Why Is Ansan Youth Orienteering Popular in Seodaemun-gu?

Seodaemun-gu 'Orienteering' Program Passing Points Marked on Map Gains Popularity... Conducted at Ansan in Seodaemun-gu from May to July and at Seodaemun Independence Park from September to November... Children Participate Engagingly Like a Game Remotely, Enhancing Physical Activity

Children participating in 'Run and Learn Seodaemun' are looking at a map with Moon Seok-jin, the mayor of Seodaemun District, to find the next target location.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) announced on the 8th that it is conducting ‘Run Run Learn Seodaemun,’ a program held at Ansan (鞍山) Yeonhui Forest Rest Area to promote physical activity among children, which tends to decrease due to social distancing measures.

This is an orienteering program where participants complete a course by passing through points marked on a map in nature and then compete for records. The program runs for three months from May to July.

Children and adolescents aged 5 to 16 living in the area can apply by referring to the announcements on the district office website, and 300 participants can join for free each month.

Participants receive a map and instruction manual delivered to their homes, which they use to familiarize themselves with the course, how to read the map, and precautions, and then experience the program at their preferred time.

Depending on the difficulty level, participants can choose among the White, Yellow, and Orange courses, with distances ranging from a minimum of 0.5 km to a maximum of 2.5 km.

By sequentially finding about 10 target points installed on each course and scanning QR codes, participants’ records are saved.

Since it can be enjoyed like a game in a non-face-to-face manner, it received enthusiastic responses with all designated spots filled in May as well.

On the 31st of last month, Moon Seok-jin, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, who participated in ‘Run Run Seodaemun’ with children, said, “Even with masks on, it was very admirable to see the children excitedly completing the course while looking at the map,” and added, “We will continue to put more effort into projects that promote children’s right to play.”

Chae OO (9, 2nd grade at Hongyeon Elementary School), who participated in the course experience, said, “It was difficult at first, but as I kept looking at the map and finding the points, it became very fun, and I enjoyed running freely in the forest,” and added, “Next time, I want to try a more difficult course.”

Oh Young-ok, director of the Our Neighborhood Care Center in Hong Eun 2-dong, said, “Children often take walks in Ansan, but they find orienteering activities even more fun,” and added, “It is a great opportunity for children to engage in physical activity and sweat.”

The district office signed an agreement with Green Hour (CEO Lee Jeong-hoon), a specialized preliminary social enterprise for orienteering, and is promoting ‘Run Run Seodaemun’ as a ‘child-led integrated play education’ program. From September to November, a new course is planned to be held at Seodaemun Independence Park.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.