Eco-Learning Institute connects non-hikers to nature

Mongtan Middle School students participate in a rock-climbing session at the Bukhansan Eco-Learning Institute in Seoul on May 10. /Korea Times Photo by Kim Se-jeong

By Kim Se-jeong

On May 10, students from Mongtan Middle School in Muan, South Jeolla Province, spent a day at the foot of Mount Bukhan in northeastern Seoul, making wooden nest boxes for wild birds.

Divided into groups of five or six, they nailed pieces of wood together into boxes at the Bukhansan Eco-Learning Institute and attached the boxes to trees out in the woods.

“I didn’t expect making the box to be so fun,” Kim Lee-sol, 14, said. “I feel great to be able to make a nesting place for birds.”

After making boxes, Kim and her classmates rock climbed and learned Tyrolean traverse, a mountaineering activity, at the institute’s compound.

Even though Korea is known for its casual weekend hikers, the Bukhansan Eco-Learning Institute offers opportunities and activities that non-hikers can enjoy.

Public outreach is an important work of the institute for young and old. “One of our main jobs is to get young people interested in the mountain and hiking culture,” said Hyun Byung-kwan, the education training chief at the institute.

Mongtan Middle School students make wooden nest boxes for wild birds at the institute./Korea Times Photo by Kim Se-jeong

Programs for youth

The institute’s programs for young children have a strong educational focus, with the hope of inspiring them to make a career out of mountaineering.

It invites students to workshops on plants and animals, history of national parks, mountain safety and environmentally-friendly building codes. The students learn to trace wild animals through their excrements, distinguish local species of plants from exotic ones and give a national park tour. The institute’s pool of professional trainers assists the students on the trails.

The institute also has many partner schools in the city, and the students take part in its outdoor activities as part of their extra-curricular activities.

Some students join the program as volunteers.

The Bukhansan Eco-Learning Institute has a one-day program that lets children make wooden next boxes for wild birds and collect exotic species of plants — they make T-shirts with the plants.

For children who want more adventure, the institute offers mountain exploration, mountain climbing and mountain hiking sessions, during which the participants learn hiking basics, including CPR and emergency management skills.

The institute offers over-night programs where the participants can stay at its facilities.

In these programs, professional trainers, who are certified by the institute, teach them mountain exploration, interacting with nature, identifying species and making T-shirts and arts and crafts.

People dry their calligraphy during an eco-brunch session, a popular program offered by the institute./Courtesy of Bukhansan Eco-Learning Institute

Programs for adults

The Bukhansan Eco-Learning Institute isn’t just for children. It also provides programs for adults.

The eco-brunch is a popular program, giving elementary mountain exploration, an organic lunch and a short afternoon activity in four hours. The afternoon activities include calligraphy, photography and poetry writing. People also enjoy the Korean dishes made with organic ingredients.

The program, which costs 20,000 won is offered only to a group of guests who make up their own program.

Participants of the eco-brunch have commented that they enjoyed the institute’s fun activities, the tranquility of the surroundings, and the quality time shared with their friends and colleagues.

The institute now wants to invite those who need to relieve their stress without traveling far outside Seoul.

The institute opens its facilities to family guests for an affordable over-night stay, during which guests can enjoy the various outdoor activities, mentioned above, with the help of trainers.

A man tries a Tyrolean traverse, a mountaineering activity, at the institute./Courtesy of Bukhansan Eco-Learning Institute

How to participate in the programs

Mongtan Middle School teacher Lee Hyung-joon said the quality of the programs made him choose the institute as a field trip destination for his students.

“I am glad to see students enjoying their time so much. I am happy that we have chosen this,” Lee said.

Opened in 2011, the Bukhansan Eco-Learning Institute is affiliated with the Korea National Park Service, which opened another eco-learning institute at Mount Jiri in 2015.

For more information about the Bukhansan Eco-learning Institute and for reservations, visit https://eco-institute.knps.or.kr/index.do or www.knps.or.kr.

Reservation is required to participate in the programs and use the facilities.

Students listen to a guide who assists them to explore nature near the institute./ Courtesy of Bukhansan Eco-Learning Institute