion, just how we can appreciate theseskateboarders and climbers in terms of non-violent protest. In fact I will go on to claim thatskateboarders and climbers have a special code of ethics which might shame big sportingcelebrities. If I get a chance I might even relate this to casino capitalism. But if I do this I willnot equate "risk" with skateboarders of climbers. Risk can remain for big business concerns. Iwill not equate risk with adventure at all. In fact safety and well-being goes better withadventure in skateboarding ways.Title:Real Richness: the social and psychological benefits of camping.Author/s:Kaye Richards, Liverpool John Moores University, UK.Abstract:Camping is not a new phenomenon in Outdoor Education, however, how can we understandmore about its benefits and role in everyday society. This paper will present the findings arecent UK survey by the Camping and Caravanning Club that examined the views of 2,000adults and 1,000 children, comparing those that camped and those that did not camp. Thefindings offer a particularly helpful insight into how both adults and children view camping. Itseems that children value the opportunity for the camping experience, in particular withparents, and that campers compared with non-campers seem to display differences in theirwell-being. Many of those who camp say they have closer relationships with family, friendsand their community than those who don’t camp. They also say that camping plays asignificant role in ‘allowing you to be yourself’ – an important psychological dimension giventhe demands and pressures of everyday life. The survey also indicates that many peoplethink that all children should have the opportunity to go camping. Given the findings from thesurvey, the paper will conclude with critical reflections of the role of camping in broader policyand practice developments, as well directions in developing a strategic camping researchagenda.30