EARTHTOUCHEARTHTOUCHTHE OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROCESSTHE OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROCESS

The individualThe individual develops greater understanding develops greater understanding of universal values and natural of universal values and natural principles emanating from the principles emanating from the

Earth,Earth,byby

sharing group time and/or journeyssharing group time and/or journeysout of doors in direct contact out of doors in direct contact

with the natural worldwith the natural world

THE FUNDAMENTAL, NECESSARY THE FUNDAMENTAL, NECESSARY SEQUENCE OF THE EXPERIENCESEQUENCE OF THE EXPERIENCE

I I >> WEWE > > NATURE NATURE

Share Share >> group timegroup time > experiencing > experiencing contactcontact

and then reflect deeply on that contactand then reflect deeply on that contact

to understand humans’ true to understand humans’ true relationship relationship

of of

ONENESS WITH THE EARTH ONENESS WITH THE EARTH

STAGESSTAGES A. ‘A. ‘II’ - INTEGRATING THE INDIVIDUAL:’ - INTEGRATING THE INDIVIDUAL:

‘‘ICE BREAKING’ GAMESICE BREAKING’ GAMES

B. ‘B. ‘WEWE’ - FORMING THE GROUP:’ - FORMING THE GROUP: B.1. TRUSTING ONE’S COMPANIONSB.1. TRUSTING ONE’S COMPANIONS B.2. SOLVING PROBLEMS TOGETHERB.2. SOLVING PROBLEMS TOGETHER B.3. WORKING SERIOUSLY AS A TEAMB.3. WORKING SERIOUSLY AS A TEAM

C. ‘C. ‘NATURENATURE’ - CONNECTING TO ’ - CONNECTING TO EARTH:EARTH:

C.1. OBSERVINGC.1. OBSERVING C.2. OUR PLACE IN TIME AND SPACEC.2. OUR PLACE IN TIME AND SPACE C.3. LEARNING FROM THE EARTHC.3. LEARNING FROM THE EARTH C.4. EXPERIENCING THE UNITY OF NATUREC.4. EXPERIENCING THE UNITY OF NATURE

A. ‘I’ – INTEGRATING THE INDIVIDUALA. ‘I’ – INTEGRATING THE INDIVIDUALA stage of simple ‘icebreaking’ games, many of them A stage of simple ‘icebreaking’ games, many of them

in circles - aimed at integrating individuals into in circles - aimed at integrating individuals into the group and motivating their interest in the group and motivating their interest in participating further through novelty and participating further through novelty and

entertainment.entertainment.

B. ‘WE’ – FORMING THE GROUPB. ‘WE’ – FORMING THE GROUPThis stage develops confidence, communication skills This stage develops confidence, communication skills

and individual cooperation in the tasks undertaken and individual cooperation in the tasks undertaken by the group. It aims to generate sufficient by the group. It aims to generate sufficient

respect and responsibility to ensure safety and a respect and responsibility to ensure safety and a sense of purpose during group explorations and sense of purpose during group explorations and

learning out of doors. learning out of doors.

C. ‘NATURE’ – CONNECTING TO EARTHC. ‘NATURE’ – CONNECTING TO EARTH This third stage includes all the earth awareness This third stage includes all the earth awareness

activities as such. It is both the aim and the activities as such. It is both the aim and the outcome of stages A. and B., as well as being the outcome of stages A. and B., as well as being the

fundamental aim of the whole process.fundamental aim of the whole process.

A. ‘I’ - INTEGRATING THE INDIVIDUALA. ‘I’ - INTEGRATING THE INDIVIDUAL‘‘ICEBREAKING’ GAMESICEBREAKING’ GAMES

A.1.A.1. PRESENTATION CIRCLESPRESENTATION CIRCLES(In pairs, Favourite things, Actions, Secrets …)(In pairs, Favourite things, Actions, Secrets …)

A.2.A.2. FINDING ONE’S COMPANIONSFINDING ONE’S COMPANIONS(Group Identity Labels, Animals)(Group Identity Labels, Animals)

A.3. TRAPPED INSIDE/OUTSIDEA.3. TRAPPED INSIDE/OUTSIDE(No way out – or in)(No way out – or in)

A.4. BIG NONSENSE CIRCLESA.4. BIG NONSENSE CIRCLES(The Baby, Plip-Plop, Zip-Zap-Boing)(The Baby, Plip-Plop, Zip-Zap-Boing)

A.5. BIG FUN CIRCLES A.5. BIG FUN CIRCLES (Inside-Outside, Sit on Knees)(Inside-Outside, Sit on Knees)

A.6. LINING UP IN BALANCE A.6. LINING UP IN BALANCE (On a tree trunk – Birth Dates, Names, Initials)(On a tree trunk – Birth Dates, Names, Initials)

