Ph.D. Bochenek Marcin
Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw
Branch in Biala Podlaska
Faculty of Physical Education and SportIntroduction

Physical activity of children and youth is insufficient compared to their needs. Significantly reduced movement leads to a lower level of physical activity, mental problems and lower tolerance to the obstacles of the changing world. This state of affairs results from the contemporary civilization which makes numerous life spheres more convenient and shapes styles which are not compliant with the expectations. The society and especially the youth are exposed to a range of pathogenic factors with which, more and more often, we are not able, cannot and do not want to struggle. Extracurricular and out-of-school activities of children and youth are more and more neglected. A child does not receive sufficient support from the relatives and does not attend attractive, frequent and intensive classes. Counter measures are being looked for in order to change this unfavourable situation. More and more frequently physical activity and tourism are indicated as these forms of activity which will play an increasingly significant role in leisure time and will be efficiently counteracting “physical degradation” (Bochenek M. 2008, Krafcik J., Gorner K. 2013).

Educational tasks cannot be realized by contemporary school without tourist activity which should serve as the main factor supporting didactic and educational process (Bochenek M. 2008, 2010, Junger J. et al. 2002).
The purpose of the presented research is to define the influence of the author’s own programme realized during extra physical education classes on the tourist activity of pupils.

Materials, methods and research organization.

In the research the method of educational experiment was applied on parallel groups with initial and final measurement. 272 primary schoolchildren from the southern part of Podlasie region were involved in the experiment (Table 1).  

Table 1. Participants of the research

The research was carried out twice, in the year 2002 (Test I) and 2010 (Test II). It was conducted exactly in the same way and in the same schools. The author’s own tourist programme was realized in the experimental group throughout the school year. The influence of this programme on the participation of children and youth in selected forms of activity was assessed with the use of the parallel group technique with initial and final measurement. In order to assess tourist activity a special pupil’s card was used where the subjects recorded all the forms of tourist activity they undertook. All the respondents received individual forms where they marked how much time they spent for particular forms of tourism in the four week period.       

After initial measurement the author’s programme “Tourism in my region – tourism for children” was implemented during additional physical education classes and was realized by experimental groups. Control groups participated in tourist activities included based on didactic and educational programmes previously implemented in schools.

The author’s tourist programme was based on five educational areas: adventure and tourist education, physical education, regional education – cultural heritage in the region, ecological education and socio-moral education. It included lessons and after-school outdoor activities in view of active forms of tourism in all seasons. In the programme particular educational areas were interconnected so that proper proportions between physical activity and learning content and skills were sustained. The tasks required proper training both before the trips and during their realization. The classes were held regularly during lessons and after them. 

The realization of the programme required such forms as thematic trips (walking, cycling, kayaking, skiing), sightseeing trips, tourist and sightseeing events such as rallies, hikes, hiking camps, canoeing rallies and collecting tourist and sightseeing badges. These activities were based on the cooperation with social organizations and various institutions and individual tourism organizers.

Final measurements in experimental and control groups were made after one year using the same research methods.

In the statistical analysis of the material the value of the chi square test and correlation coefficient were calculated. The significance of differences was at the level of p<0.05.

Results

Thanks to the analysis of the collected research material, the tourist activity in control and experimental groups measured in two tests was presented. The initial measurement revealed that the majority of the subjects from the control group (Test I) participated in hiking tourism (53.7%), and a slightly smaller percentage of the subjects from this group participated in cycling tourism (43.3%). A similar tendency was also noted in the experimental group. The most popular forms included hiking tourism (50.0%) and cycling tourism (48.6%) (Table 2).

Table 2. Extracurricular tourism activity of children and youth in the experimental and control groups in the initial measurement (Test I)

In the initial measurement of the second test a few years later (Test II) carried out in the control group the highest percentage of the subjects participated in hiking tourism (52.2%) and cycling tourism (49.3%). In the experimental group much less subjects were involved in hiking tourism (14.9%) as they preferred cycling tourism (71.6%). The remaining forms of tourism were not so popular among the youth in the initial measurement (Table 3).

Table 3. Extracurricular tourism activity of children and youth in the experimental and control groups in the initial measurement (Test II)

The value of the χ² test suggests that in the initial measurement carried out in 2002 the difference between pupils from control and experimental groups concerning their tourist activity is not statistically significant in any of the analyzed categories. 

