March 17  th    12:00-1:15

                                           Snacks Provided   No Equipment Necessary


Walking in the mountains is a popular pastime for young and old alike. Especially in Korea, where hills and mountains cover nearly 70 percent of the peninsula. But when did hiking become a hobby in the world? The idea of undertaking a walk through the countryside for pleasure, developed in the 18th century, and arose because of changing attitudes to the landscape and nature, associated with the Romantic Movement . In earlier times walking generally indicated poverty and was also associated with vagrancy .

In this first special lecture of 2014, we will be kicking off the new semester while celebrating the arrival of spring by hiking a 2km loop trail next to Kyungil University that rests in a beautiful natural setting in Hayang-eup, where the campus is nestled on the slope of Jang-goon Mountain, the great General Jang. Directly behind is a peaceful valley carved out by a quiet stream, with Hwan-seong Mountain, translated as a ���hurrah, or a shout of joy���, standing tall and proud on the horizon.

The goals of this lecture will be to learn nature vocabulary in an exciting and visual way. In teams, led by Greg Jones, Natalie Daniel, Ryan Mondor, and Michael Darmour, students will identify things in nature from a checklist divided into plants, animals, geology, and man-made categories. Meanwhile using navigational skills following a map they are given being careful not to wander off course. Furthermore, we will discuss the Leave No Trace movement that offers a set of guidelines for low-impact hiking: ���Leave nothing but footprints. Take nothing but photos. Kill nothing but time. Keep nothing but memories.��� Other topics such as equipment, customs, environmental impact, etiquette, and hazards associated with hiking may be discussed as well.

We hope this will be an exciting opportunity for our students to meet and get to know each other better and especially our friendly teachers in a comfortable and relaxing outdoor setting. There will be ample opportunity for lots of English conversation as we traverse the trail plus during breaks at rest stops and scenic overlooks where some snacks will be provided for the hikers.

Improving our English, getting some needed exercise, and meeting new people while discovering the natural world around us through the popular pastime of hiking. No wonder poets such as Wordsworth, Keats, Emerson, and Thoreau loved walking in the woods. Let nature inspire you too!