B. ‘WE’ – FORMING THE GROUPB. ‘WE’ – FORMING THE GROUPB.1. RELYING ON COMPANIONSB.1. RELYING ON COMPANIONS

B.1.1.B.1.1. CIRCLES WITH SUPPORT FOR EVERYONECIRCLES WITH SUPPORT FOR EVERYONE(Leaning In/Out, Hang on Shoulders, Backward (Leaning In/Out, Hang on Shoulders, Backward

Sit)Sit)

B.1.2.B.1.2. HUMAN CATERPILLARSHUMAN CATERPILLARS(High Tide, Off Road 4x4...)(High Tide, Off Road 4x4...)

B.1.3. TRUST FALLINGB.1.3. TRUST FALLING(In circles, groups of 2, 3, 10)(In circles, groups of 2, 3, 10)

B.1.4.B.1.4. TRUST BLINDFOLD WALKINGTRUST BLINDFOLD WALKING(Guided-Retrace steps, Choose a Tree)(Guided-Retrace steps, Choose a Tree)

B.1.5. OVERCOMING OBSTACLES (+WITHOUT SIGHT)B.1.5. OVERCOMING OBSTACLES (+WITHOUT SIGHT)(More challenging, for groups that function well)(More challenging, for groups that function well)

B. ‘WE’ – FORMING THE GROUPB. ‘WE’ – FORMING THE GROUPB.2. SOLVING PROBLEMS TOGETHERB.2. SOLVING PROBLEMS TOGETHER

B.2.1. THE SPIDER’S WEBB.2.1. THE SPIDER’S WEBA rope/string network stretched between 2 trees, A rope/string network stretched between 2 trees, with human-sized gapswith human-sized gaps through which the group through which the group

passes,passes,

B.2.2. SQUARING THE ROPE B.2.2. SQUARING THE ROPE Arrange the rope blinfold into a perfect square.Arrange the rope blinfold into a perfect square.

B.2.3.B.2.3. RESCUING THE TREASURE RESCUING THE TREASURERetrieve an object from inside a rope circle 10 Retrieve an object from inside a rope circle 10

metres wide without touching the ground.metres wide without touching the ground.

B.2.4.B.2.4. CROSSING THE ABYSS CROSSING THE ABYSSThe whole group, and its equipment, crosses a 3 The whole group, and its equipment, crosses a 3

metre gap without touching the ground.metre gap without touching the ground.(Materials: 2x10m ropes, string, 2x5ft planks)(Materials: 2x10m ropes, string, 2x5ft planks)

B. ‘WE’ – FORMING THE GROUPB. ‘WE’ – FORMING THE GROUPB.3. WORKING MORE SERIOUSLY AS A TEAMB.3. WORKING MORE SERIOUSLY AS A TEAM

B.3.1.B.3.1. URGENT – FIND A LOST COMPANIONURGENT – FIND A LOST COMPANIONIn a realistic role play, a group member is ‘lost’ in a In a realistic role play, a group member is ‘lost’ in a safe, contained natural area. Find within time limit.safe, contained natural area. Find within time limit.

B.3.2.B.3.2. URGENT – RESCUE AN INJURED PERSONURGENT – RESCUE AN INJURED PERSONProgressing from previous activity, an injured person Progressing from previous activity, an injured person

is found and transported to safety (include first aid).is found and transported to safety (include first aid).

B.3.3.B.3.3. CHALLENGING – EXPLORE A WATERCOURSECHALLENGING – EXPLORE A WATERCOURSEThe group practises safety skills in sometimes difficult The group practises safety skills in sometimes difficult

and uncomfortable conditions. A great favourite. and uncomfortable conditions. A great favourite.

B.3.4. CHALLENGING - A SELF-ORGANIZED EXPEDITIONB.3.4. CHALLENGING - A SELF-ORGANIZED EXPEDITIONA classic culmination to a training process. With A classic culmination to a training process. With

supervision, the group self-organizes an expedition. supervision, the group self-organizes an expedition.

C. ‘NATURE’ – CONNECTING TO EARTHC. ‘NATURE’ – CONNECTING TO EARTHC.1. OBSERVINGC.1. OBSERVING

C.1.1. LISTENING IN SILENCEC.1.1. LISTENING IN SILENCE(Sentados en el suelo, contar sonidos, sensaciones)(Sentados en el suelo, contar sonidos, sensaciones)

C.1.2.C.1.2. BLINDFOLD TOUCHING, WALKINGBLINDFOLD TOUCHING, WALKINGAny non-sighted exercise in tactile observation – following a Any non-sighted exercise in tactile observation – following a

handline, guided by a companion, or alonehandline, guided by a companion, or alone

C.1.3.C.1.3. BAREFOOT WALKINGBAREFOOT WALKINGNeglected activity of enormous richness, enhancing both Neglected activity of enormous richness, enhancing both sensitivity and commitmment. Best in locations variety of sensitivity and commitmment. Best in locations variety of

textures.textures.

