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Adventure Park

by Dr. Ferenc Bóka

Adventure parks are facilities that were introduced in the 1990s and offer sporting and recreational activities in a natural environment for both adults and children. It is a combination of a sport center and a theme park, where visitors are motivated to spend their free time actively with physical activity and entertainment. As people become more and more health-conscious, adventure parks become increasingly wide-spread. Gaining knowledge and new skills through experience and adventure come more and more to the foreground in education as well. Adventure parks, with the accommodations and teaching centers that go with them, became great venues for class excursions or out-of-school classes. All of these parks can offer interesting, few-day programs for school children (sports, bicycle/water/forest tours, lectures on the environment and nature, etc.)

The adventure course usually consists of an adult, a children’s and a mini course. All participants should wear appropriate clothing, footwear and special safety equipment. Before you step onto the course a trained member of the staff shows you the general guidelines. The adult course can be used only above 140cm height. Nowadays, there are more than 50 adventure parks in Hungary.

Which skills can be improved at an adventure park:

  • coordination of movement
  • static and dynamic muscle strength
  • discipline – concentration – coordination
  • team work
  • stamina
  • endurance

Safety rules and regulations are quite strict at the parks and are conform to European norms. The facilities can only be used to everyone’s own responsibility, of which visitors sign a contract when entering. Parents should sign for the children under age. The use of safety equipment and participation at the short demonstration are obligatory. Staff are usually made up of rock climbers or PE teachers. Children may only enter the courses under the supervision of a member of the staff or a parent. It is important to choose the adequate course according to the age, height and physical condition of the child.

Many other sports can be tried out at the adventure parks besides going through a climbing course, for example, archery, wall climbing, water sports, quads, etc.