ctxguide Site Admin
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 Posts: 2422
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Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:53 am Post subject: |
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After reading about the rise of outdoor adventure in Norway it got me thinking about the state of the outdoors in Connecticut. It has occurred to me that the outdoors way of life has been fading from our cultural heritage.
As an example, the outdoors way of life is deeply embedded in Norway's culture. According to the National Geographic Adventure Magazine article "Norway Takes Off," Norwegians have a term by the name of friluftsliv which means "the open-air life." It is a cultural philosophy that embraces wilderness travel and enjoying the outdoors. Friluftsliv is even taught in schools as a part of their national heritage.
I think this is where our culture has missed the boat with living the outdoors way of life. School used to be a place of learning about American culture, but recent trends in elementary education has narrowed teaching to just a few fundamental areas. There's now barely any time for staples of learning such as art, physical education or music let alone exposure to the outdoors or even social skills for that matter.
Connecticut has enjoyed a trend toward preserving open spaces as a way to preserve the small town feel or to save small farms or local forests, but these efforts will reverse their trend if our youth do not appreciate the land around them. Enjoying the outdoors is not just about recreation, it is about preserving our culture, climate and way of life.
Referring back to the Adventure Magazine article, the writer mentioned that Norway had issued a grant program of $10 million to foster further development of outdoor adventure outfitters. This type of money toward quenching wanderlust or satisfying adrenaline junkies seems a bit odd at first, but Norway basks in the warm glow of being considered the best country in the world for 6 straight years, according to the United Nations; so, Norway is doing SOMETHING right.
So as Norway increases it's cultural identity toward the outdoors lifestyle, they continue to increase their lead on the rest of the world in health, days off from work and wealth. Meanwhile, the United States will be struggling with obesity, a failing healthcare system, a collapse of economic status and decreasing holiday and vacation time.
I think there is more to Norway's friluftsliv than just a walk in the woods. |
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