The trip on Sulafjellet starts nicely on a gravel road, but turns into sparse mountains and wild nature after a couple of kilometres. 800 young people from various schools will try to reach Vardane this day. There you will find a panoramic view, the joy of mastering and a peak that is 772 meters above sea level. 8th graders on their way down after a school day on the mountain. Photo: Tore Ellingseter / news – This is very positive. During school hours, I often think we would like to be outside more and move more. This is a great way to get us out. Alida Brandshaug is brilliantly cheerful after the school day in the open air. She reached the top in a team with friends from Giske junior high school. There were a few falls on rough terrain, but it didn’t matter. – I grew up walking a lot in the mountains, but I live on a flat island, so it hasn’t been that much lately. Wants to change the timetable Alida says that she will not go out after school when she can sit inside with her mobile phone. She thinks the school should offer more such days, preferably half days. – We have many small mountains and short trips that we can easily take home at Giske. It should be much more implemented in the school day. There is a nice gravel road on parts of the route on Sulafjellet. Photo: Tore Ellingseter / news Turglede with Opptur Since 2004, the Norwegian Tourist Association has organized Opptur in collaboration with the schools. They do this simply to give the 13- and 14-year-olds a taste of outdoor life, and to introduce them to tours in the local area. The recovery date is 3 May, but with local date variations. Young people can choose between a long and a short route. Quick facts about OPPTUR OPPTUR is a national hiking day for Norwegian eighth-graders, organized by the Norwegian Tourist Association’s (DNT) member associations. OPPTUR has been organized every year since 2004. Over 34,000 young people took part in OPPTUR, i.e. more than half of all 8th graders in the country. Around 120 OPPTUR events are held across the country each year. The tours are about 10 km long. The local member associations of DNT take responsibility for marking a nice trail to a peak or a viewpoint in the local area. DNT provides guards along the way to ensure that everyone arrives safely. The focus of the event is social gatherings, nature experiences and physical activity. In most places there are various competitions and activities both along the way and in the target area. Participation in OPPTUR is free for schools. Source: DNT Over 30,000 took part in Opttur before the pandemic. This year, over 20,000 young people can boast of having walked about a mile. Almost 70 schools from all over the country are registered. Downswing after upswing. Pupils on their way down after being at the top of Vardane on Sulafjellet. Photo: Ingrid E. Gjelsvik 9 out of 10 go on a walk A short walk is actually the most common outdoor activity for children and young people between the ages of 6 and 15. 92 per cent said they had gone for a walk of less than three hours during the year. This is according to the living standards survey from Statistics Norway from 2020. The Norwegian Tourist Association still believes that recruitment is important. That’s what Kristin Oftedal says. She is responsible for children and young people in DNT. – We are worried about young people who are not active and who do not know hiking areas in the local area. By doing this during school time, everyone must be involved. Kristin Oftedal is subject manager for bans and young people at DNT. She believes OPTTUR makes young people discover the joys of hiking. Photo: Private – Many people get an a-ha experience when they discover that they can actually walk a mile. Many have never walked this far on their own two feet. We think this could be the starting point for more hiking activity. Reached the top For Alida Brandshaug from Giske, the day has added flavor and the tourist association has achieved exactly what they want. After the hiking day, she is inspired to get out more. – I want to travel to other places to go for a walk. The view from Sulafjellet is nice. Photo: Ingrid E. Gjelsvik
ttn-69
– We spent the whole school day on the iPad, this was fun