In the research carried out nearly 10 years later the control group included a bigger percentage of individuals involved in hiking, kayaking and adventure tourism as well as coach and car trips. The highest statistically significant differences at the level of p<0.01 occurred between hiking tourism and cycling and kayaking tourism (Table 4).

Table 4. The correlation between tourist activity in the control and experimental groups in the initial measurement (Test I and Test II)

  p ‹ 0.05 *                              p ‹ 0.01 **                                    p ‹ 0.001 ***

In the final measurement of Test I the majority of respondents in both groups participated in hiking and cycling tourism. However, this percentage was decidedly lower in the experimental group. The control group also participated in such forms of tourism as kayaking, horse-riding, car or coach trips to a smaller extent. (Table 5).     

Table 5. Extracurricular tourism activity of children and youth in the experimental and control groups in the final measurement (Test I)

Similar results were also noted in the final measurement in Test II.  The biggest group of respondents participated in hiking and cycling tourism. However, in both cases the percentage of respondents from the experimental group was much higher than that of subjects from the control group. The rest forms of tourism were less popular among the respondents at this stage (Table 6). 

Table 6. Extracurricular tourism activity of children and youth in the experimental and control groups in the final measurement (Test II)

The difference between the groups concerning tourist activity in the final measurement (Test I) was statistically significant for all forms of tourism. In the second measurement (Test II) this difference at the highest level of significance was noted only in the case of hiking and cycling tourism. No differences were observed for the remaining forms of tourist activity of children and youth (Table 7).

Table 7. The correlation between tourist activity in the control and experimental groups in the final measurement (Test I and Test II)

p < 0.05                 *p < 0.02              **p < 0,01                   ***p < 0,001

In the experimental group, the percentage of subjects involved in after-school tourist activity changed in all the examined categories, which is proved by the results of the initial and final measurement (Test I). According to the respondents’ answers in the initial measurement, 48.6% of pupils were involved in cycling tourism, while in the final measurement it was declared by 87.1% of the subjects. Moreover, a significant increase was marked in the number of subjects involved in hiking tourism. An increase in activity was also noted in the case of kayaking and horse-riding tourism which, according to the initial measurement, had the lowest number of participants. As far as kayaking tourism is concerned, the number of respondents increased from 2.8% to 17.1%, while in the case of horse-riding tourism from 4.3% to 22.8% (Table 8).

Table 8. Extracurricular tourism activity of children and youth in the experimental and control groups in the initial and final measurement (Test I)

In test II in the experimental group a significant increase in the activity of pupils was noted in the case of hiking and cycling tourism. In the final measurement there were a few cases of involvement in kayaking tourism which did not occur at all in the initial measurement. The remaining forms had not changed significantly (Table 9). 

Table 9. Extracurricular tourism activity of children and youth in the experimental and control group in the initial and final measurement (Test II)

Differences concerning the involvement in extracurricular tourist activity which were noted in the experimental group when comparing the time before the implementation of the author’s own programme and the time after its completion appeared to be statistically significant in all the categories in Test I. In Test II statistically significant differences were noted only as far as hiking, cycling and kayaking tourism is concerned. However, the correlation between these variables was low (Table 10).     

Table 10. The correlation between the initial and final measurement of tourist activity in the experimental group

 p ‹ 0.05 *                              p ‹ 0.01 **                                    p ‹ 0.001 ***

In the control group slight changes were observed between the initial and final measurement of the involvement in extracurricular tourist activity (Test I).  The highest increase in the number of participants was noted in hiking tourism which, according to the results of the initial measurement, 53.7% of the subjects were involved in, while in the final measurement this activity was declared by 71.6% of the respondents. The remaining differences were slight. There was a small increase in the number of people involved in cycling and horse-riding tourism, while the number of subjects taking part in coach trips and kayaking tourism decreased (Table 11).     

Table 11. Extracurricular tourism activity of children and youth in the control group in the initial and final measurement (Test I)

In test II the control group was more involved in cycling tourism (an increase by 19.4%), a slight increase was in adventure tourism and car trips (3.0%) and hiking tourism (1.5%). In the other forms of tourism the values remained at the same level (Table 12). 

