EARTHTOUCH

1

• EARTHTOUCH
• THE OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROCESSThe individual
• develops greater understanding
• of universal values and natural principles
  emanating from the Earth,
• by
• sharing group time and/or journeys
• out of doors in direct contact
• with the natural world

2

• THE FUNDAMENTAL, NECESSARY SEQUENCE OF THE
  EXPERIENCE
• I gt WE gt NATURE
• Share gt group time gt experiencing contact and
  then reflect deeply on that contact
• to understand humans true relationship
• of
• ONENESS WITH THE EARTH

3

• STAGES
• A. I - INTEGRATING THE INDIVIDUAL
• ICE BREAKING GAMES
• B. WE - FORMING THE GROUP
• B.1. TRUSTING ONES COMPANIONS
• B.2. SOLVING PROBLEMS TOGETHER
• B.3. WORKING SERIOUSLY AS A TEAM
• C. NATURE - CONNECTING TO EARTH
• C.1. OBSERVING
• C.2. OUR PLACE IN TIME AND SPACE
• C.3. LEARNING FROM THE EARTH
• C.4. EXPERIENCING THE UNITY OF NATURE

4

• A. I INTEGRATING THE INDIVIDUAL
• A stage of simple icebreaking games, many of
  them in circles - aimed at integrating
  individuals into the group and motivating their
  interest in participating further through novelty
  and entertainment.
• B. WE FORMING THE GROUP
• This stage develops confidence, communication
  skills and individual cooperation in the tasks
  undertaken by the group. It aims to generate
  sufficient respect and responsibility to ensure
  safety and a sense of purpose during group
  explorations and learning out of doors.
• C. NATURE CONNECTING TO EARTH
• This third stage includes all the earth
  awareness activities as such. It is both the aim
  and the outcome of stages A. and B., as well as
  being the fundamental aim of the whole process.

5

• A. I - INTEGRATING THE INDIVIDUAL
• ICEBREAKING GAMES
• A.1. PRESENTATION CIRCLES
• (In pairs, Favourite things, Actions, Secrets )
• A.2. FINDING ONES COMPANIONS
• (Group Identity Labels, Animals)
• A.3. TRAPPED INSIDE/OUTSIDE
• (No way out or in)
• A.4. BIG NONSENSE CIRCLES
• (The Baby, Plip-Plop, Zip-Zap-Boing)
• A.5. BIG FUN CIRCLES
• (Inside-Outside, Sit on Knees)
• A.6. LINING UP IN BALANCE

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• B. WE FORMING THE GROUP
• B.1. RELYING ON COMPANIONS
• B.1.1. CIRCLES WITH SUPPORT FOR EVERYONE
• (Leaning In/Out, Hang on Shoulders, Backward
  Sit)
• B.1.2. HUMAN CATERPILLARS
• (High Tide, Off Road 4x4...)
• B.1.3. TRUST FALLING
• (In circles, groups of 2, 3, 10)
• B.1.4. TRUST BLINDFOLD WALKING
• (Guided-Retrace steps, Choose a Tree)
• B.1.5. OVERCOMING OBSTACLES (WITHOUT SIGHT)
• (More challenging, for groups that function well)

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• B. WE FORMING THE GROUP
• B.2. SOLVING PROBLEMS TOGETHER
• B.2.1. THE SPIDERS WEB
• A rope/string network stretched between 2 trees,
  with human-sized gaps through which the group
  passes,
• B.2.2. SQUARING THE ROPE
• Arrange the rope blinfold into a perfect square.
• B.2.3. RESCUING THE TREASURE
• Retrieve an object from inside a rope circle 10
  metres wide without touching the ground.
• B.2.4. CROSSING THE ABYSS
• The whole group, and its equipment, crosses a 3
  metre gap without touching the ground.
• (Materials 2x10m ropes, string, 2x5ft planks)

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• B. WE FORMING THE GROUP
• B.3. WORKING MORE SERIOUSLY AS A TEAM
• B.3.1. URGENT FIND A LOST COMPANION
• In a realistic role play, a group member is
  lost in a safe, contained natural area. Find
  within time limit.
• B.3.2. URGENT RESCUE AN INJURED PERSON
• Progressing from previous activity, an injured
  person is found and transported to safety
  (include first aid).
• B.3.3. CHALLENGING EXPLORE A WATERCOURSE
• The group practises safety skills in sometimes
  difficult and uncomfortable conditions. A great
  favourite.
• B.3.4. CHALLENGING - A SELF-ORGANIZED EXPEDITION
• A classic culmination to a training process. With
  supervision, the group self-organizes an
  expedition.

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• C. NATURE CONNECTING TO EARTH
• C.1. OBSERVING
• C.1.1. LISTENING IN SILENCE
• (Sentados en el suelo, contar sonidos,
  sensaciones)
• C.1.2. BLINDFOLD TOUCHING, WALKING
• Any non-sighted exercise in tactile observation
  following a handline, guided by a companion, or
  alone
• C.1.3. BAREFOOT WALKING
• Neglected activity of enormous richness,
  enhancing both sensitivity and commitmment. Best
  in locations variety of textures.
• C.1.4. SIMPLY BEING ALONE
• From minutes to hours, solitary reflection
  enhances contact with all aspects of nature
  both external and internal.
• C.1.5. NIGHT WALKING SEEING THE FOOTPATH WITH
  THE FEET
• This exercise is powerful, practical and inspires
  reflection.

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• C. NATURE CONNECTING TO EARTH
• C.2. OUR PLACE IN TIME AND SPACE
• C.2.1. NIGHT ORIENTEERING
• Compass course based on the 8 sub-cardinal
  directions, paces and an anagram of letters found
  at each point. Excellent group exercise
• C.2.2. MAKING MAPS
• Of camp surroundings, routes undertaken (w.
  scale and directions)
• C.2.3. NATURAL ORIENTATION
• As the ecosystem understands it traverse a hill
  or valley, register differences between slopes.
  Local guiding an advantage.
• C.2.4. STORIES OF THE FOUR DIRECTIONS
• Indigenous invopcations, traditions, seasonal
  celebrations.
• C.2.5. HISTORY OF LIFE ON EARTH
• Stories of universe, planet, plants and animals.

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• C. NATURE CONNECTING TO EARTH
• C.3. LEARNING FROM THE EARTH
• C.3.1. SHARING REFLECTIONS ALONG THE WAY
• Eg, at rests planned in receptive places and
  moments summits, rivers, lakes, lagos, at
  evening
• C.3.2. REFLECTING ALONE
• Guided evaluations and reflections for
• individual quiet time, in writing
• C.3.3. REFLECTING TOGETHER ROUND THE FIRE
• Moments centred on the fire, with legends from
  the Earth, spirits, mysterious beings and doings

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• C. NATURE CONNECTING TO EARTH
• C.4. EXPERIENCING THE UNITY OF NATURE
• THE COUNCIL OF ALL BEINGS
• --------------------------------------------------
  ------------------
• STAGES CENTRAL FEATURES
• --------------------------------------------------
  ---------------
• 1. We clarify INTENTION -gtInvocation to Gaia
• 2. We accept the DANGER -gtGreenpeace,
  Lovelock,
• 3. We make CONNECTION -gtSealth, Earth awareness
• 4. We recall EVOLUTION -gtExercises, Story
  of Life
• 5. We take a new IDENTITY -gtWe choose another
  being
• 6. THE COUNCIL ITSELF -gtWe advise the Humans
• 7. FINAL FORUM -gtWhat is the road ahead?
• --------------------------------------------------
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