ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the historical development, cultural differences, educational applications and contexts of outdoor sports and activities within the Czech Republic. It argues that Czech outdoor history has been externally influenced by the country's geographical position in the centre of Europe. Turistika also involves other outdoor and cultural activities for example local history, art, music and entertainment, mushroom and berry picking. Many people also continue traditions of mushroom and berry picking, along with playing games while walking in the many forests of the Czech Republic. W. Krouwel suggested that the vacation school lipnice dramaturgy methods and balance of creative games offered a different approach to facilitating outdoor and experiential education programmes. The Czech educator Comenius wrote about outdoor experiences and games some 400 years ago. In the 19th century, however, the main influence on activities in nature in the Czech Lands was the rapid development of Sokol and the Turisticky club.
