Abstract
Purpose: To examine Czech traditions of outdoor games and sports, turistika activities and education in nature programs, which have continued to develop during periods of oppression, and provided opportunities to preserve the Czech culture. Design: A review of the historical, cultural and political context of education in nature traditions in Czech.
Findings: Late 19th century organisations such as the Turistický klub and Sokol were instrumental in developing a range of indigenous turistika activities involving active movement. Early 20th century influences were the Czech scouting movement, summer camps and Woodcraft.
Charles University provided the first tertiary outdoor educational programs in Prague in the 1950s. Their foundation course 'Turistika and Outdoor Sports' is still compulsory for all students studying physical education.
Turistika activities and outdoor sports and games continued to be developed throughout the liberalization of the socialist regime in the 1960s. Following the 'Prague Spring in 1968, and under the guise of the Socialist Youth Union organization, new experimental forms of outdoor education emerged.
Members of the University faculty were instrumental in founding Vacation School Lipnice in 1977 (from 1992 part of Outward Bound Czech Republic). Their dramaturgy method of course design intertwines a variety of physical, social, creative and reflective/emotional games and activities in nature to reflect the holistic character of Czech outdoor practices.
Since the Velvet Revolution in 1989 organisations have reconnected with Czech outdoor traditions that flourished before 1948 and other organisations have developed more formal education in nature programs. Originality/value: To provide an overview of Czech political and cultural history and how it has shaped people's relationship, particularly children and youth, with the outdoors.