To Approach a Controversial Subject

[boatman]

A game in the woods sounds great. Is there a way of involving LARP people? Live action and keyboard action, dressing up and really hitting people sounds a winner.

Back to the OP, It would be very difficult to get the basic idea that the woods and countryside are open and sadly this is reinforced by the number of prohibitions people feel are there. After all you get inner city people say they have nothing to do when there are free or subsidised swimming pools, museums, libraries etc. and all manner of events. They also have concerned bodies fussing about them while youth in the rural areas are almost completely neglected.

There is a charity devoted to giving city kids holidays in the country but nothing to assist country kids experience cities even though it could cost the thick end of £1,000 pounds for a family of four to visit London for an entertainment and cultural weekend.

Might be worth starting small and locally to see if even your new neighbours feel free to enjoy the outdoors, I bet some are inhibited for a variety of reasons.

 

[rik_uk3]

A woman I worked with (another nurse) had all of Ray Mears books and DVD's, loved them all and has never spent a night camping and has no intention of doing so. Another nurse was the same (books and DVD's) but did have a campervan she uses a lot but tent? You must be joking.

A lot of people, old and young don't give a rat's behind about the outdoors. I can see the Brecon Beacons from my house but a lot (the vast majority at a guess) of locals would never even think about walking up them or camping.

Why not just join a few gaming forums and put up a few posts and see what sort of feedback you get. I can't see it being positve really, its a bit like like going on a cricket fan forum and saying "look this cricket is sort of OK but you really should try rugby or ping pong"

 

[Mesquite]

I made the same suggestion a few posts back Tank, no reply yet, it's funny really what does and doesn't get a reply.....

Hmmm... yes, I noticed that as well Stu

Bit of selectivity going it seems

 

[Goatboy]

Have you researched any local groups in your new area THOaken? Look up LARP, Scouts, Outdoor Schools, Boy's Brigade (do they go out I don't know?), Forest schools, Nature Groups, Historical Societies, Ranger Services. All these things crave volunteers. You may have to jump through hoops if you are to work with children, and the good thing is that there will be support and teaching for you. Teaching is a skill, a real skill, there are few good natural teachers but tricks can be taught. Not only will you be learning with them but it will be giving you access to land to play and practice on, which I know you also crave in your new home.
Remember the story about why the Fash was the symbol of Rome. One stick will break but many little sticks together are strong. (Unfortunately the "Fascists" kind've ruined the story in the end).

 

[shaggystu]

Hmmm... yes, I noticed that as well Stu

Bit of selectivity going it seems

Interesting isn't it Steve

 

[Tank]

I've shown him nature and he understands it a bit better, so that's good. He's been with me to the Highlands and he is more ready to go outdoors than he has ever been.

Then keep going with him, learn what works and get his interest and what doesn't.

if i gave you 10 people today who would be waiting in a woods for you, what would you show them? Only from experience can you learn how to engage others in your passion for the outdoors.

 

[mrcharly]

I, or any one else with a mind to do this, would be telling them that the way they spend their time is really not good for them.

If you start by thinking that, then nobody will listen to you.

For people to appreciate what you think is great, you need to start appreciating what they think is great. Otherwise there is no connection.

 

[THOaken]

Well! I have been on here a little while, and when i first started i was full of bright ideas and how i was going to set the world of wildcamping/bushcraft alight, after may months and failed excersise's i am quite happy with my lot, whether it be a silly old meet, an under the radar gathering, or some of the private stuff i do when contacted by PM, by those who just want to come and camp and be shown a little of Dartmoor and what i can offer (a lot of that stuff, does not get posted on here, some are" no publicity darling!"

I don't do it for a profit, i do it because i absolutely love it, it takes time for people to trust and believe in you, and know what they are going to get.

I am more than happy to accommodate you and your brother, at a venue of your choice, within my permissions, some are really soft and easy all the way to hardcore, i promise there is no need whatsoever to worry as any aspect of staying in the woods can be covered, you can be shown where it is and left to your own devices right up to every whim taken care of, catering, kit supply, escorted excursions etc etc.

I will even get a few of my guests to PM you, just to tell you exactly what it is like.
I do not profess to be an expert, i am not a forager, a survival pro, but i have a very good knowledge, of trees, rivers and Dartmoor,have access to all for camping purposes, and my care and hosting skill are second to none.

You two ought to try it, i guarantee you would love it and go home a lot wiser.

The offer is there, my friend.

Ivan...

Ivan, please... Can I not win? I've already spoken to you about your brilliant offer and I said I'd take it up once I'm more familiar with England. I didn't want this thread to revolve around me. So please, can we just keep it to the idea? Your offer is great and I respect you for being so open, but let's not derail the thread and make it about me again. Cheers.

 

[THOaken]

If you start by thinking that, then nobody will listen to you.

For people to appreciate what you think is great, you need to start appreciating what they think is great. Otherwise there is no connection.

Okay, please listen. This is a misunderstanding that I want to clear up very quickly.

