Meaning of Stream Trekking Experience from the Viewpoint of Environmental Education

하천 트레킹 체험의 환경교육적 의미

The main objective of this study was to find participant's recognition about and meaning of stream trekking activities by analyzing their reports after visiting Gumgang, which was a kind of field experience combined with environmental education programs. In addition, this work suggested a few points that might help improve trekking programs, trail establishment and the overall field activities along the river. Eighty reports were collected from the participants who had joined in the Gumgang trekking programs organized by both Green Korea United in Daejeon and Gumgang Basin Environmental Office of Korean EPA. A database of texts in the reports was created for the preliminary analysis and then the results were further examined in a qualitative methodology. The results of qualitative analysis demonstrated that before experiencing the trekking activities in the Gumgang, many participants seemed uninterested in a river itself, objectified it, or simply recognized functional roles. It is found that most participants preferred crossing rapids to other activities. Crossing rapids has the eleven positive aspects as follows. First of all, crossing rapids is fun and scary experience at the same time. Secondly, it is painful, but makes people feel happy ironically. Third, rapids themselves make people reminisce about their childhood and feel freedom. Fourth, they make people feel comfortable. Fifth, crossing rapids is addictive. Sixth, rapids have life. Seventh, people can learn how to adapt to nature through the experience in them. Eighth, they can make people cooperate. Ninth, they can make people recollect their old friends. Tenth, people can extend their experience near rapids to rivers. Eleventh, they can make people reflect themselves. There ere three remarkable findings about experience in rapids. Crossing rapids was an activity that most participants preferred and could make the goal of trekking in the Gumgang effectively achievable. By crossing rapids participants can understand both lively and painful parts of the river. Participants think tour guide was an essential part to trekking along the Gumgang.