Table 12.  Extracurricular tourism activity of children and youth in the control group in the initial and final measurement (Test II) 

The research carried out in the control group in particular periods revealed statistically significant differences at the lowest level of significance only in the case of hiking tourism (Test I) and cycling tourism (Test II). In the remaining forms of tourism no significant changes were found (Table 13).

Table 13. The correlation between the initial and final measurement of tourist activity in the control group

p > 0.05           * p < 0.05            

Discussion

The presented results constitute only diagnostic material which may serve as a basis for conclusions for further activity. The decision to deal with the problem of defining tourist activity on the basis of the author’s own tourist programme was inspired mainly by changes in the Polish society concerning the model of spending leisure time, i.e. sedentary lifestyle, consumerism, as well as socio-economic situation of families.    

On the basis of numerous tourist events and teachers’ opinions, it was concluded that it is problematic for the majority of pupils from the schools in the region to bear costs of tourism. Therefore, forms of tourism which do not require big financial resources may be an inspiration and they improve health and well-being, educate and serve as an alternative to numerous indoor activities. 

Schools in Poland provide very few options of physical education and tourist activities compared to the needs of children and young people. Didactic and educational programmes include some suggestions of tourist activities; however, the participation of pupils is very scarce. A better offer in this field is provided by higher schools in bigger cities (Tomik R. et al. 2009).

Tourist activity depends on numerous factors. It is influenced by economic and social factors, environment, family and school (Tomczykowska P. 2013, Wartecka-Ważyńska A. 2007).

Among numerous forms of spending leisure time by youth in the years 2009-2010, the dominating ones included peaceful resting, short walks, social life or entertainment. Active forms of tourism were less popular and a low number of respondents were involved in them (Łaciak J. 2011).
In the tourist activity of the subjects in 2010 the most popular forms included family holidays, youth camps and holidays at the relatives’. Active tourism was performed by more boys than girls and the most popular forms included cycling tourism and water sports. Moreover, pupils’ trips were organized individually rather than by travel agencies (Wachowiak F. et al. 2012).

In 2012 the involvement of the Polish citizens in tourism increased by 8 percent and 51% of the Polish citizens travelled in the country or abroad. Pupils and students constituted a social group that was involved in tourism most frequently. On the basis of the observation of tourist activity of the Poles it may be concluded that the majority of the society organize their trips on their own, with little help of travel agencies and other social organizations (Łaciak J. 2013).

In winter when school holidays are shorter and the costs are higher, active forms of tourism are available for a small group of students with a better financial status (Parzych K. 2010)

It is important to know the obstacles concerning the involvement of children and youth in tourism and is recognized by teachers. These obstacles are connected with subjective attitudes as well as objective factors and when eliminated can provide wider involvement in tourism. The most commonly mentioned obstacles in this field are financial difficulties of families and the lack of financial resources at schools. A big group mentioned time limits resulting from the realization of the programme.     
The majority of teachers also mentioned the fact that the lack of motivation and additional remuneration is a problem. The least problematic issues for them included the lack of knowledge concerning several regulations, the lack of tourist equipment or the reluctance of parents. 

The fact that so many respondents do not organize activities outdoors at all or organize them only once per year or once per semester may be connected with a certain attitude of teachers worrying about the safety of their pupils. Information spread by the mass media bring about their concern, especially due to the fact that according to the regulations, the organiser is not fully protected. There is no doubt that organizing activities outdoors is connected with a huge responsibility and the lack of skills among teachers does not facilitate taking up such initiatives (Bochenek M. 2008, Kędra P. 2009).

The research by K. Denka (2013) revealed that a small percentage of teachers is engaged, eager and prepared for conducting extracurricular didactic and educational activities. 

Conclusions 

• Tourism is not a popular way of spending free time among the examined pupils. The most popular active forms selected by the respondents were hiking and cycling tourism.
• The author’s programme titled “Tourism in my region – tourism for children” influenced the way the subjects used their leisure time and increased their participation in active forms of tourism. 
• The implementation of attractive and varied activities based on the author’s own programme considerably influenced an increase in tourist activity of the respondents.
• It is worth drawing attention of organizers to the variety of forms of tourism and highlighting its health, social and educating values. 
• Due to the fact that it increases activity, the participation in tourism should equip pupils with knowledge and skills and shape proper attitudes towards physical activity. 

  References

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