I didn't mean that I'd be doing that, I meant that it'd sound like I'd be doing that.

Once again, no negativity, no pressuring people or forcing them to do what I want. That's what this whole thread is about. Please read my other posts and you'll see that forcing people is the antithesis of the idea. Please understand that the above sentence has been taken the wrong way and it makes me sound like I don't respect both sides of the argument or the people I'm targeting.

 

[THOaken]

Thanks for the helpful advice, everyone. Great discussion.

 

[shaggystu]

....if i gave you 10 people today who would be waiting in a woods for you, what would you show them?.....

GTA5 on a HD projector, it's awesome in the woods!

 

[Ivan...]

Ok! Sorry was just trying to think of a way forward, but one last thing from me, if? You get a group of your wishes together to embrace the idea of the outdoors.

Give me a shout, and i will accommodate all of them for nothing, provide some very clever people to help you show them just how magical it can be, without you falling flat on your face!

Coz i is nice!!

Ivan..

 

[decorum]

If you want to go for it, then go for it .

It's difficult (read 'almost impossible') to actively change someone who doesn't want to. Going by the demographic you're aiming at then it might be better to target families instead ~ if the parent(s) are concerned about how much time is spent gaming then you could be offering up a new avenue for family quality time.


BUT ...

Are your presentation skills up to delivering outdoor education sessions?
Do you have the interpersonal skills to allow you to interact and deal effectively with difficult situations, circumstances and people?
What _specific_ knowledge* do you wish to pass on?
What level of first aid qualification will you require?
Have you looked into what insurance you're going to require?
Do you know how to get CRB checked?
Have you considered using your brother as a guinea pig? (If you can't help him, how much help are you going to be to a stranger?) ~ been covered by a few, but I'll leave it here anyway


*

<<< I mearly want to speak to some of these people online about the benefits of nature. >>>

What are your qualifications to do this? If it's just what you believe with no academic backing you'll be seen as some kind of preacher looking for converts

 

[THOaken]

Ok! Sorry was just trying to think of a way forward, but one last thing from me, if? You get a group of your wishes together to embrace the idea of the outdoors.

Give me a shout, and i will accommodate all of them for nothing, provide some very clever people to help you show them just how magical it can be, without you falling flat on your face!

Coz i is nice!!

Ivan..

Cheers, Ivan.

 

[Mesquite]

GTA5 on a HD projector, it's awesome in the woods!

I think COD would be much much better

 

[Stringmaker]

I made the same suggestion a few posts back Tank, no reply yet, it's funny really what does and doesn't get a reply.....

Check out post 57 and the time compared to your post 58.

I wouldn't take it personally.

 

[THOaken]

If you want to go for it, then go for it .

It's difficult (read 'almost impossible') to actively change someone who doesn't want to. Going by the demographic you're aiming at then it might be better to target families instead ~ if the parent(s) are concerned about how much time is spent gaming then you could be offering up a new avenue for family quality time.


BUT ...

Are your presentation skills up to delivering outdoor education sessions?
Do you have the interpersonal skills to allow you to interact and deal effectively with difficult situations, circumstances and people?
What _specific_ knowledge* do you wish to pass on?
What level of first aid qualification will you require?
Have you looked into what insurance you're going to require?
Do you know how to get CRB checked?
Have you considered using your brother as a guinea pig? (If you can't help him, how much help are you going to be to a stranger?) ~ been covered by a few, but I'll leave it here anyway


* What are your qualifications to do this? If it's just what you believe with no academic backing you'll be seen as some kind of preacher looking for converts

This is all great advice, friend, and I really appreciate your writing all of that, but I think you might be misjudging the scope of what I want to do initially. Those are all things one might do if he were a ranger or worked for an organization. I mearly want to have initial conversations with some people on the internet.

Thanks again.

 

[shaggystu]

I think COD would be much much better

nazi zombies in the dark with a few beers inside you, now that would be fun, it'd certainly get me into the woods more

 

[shaggystu]

Check out post 57 and the time compared to your post 58.

I wouldn't take it personally.

I didn't, he's a stranger from the internet, I only take things personally when they're directed at me personally by someone who knows me personally, cheers anyway

 

[THOaken]

The issue of my experience should be addressed as it's an extremely valid point.

The scope of my little idea was just that, little. If I had a lot of experience in the outdoors, I'd be taking on the helpful advice of people like Decorum, but as I've not yet acquired enough skills I can't say his advice yet applies to me. As a beginner who has found nature and has been revelling in it for about two and a half years now, I feel that I should only speak on that level, that scale, if that makes any sense. As I said, all I want to do right now, as someone who has been walking the path of nature for a few years, is speak to people on the internet and gauge their reaction. I'm sure it must've sounded like I was going to go on a crusade and misjudge my own experience and try to become a great teacher in Bushcraft, but that's really not the plan. I just want to open a dialogue with some of the people I know from forums. It's all just an idea.

My most sincere thanks to all who gave me their insight.