Intervention proposal from the mountain federation of Guipúzcoa to increase participation of boys and girls

Abstract

For several years, a progressive decrease in the number of participants in the children's mountaineering program in Guipúzcoa has been observed with concern. This study, which is addressed for the Mountain Federation of Guipúzcoa, seeks to understand the causes of the decline in the participation of children in the activities of the school mountaineering program. The benefits of Physical Activities in the Natural Environment (PANE) were previously analyzed by means of bibliographic revision, emphasizing its educational value. This study is located within the framework of the qualitative methodology. In order to gather information, the discussion-group technique was used (supplemented with surveys and records). Members of all the groups involved in the six discussion groups included: schools, clubs, mountain guides, federations, and deputy managers. A total of 62 staff members and 350 students from six different centers participated in the discussion groups. Within the extensive list of proposals included in the results, the following may be highlighted: facilitating participation, adding attractive (playful) elements and incentives to mountain outings, flexible schedules to reconcile agendas, increasing the credibility of this activity, better selling the positives and benefits of mountaineering, strengthening communication among the different actors involved... In conclusion, an interdisciplinary collaboration is considered necessary; particular and specific measures are proposed for each of the involved levels. Thanks to the proposed intervention a modification in the prevailing trends of the recent years is expected to be possible in the future.