On July 18th, we conducted the workshop “hike more, worry less” which took place from Turtle Lake to Mtatsminda Park. It combined educational tips and covering basic safety topics, along with the hiking itself.
The group met at 8:45 AM at the Turtle Lake entrance. After a brief introduction and warm up, the hike began.
When the group reached the first resting spot, we introduced the core topics: what to bring on a hike and how to behave. A certified guide joined us to provide basic first-aid knowledge relevant to hiking.
For the first activity, participants were divided into groups and asked to list items they would bring on a one day hike. Groups shared and discussed their choices, followed by feedback.
When we reached the second resting spot, participants were presented with a scenario about getting lost for a night. They had to come up with a survival plan using items from their previous lists. Groups presented their strategies and used the advice we previously gave them.
Then we had a discussion on how to stay calm instead of panicking in situations like getting lost, which included breathing and calming techniques, what to do when you start to panic and how to handle those emotions, so you can go back on the trail.
Participants shared their ideas with the group. They were encouraged to share their own experiences, making the workshop collaborative and fun.
Although it was planned as a 2-hour session, the workshop lasted approximately 4 hours due to unforeseen circumstances, including the group’s hiking pace and extended discussion time during activities.
However, participants responded positively and expressed that they now feel more confident to go on hikes and are prepared better for outdoor challenges.
