International Mountain and Outdoor Sports Conference ****************************************************************************************** * International Mountain and Outdoor Sports Conference ****************************************************************************************** From Thursday the 20th November to Sunday the 23rd November, the Faculty of Physical Educa Charles University played host to the 7th International Mountain and Outdoor Sports Confer was organised by the Department of Turistika, Outdoor Sports and Outdoor Education and saw departments of outdoor sports in universities all over the world come to Prague to share t experiences with like-minded individuals. Outdoor sports enthusiasts and students alike we The core aims of the conference were to discuss the health, educational and economic susta of outdoor activities. This was to be achieved in a series of lectures by academics in the fields, complemented by a number of practical workshops. Despite the variation in national the atmosphere was one of continual interaction, discussion and mutual learning. There were a number of key speakers throughout the conference and they were supplemented b the many other lecturers and experts there. The key speakers were Dr. Pete Allison from th School of Education in Edinburgh, Scotland, Professor Colin Beard from the Sheffield Busin in England, Dr. Jo Barton from the University of Essex in England and Dr. Eduard Inglés Yu University of Barcelona in Spain. The most fascinating part of this conference that I attended took place, rather fittingly, was a workshop concerning the use of outdoor education to develop methods for integration and culture. The workshop implemented several exercises and activities where we had to wor group, setting aside nationality, age or any other differences. Teamwork and communication in ensuring we could obtain our objective efficiently. Other activities included ones wher required to think “outside the box” and make use of both their surroundings and, depending circumstances, their imagination. The workshop allowed me personally to access and make us psyche that I don’t use on a regular basis. Following the workshop, a brief coffee break took place after which I attended a very inte lecture by Dr. Andy Martin of Massey University, Palmerstown North in New Zealand. His tal the development and subsequent decline of an organisation well known in his country named This international non-profit aims to foster the personal growth and social skills of part using challenging outdoor expeditions. Dr. Martin chronicled the organisation’s creation, and efforts to re-establish itself as an important part of development for youngsters and in New Zealand. Outward Bound was set up on core values by influential German educator Kur 1941 and grew to be to have 40 schools with over 200,000 participants. However, financial meant the organisation lost its way and the experience was stopped in many countries. As a Outward Bound, Dr. Martin offered what he thought would bring the company back to its form participation and popularity. Other notable lectures I managed to attend included a presentation of studies conducted on distance athletes and mountaineers attempting to ascend K2 carried out by Karen Weekes of Kerry, Ireland, an examination of outdoor research from a Czech perspective by distinguish Charles University Dr. Jan Neumann and a discussion of the health benefits of outdoor exer Barton. On the whole, I had an excellent experience of what overall was a very successful event an thoroughly enjoyed by all. The conference allowed people with expertise in similar fields and share their experiences with each other in a non-formal atmosphere. It was the seventh Mountain and Outdoor Sports Conference, and I’m sure there will be many more as the event from strength to strength. Daniel O’Toole is a third year Law with Politics student on Erasmus here at Charles Univer has a keen interest in journalism and felt this would be an excellent way to develop his w