Building confidence in their own abilities is one of the most significant benefits reported by more than 100 teachers who took part in one of three courage hikes in the dark, organised from December to February by AS “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) together with the Latvian Association of Biology Teachers.

Under the guidance of LVM forest management foreman Kārlis Taukačs, the participants learned survival skills in the forest — how to find dry fuel in winter, how to choose a safe spot for a campfire, how to light a flame with a flint and how to extinguish it properly. They also honed their orienteering skills by navigating along forest ride lines, got to know the natural bounty to be found in the forest, and discovered various pieces of foresters' wisdom.

Vēsma Vijupe, head of the Latvian Association of Biology Teachers, shares her experience:

“Those nine kilometres of snowy trails had everything: mysterious shadows in the night, treetops vanishing into the sky, the struggle with yourself when your legs no longer obey and the elation when your strength returns, striking a spark with a flint, digging up reindeer lichen, stories about the riflemen, the colours of lichens under UV light. And above all, the sense of togetherness and safety provided by the hike leaders. I came away with experience and ideas for taking pupils on a similar hike. I wish all my colleagues the chance to experience a full-moon night hike through deep snow!”

The courage hikes allowed teachers to get to know nature in unfamiliar conditions – in the darkness of the evening. The hikes, roughly nine kilometres long and featuring educational tasks, took place in the area around Ložmetējkalns, creating a special atmosphere and an additional challenge in the orienteering process. Places at the events were filled in a very short time, testifying to the great interest among teachers and their readiness to set out on an adventure unlike any before.

Līga Abizāre, head of environmental education at LVM, emphasises:

“This response clearly shows that teachers are ready to step outside their everyday routines. It is precisely in such conditions that nature reveals itself as a versatile learning environment – in the dark the senses sharpen, a person becomes more aware of their own abilities and strengthens skills related to safety and survival. This is especially important in Latvia, where forests cover more than half of the country's territory.”

LVM has been delivering environmental education in schools since 2005, involving around 20 000 pupils in learning about the forest each year and providing free teaching materials for various age groups. More about the programmes: skolam.lvm.lv

Further forest education events, with the opportunity for schools to take part in tree planting and forest regeneration, will take place in the spring. The largest of these will be the forest education festival “Latvijas Meža dienas” in Tērvete, on 22 and 23 May. Schools are invited to register by 1 April by filling in the form: www.latvijasmezadienas.lv