Sunday, June 5, 2022

excursion to the Ziriò trail

San Rizzo Hills Messina

The first phase of the FOR WOODS AND HILLS project concludes on Sunday, June 5, 2022, with the fourth excursion.

We walked the ZIRIO' path and it was the right way to complete this first phase of the project.

This 2430-meter long trail passes through various forest environments.

The tree cover in this area is composed of maritime pine and chestnut, managed by coppice. Other species include Aleppo pine, black pine, Douglas fir, and black locust. The undergrowth consists of elderberry, brambles, and ferns. Halfway along, the trail overlooks the Tyrrhenian coast and the Peloritani mountain range, offering a panorama that stretches from Monte Scuderi to Mount Etna, Rocca di Novara in Sicily, the Gulf of Milazzo, and the Aeolian Islands. The mountain's historical legacy is evidenced by the "snow pits," simple structures used to store and mature snow, and the shelters built during the Second World War.

But as you can see from the photos, there is a large equipped area that allows you to organize a "snack" in complete comfort.

If I remember correctly, someone had repeatedly indicated that a light and easily digestible meal is advisable on excursions, but this was precisely what encouraged the transgression.

This pleasant transgression is welcome, because we enjoyed the delights prepared by everyone with a variety of sweet and savory dishes worthy of a ceremony.

In addition to the usual games for children and adults, we awarded the title of EARTH CUSTODIAN to the children who participated in the training program.

A wonderful group formed, sharing these experiences with pleasure, and we promised ourselves we would continue on this journey of simple games, rediscovering the desire to be together, playing equally for adults and children, and experiencing nature with respect and admiration.

See you soon, this is just the beginning and obviously the necessary and heartfelt thanks to those who were involved:

Thanks to Dr. Chiara Rando (biologist), Renato Cancelliere, president of the Peloritani Radio Amateurs Association, and Rosario Ciccolo, who organized the four training sessions held at the Passamonte school.

Thanks to the excursion leaders Ettore Liotta, Rosario Ciccolo, Renato Cancelliere.

Thanks also to my brother Matteo, with whom we conducted the necessary pre-excursions to determine which routes would be safe and suitable for even the youngest children.

Certainly thanks to Professor Domizia Arrigo, director of the XI Paino Gravitelli Comprehensive Institute, who has always supported the initiative by making the Passamonte school available.

A special thanks goes to some parents with whom I had the opportunity to discuss the project during the planning phase and who were instrumental in providing me with their advice.

Thanks to those who were able to capture essential moments with their cameras.

Thanks to all the adults who participated, much of the credit for the success goes to them, because they approached this experience with the right spirit.

Last but not least, the children, who were the true protagonists and represent the opportunity to improve our future. (We should have seen how they went out of their way to pick up the waste that others before us left on the paths we walked.)

We must and can be optimistic

Davide Liotta

May 22, 2022, CEPPAZZI Colli San Rizzo Messina route

May 15, 2022 ABC Colli San Rizzo Messina route

April 24, 2022, CANDELARA 1 route, Colli San Rizzo, Messina

The "FOR WOODS AND HILLS" project, which has an educational and community-based nature, was born following the successful experiences of the "Batticinque" summer camps and the "Jambo" winter camp, in which students aged 6 to 13 participated in accordance with the Ministry of Education's "Summer School Plan 2021. A bridge to a new beginning."

It is a training course that combines sporting practice with the valorization of our hilly and mountainous territory (Peloritani and Nebrodi) with the aim of creating an Educational Pedagogical Project that can be translated by children and young people into action in everyday life.

The project is aimed at children and young people aged 6 to 13, with the aim of introducing them to and encouraging them to enjoy hiking and sports. It seeks to introduce young people and their families to a "slow" approach to sports tourism that can be enjoyed close to home.

The main themes of the project are:

Travel, understood as "walking together" and as the development of socialization, cooperation, and the testing of one's potential and physical abilities.

Knowledge of the environment, reading and understanding the natural components of the domestic and surrounding territory: geomorphology, animal and plant associations, and processes of human intervention.

The lectures, held in the classroom, are related to the theme of hiking and address topics such as:

The project also pays close attention to the natural environment as a whole and the ecosystems present in the area.

As regards the environmental part, the topics covered are:

TRAINING is structured through classroom lessons and excursions, led by specialists.

On topics related to the territory, the existing natural environment, practicable hiking and the history and human activities carried out.

These topics can easily be linked to local projects already completed by students or planned.

They are also reflected in many subjects studied during the year such as geography, science, art and image, Italian, history.

If the primary task of education is to shape humanity, the choice to educate implies taking on the responsibility of not leaving young people to fend for themselves and instead preparing them to renew a world that will be shared by all.

For this reason, the project “FOR WOODS AND HILLS” in the form of a SPORTS activity will have as its essential value the KNOWLEDGE of our environmental and landscape resources in order to acquire as a fundamental value RESPECT, understood as a feeling that gives importance to people, the environment and the rules.

In a context of INCLUSION of those who are often excluded or marginalized from sporting activities.

The “FOR WOODS AND HILLS” project also aims to engage FAMILIES, as the excursions and sports activities will encourage the involvement of participants' families.

The possibility of using various sports practices, such as hiking, cycling and horse riding, will be characterised by a powerful aggregating and educational value, stimulating the healthy competitiveness of the group without exacerbating individual competitive dynamics.

The aim is to educate children about non-violence, both physical and verbal, and about the role of rules as useful boundaries for personality development.

The objectives that we intend to pursue through the experience are:

We have scheduled 4 excursions in the Peloritani Hills, which will take place on the following Sundays:

April 24 - May 8 - May 22 - June 5

They are all easy routes to practice with modest differences in altitude and can be completed in extreme safety.

The meeting time is 9.00 am and the excursion starts at 9.30 am and ends at 12.30 pm.

The walking time is estimated at an hour and a half, with the remaining time dedicated to snacks and games.

Training sessions at the Passamonte School will be held from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM before the excursion on the following dates:

April 22 - May 6 - May 20 - June 1

Participation in the FOR WOODS AND HILLS course involves a participation fee that we have tried to keep as low as possible, which will be paid to the ARB ETS Cultural Association, during the training meeting that will be held at the PASSAMONTE school

The training session is INCLUDED in the cost and each session will be held from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM on the following dates:

April 22 - May 6 - May 20 - June 1

You must be a member of the ASD ARB Messina sports association to ensure injury coverage.

And you can choose:

- the single excursion pass costs €3

- the card valid for all 4 excursions costs €6

- the card, valid until August 31st, costs €10 for children and €15 for adults.

NB: The children who participated in the BATTICINQUE campus in July 2021 are already registered.

Please note that at least one parent is required for each participant; both are recommended, as they may be involved in the games we play during the excursions.

OF COURSE ADULTS PAY NOTHING

To register, please fill out the following form.

Each excursion requires a minimum of 22 participants and a maximum of 40, NO more for safety reasons.

By:

ARB ETS Cultural Association

ASD ARB Messina

with the collaboration of Renato Cancelliere in his capacity as President of the PELORITANI RADIOAMATEURS association

STAFF composed of:

Chiara Rando (biologist)

Renato Cancelliere

Rosario Ciccolo

Ettore Liotta

Davide Liotta