C.1.4. SIMPLY BEING ALONEC.1.4. SIMPLY BEING ALONEFrom minutes to hours, solitary reflection enhances contact From minutes to hours, solitary reflection enhances contact

with all aspects of nature – both ‘external’ and internal.with all aspects of nature – both ‘external’ and internal.

C.1.5.C.1.5. NIGHT WALKING – SEEING THE FOOTPATH WITH THE NIGHT WALKING – SEEING THE FOOTPATH WITH THE FEETFEET

This exercise is powerful, practical and inspires reflection.This exercise is powerful, practical and inspires reflection.

C. ‘NATURE’ – CONNECTING TO EARTHC. ‘NATURE’ – CONNECTING TO EARTHC.2. OUR PLACE IN TIME AND SPACEC.2. OUR PLACE IN TIME AND SPACE

C.2.1. NIGHT ORIENTEERINGC.2.1. NIGHT ORIENTEERINGCompass course based on the 8 sub-cardinal directions, paces Compass course based on the 8 sub-cardinal directions, paces

and an anagram of letters found at each point. Excellent and an anagram of letters found at each point. Excellent group exercisegroup exercise

C.2.2.C.2.2. MAKING MAPSMAKING MAPSOf camp surroundings, routes undertaken … (w. scale and Of camp surroundings, routes undertaken … (w. scale and

directions)directions)

C.2.3.C.2.3. NATURAL ORIENTATIONNATURAL ORIENTATIONAs the ecosystem understands it – traverse a hill or valley, As the ecosystem understands it – traverse a hill or valley,

register differences between slopes. Local guiding an register differences between slopes. Local guiding an advantage.advantage.

C.2.4.C.2.4. STORIES OF THE FOUR DIRECTIONSSTORIES OF THE FOUR DIRECTIONSIndigenous invopcations, traditions, seasonal celebrations.Indigenous invopcations, traditions, seasonal celebrations.

C.2.5.C.2.5. HISTORY OF LIFE ON EARTHHISTORY OF LIFE ON EARTHStories of universe, planet, plants and animals.Stories of universe, planet, plants and animals.

C. ‘NATURE’ – CONNECTING TO EARTHC. ‘NATURE’ – CONNECTING TO EARTHC.3. LEARNING FROM THE EARTH C.3. LEARNING FROM THE EARTH

C.3.1.C.3.1. SHARING REFLECTIONS ALONG THE WAYSHARING REFLECTIONS ALONG THE WAYEg, at rests planned in ‘receptive’ places and Eg, at rests planned in ‘receptive’ places and

moments – summits, rivers, lakes, lagos, at eveningmoments – summits, rivers, lakes, lagos, at evening

C.3.2.C.3.2. REFLECTING ALONEREFLECTING ALONEGuided evaluations and reflections for Guided evaluations and reflections for

individual quiet time, in writingindividual quiet time, in writing

C.3.3.C.3.3. REFLECTING TOGETHER ROUND THE FIREREFLECTING TOGETHER ROUND THE FIREMoments centred on the fire, with legends from the Moments centred on the fire, with legends from the

Earth, spirits, mysterious beings and doings …Earth, spirits, mysterious beings and doings …

C. ‘NATURE’ – CONNECTING TO EARTHC. ‘NATURE’ – CONNECTING TO EARTHC.4. EXPERIENCING THE UNITY OF NATUREC.4. EXPERIENCING THE UNITY OF NATURE

THE COUNCIL OF ALL BEINGSTHE COUNCIL OF ALL BEINGS

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STAGESSTAGES CENTRAL FEATURES CENTRAL FEATURES

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. We clarify INTENTION 1. We clarify INTENTION ->Invocation to Gaia->Invocation to Gaia 2. We accept the DANGER 2. We accept the DANGER ->Greenpeace, Lovelock, ->Greenpeace, Lovelock, 3. We make CONNECTION 3. We make CONNECTION ->Sealth, Earth awareness->Sealth, Earth awareness 4. We recall EVOLUTION 4. We recall EVOLUTION ->Exercises, Story of Life->Exercises, Story of Life 5. We take a new IDENTITY 5. We take a new IDENTITY ->We choose another ->We choose another

beingbeing 6. THE COUNCIL ITSELF6. THE COUNCIL ITSELF ->We advise the Humans ->We advise the Humans 7. FINAL FORUM7. FINAL FORUM ->What is the road ahead?->What is the road ahead?

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