The School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University recently congratulated and thanked Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority for the successful delivery of their Geocaching project.
Dr. Sara MacBride-Stewart attended a Geocaching celebratory event that involved a geocaching activity and group presentation held at the National Park Visitor Centre. She explained how Cardiff University has carried out a study about Geocaching in the Bannau Brycheiniog and how the activity helps people connect with their natural environment.
Over the last three years, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority has taken nearly nine hundred young people aged between eleven and twenty-five who are vulnerable or socially excluded and provided them with an opportunity to learn about and take part in geocaching. They Authority has also recently worked in partnership with Ysgol Penmaes to create an accessible geocache trail around Brecon Town centre and hosted a Cardiff school to be the first to try it out.
Cardiff University asked questions and recorded data from those taking part in Geocaching and also from group leaders. The study focuses on how physical activity, Geocaching and the natural environment can improve the wellbeing of young people in Wales. Dr. MacBride-Stewart emphasised that Geocaching can make nature interesting, fun and accessible for young people. She explained that wellbeing is about how an activity ‘feels’ rather than what we ‘do’ and Geocaching plays a fundamental role in enhancing how the experience of nature ‘feels’ to an individual.
Julian Atkins CEO at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said;
“Our Geocaching project has been a major success and is a prime example of how we are achieving against the objectives of the Well-being of Future Generations Act. I would like to thank our partners from Sport Wales, Cardiff University and also from Ysgol Penmaes, as a collective approach is essential in developing new activities if they are to be successful, as this study shows”.
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