The aim is to make better use of the unused potential of outdoor exercise in increasing the movement of children and young people by means of a new type of circulating hobby activity. Rasti-Jussit has started, in cooperation with Rasti-Kurika and Jalasjärvi Jalas, a new kind of traveling hobby activity in Seinäjoki, Ilmajoki and in the area of the former Jalasjärvi municipality. With the help of the project, the best nature exercise environments in the region can be used for children's and young people's outdoor exercise, support the initiation and continuation of meaningful outdoor exercise for young people and the development of an active lifestyle.
The background is concern about the decrease in the amount of physical activity among children and young people. Children and young people should be especially encouraged to engage in breathing exercise, which should also stress the musculoskeletal system as well as balance, agility and speed. In nature exercise, the development of these qualities is combined in an exceptional way, when the uneven terrain requires coordination and control of the whole body.
Varied nature exercise every week
The purpose is to highlight nature sports, especially from the point of view of orienteering, as an activity that promotes community.
The project employee plans, coordinates and implements hobby activities in cooperation with the participating clubs.
- I organize weekly activities for children, young people and families around orienteering and all kinds of other outdoor activities. In addition, I organize, for example, lauvrasts and camp days, which are a little less frequent, says Vetävä about the project Jenni Ruokolainen.
There were enough participants in the Rastit haltuun club in Jalasjärvi.
At the Nature and Nature event in Lakeuden, at the Luonnosta liekettä point, you could explore the mazes of the labyrinth at the foot of Lakeuden's cross. Photo: Jenni Ruokolainen.
Ruokolainen, who hails from Eastern Finland, graduated as a sports scientist last year and moved to South Ostrobothnia for work. Ruokolainen has previously worked in sports and guiding children is already familiar to him.
One of the goals of the activity is the development of the hobby of orienteering and the skills of moving in the forest. The goal is also to get new enthusiasts involved in orienteering and club activities and to develop cooperation between clubs. The project also aims to find the best nature exercise practices for each season.
- Going towards summer, there have been more and more participants all the time. In the beginning, there were a lot of people who are involved in the activities of the clubs anyway. Now it feels like more visibility has been gained and completely new enthusiasts and those who have been to individual events have joined.
Orienteering is a shared hobby of the Pihlajaviita family.
Work is needed
Although forests offer a ready-made and varied performance venue, one big challenge in organizing exercise events is that their preparation takes more time than the exercise itself takes. For example, it takes an average of 6 to 24 hours to prepare an active nature exercise and orienteering exercise for young people, so that people of different skill levels can have exercises of their own level and meaning. In addition to Rookolain's work input, a lot of taluk hours are therefore needed.
Working on the job is also familiar to those involved in Jalas' orienteering division Juho for Pihlajaviida. Orienteering is a joint hobby of the five spiritual Pihlajaviita family. Pihlajaviita was just a part of Jukola's relay, the wife is involved in organizing Jalas evening dances and the children have even competed a bit.
- The project is a good way to introduce children to nature and outdoor exercise. You don't always have to compete, Pihlajaviita reminds.
- Children learn map markers and to follow the map, it will be useful for the rest of their lives.
Free activity
Participation in the project's nature exercise events is always free of charge. Future events will be announced on the project's Instagram account, which Ruokolainen advises to follow up.
- Welcome aboard! For example, you can actually get to the train tracks with a very low threshold. There is no timing or competition, you can just come and try the sport, Ruokolainen encourages.
Picture 1. At the first time of Jalasjärvi's Rastit haltuun club, we got to know map markers using dominoes. Photo: Jenni Ruokolainen.
Picture 2. Kyrkkäri camp day 25.5. short fan tracks ready for the first practice. Photo: Jenni Ruokolainen.
Picture 3. At the last time of Jalasjärvi's Rastit haltuun club, they practiced map reading and orientation on bucket tracks. Photo: Jenni Ruokolainen.