Nature First - Outdoor Life the Friluftsliv Way

Author:

Width:  6  Inches
Height:  9  Inches
Pages:  320
Format:  Paperback
Publication Date:  July 31, 2007
Illustrations:  None
Publisher:  Dundurn Press

Description

Nature First combines the Scandinavian approach to creating a relationship with nature (known as friluftsliv) with efforts by Canadian and international educators to adapt this wisdom and apply it to everyday life experiences in the open air. The word friluftsliv literally refers to “…“free-air life” ‚ or outdoor life. A word saturated with values, the concept can permeate deeply and playfully into one‘s cultural being and personal psyche, thus influencing the way one perceives and interacts with nature on a daily basis.

For centuries, the North American approach has been one of domination and bringing nature under control, in many cases abusing our natural environment in the process. The friluftsliv way of being on “…“talking terms with nature,” ‚ developing an “…“insider‘s” ‚ relationship with nature, offers the rich potential of allowing us as cohabiters on the Earth to recreate, rejuvenate and restore the balance among all living things.

Nature First is the first English-language anthology to bring together the perspectives and experiences of North American, Norwegian, Swedish and other international outdoor writers, all friluftsliv thinkers and doers. Here, the thirty contributors‘ use of history, sociology, psychology, philosophy and outdoor education writings blend to provide an understanding of how friluftsliv applies to everyday life.

The book presents an alternative to much of the personal growth/adventure-based literature that tends to dominate our current approach to the outdoor activity. Folklore, heritage, adventure travel, crafts, place-based education and the daily outings of families all have a role to play in promoting an understanding of both the ordinary and the mystical importance of this Nordic tradition. Dedicated to parents, travel guides, educators and generally to participants in the outdoors, Nature First provides a compellingly fresh approach to life in the out-of-doors.

Author

Bob Henderson of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and Nils Vikander of North Troendelag University College in Levanger, Norway, are the co-editors. Both are practitioner-based outdoor educators.

Bob Henderson teaches Outdoor Education at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. Starting as a camper and canoe tripping staff member at Camp Ahmek in Algonquin Park, he has developed a lifelong interest in Canadian travel heritage and travel guiding. Beginning in 1994, he continues to write a regular heritage travel feature for Kanawa Magazine. In 1995 Bob completed his Ph.D. concerning approaches to travel guiding from the University of Alberta. He takes pride in baking a golden brown bannock and leading a spirited campfire singsong.

Bob is the author of Every Trail Has a Story: Heritage Travel in Canada, published by Natural Heritage Books in 2005, and co-editor of the forthcoming Nature First: Outdoor Life the Friluftsliv Way, which will be released in June 2007.

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