Wild camping under the Soviets

[boatman]

On the Community Channel watching "Tramping in Bohemia" more or less a reprise of a film I saw years ago of youngish people hiking (tramping) in Soviet Czechoslovakia. What struck me was, oddly, the freedom they had under a Soviet system. No problem about where they wild camped, for example, apart from military closed areas. Apparently fewer young people do it now which is sad.

But then in the sixties I was wild camping all over as were many of my friends and current obsessions with legality did not enter either our heads or those of most landholders.

 

[Toddy]

I think it's a very different world now though.
Folks started talking about insurance, compensation, public liability, fault/blame and vandalism suddenly became endemic.

Previously folks asked to sleep over, and they were usually advised where best to pitch to be out of the weather, offered the use of a tap, and it was politely mentioned that the farmer's missus might have eggs/butter/ham/cheese/tatties for sale.

Look back to the hungry thirties and there's the roots for many of the climbing clubs, etc., folks just needed a breath of fresh air that didn't cost them. No fancy clothes, working boots, a blanket and a bit of oilcloth. A wee tin with tea and sugar and a bag of oatmeal.
It wasn't luxurious, but they managed, and they roamed the hills.

Now, if it doesn't have a 'label' on it, most folks won't wear it, most of the kids would be too embarrassed to be seen in it.
Silly, but it's the way the world is.

M

 

[Stevie777]

Too many distraction now for the younger generations. we all know what i'm talking about.

The outdoors when i was a Kid was my/our entertainment, our sanctuary, a place were we could lose ourselves and a day.

I dont mind, for selfish reasons i suppose, that Kids dont go into the sticks as much. An old fart like me prefers the solitude now. though i could do with the old well worn paths that i used to walk when fishing. Now i need a Machete just to get a back cast.

It's shame that the youth of today miss out on so much of the better things in life. in fact i would go as far as to say it's criminal that they do...No Cubs, No Scouts, No Youth clubs...We all no why? it's just not worth it for genuine people to use their own time to teach kids about the great outdoors without the need to be vetted on every aspect of your life.

 

[sandbender]

"....On the Community Channel watching "Tramping in Bohemia" more or less a reprise of a film I saw years ago of youngish people hiking (tramping) in Soviet Czechoslovakia. What struck me was, oddly, the freedom they had under a Soviet system. No problem about where they wild camped, for example, apart from military closed areas. Apparently fewer young people do it now which is sad..."

It was much the same in Hungary, I'm not sure if they could simply walk anywhere but hiking and camping were encouraged and there were several long distance paths that criss-crossed the country.

One of those walks (The Blue Tour) featured in Hungarian Documentary in the seventies and became extremely popular, it is quite long at 1100 kilometres, you can see some scenery and some old school rucksacks in the opening credits below...

[video=youtube;FSZEqdmcGKk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSZEqdmcGKk[/video]

I have seen school groups out walking those paths today but that isn't the norm, most Hungarian teenagers (the ones in Budapest anyway) would be too concerned about messing up their hair or losing smartphone access to get out and about in the countryside (and I'm talking about the boys here) .

At home in Scotland, my elder siblings would spend a great deal of time away walking in the hills and sleeping out, part of that may have been the lack of ready money and entertainment available to them, catching a bus to Glencoe with your friends and spending a couple of nights away was much cheaper in the fifties and sixties.

In the thirties my father saved up for a bicycle and traveled much of Britain, sleeping under a blanket and in the occasional youth hostel, this was possibly an easier and safer option than today as there were fewer vehicles on the road.

--

As an aside, before any Czech members jump in, there was never a Soviet Czechoslovakia (other than the bit of the Ukraine that used to be Czechoslovakia that they permanently ceded to the Soviet Union). Czechoslovakia like Hungary was a Socialist Republic.

 

[bopdude]

Too many distraction now for the younger generations. we all know what i'm talking about.

The outdoors when i was a Kid was my/our entertainment, our sanctuary, a place were we could lose ourselves and a day.

I dont mind, for selfish reasons i suppose, that Kids dont go into the sticks as much. An old fart like me prefers the solitude now. though i could do with the old well worn paths that i used to walk when fishing. Now i need a Machete just to get a back cast.

It's shame that the youth of today miss out on so much of the better things in life. in fact i would go as far as to say it's criminal that they do...No Cubs, No Scouts, No Youth clubs...We all no why? it's just not worth it for genuine people to use their own time to teach kids about the great outdoors without the need to be vetted on every aspect of your life.

I think that there are a couple of statements in your post that are a bit harsh, both on the younger generation and the older, what do you mean no Cubs, Scouts and Youth clubs ? and no-one to teach them. There are still clubs up and down the country and folks ( a lot on here ) that run them.................... " We all know why " sorry, I don't.

 

[MertzMan]

I think its a cultural thing as opposed to anything done by the Soviets or Soviet Republics. Wild camping is still popular in the Baltics, Poland and Russia. Neither is it a generational thing, it is still common amongst younger people too.

 

[mrcharly]

Cubs and scouts are as popular as ever. Duke of Edinburgh bronze courses are packed.

Don't think much has changed, meself.

 

[Kerne]

Cubs and scouts are as popular as ever. Duke of Edinburgh bronze courses are packed.

Don't think much has changed, meself.

I agree. I help to run DoE at my school and we sometimes have to turn applicants down at Bronze level (200 kids in the year, max 70 places - often over 100 applicants). Also, folk on here may not be a representative sample - I walked and camped as a kid in the 70s but most of my contemporaries didn't do it then and they don't do it now. However, it's true that there was a much more relaxed attitude to where you could or couldn't camp back then. On the other hand we know have CROW which has opened upon a lot more of the countryside. Swings and roundabouts?

As for the OP - possibly a lack of alternatives in those days helped to make it popular. One of the great things about Europe now is that you can meet people from countries that formerly didn't allow their citizens across their borders. For example - had a pleasant evening chatting to Bulgarians a couple of years ago on a Greek island. Their parents generation had never left the country.

 

[sandbender]

"...you can meet people from countries that formerly didn't allow their citizens across their borders. For example - had a pleasant evening chatting to Bulgarians a couple of years ago on a Greek island. Their parents generation had never left the country...

Both my mothers and fathers parents only left the UK to fight in wars, my father was only abroad during his National Service in the late nineteen forties and then remained UK bound for the rest of his days. My mothers first trips abroad were when she was in her late sixties. This whole traveling abroad for pleasure thing is a comparatively recent thing for most folks.

 

[Toddy]

There used to be within this Scout District, eleven cub packs. There are now five. The Scout Groups used to have two and three troops, now there's one.

It's good to hear that they are still active, but they aren't as much as they were.

Same with the BB's, still active but not in the numbers that they were; and both groups constantly need adult leaders.


M

 

[tankie]

I think the demise of outside adventuring has been declining down here in Kent for years due over cautious polices of youth groups and Kent county council evoking health and safety and other safety issues , I tried for years to take kids out to show what was out there, and was continually stopped by my then employer K C C ,
I think now there has been a slight turn around, but it's too late for me, as youngsters now regard me as an old fart, at 57!
My own kids have been camping and enjoying the outdoors from a very young age, and I think my family are the only ones to go on camping weeks with a main battle tank ! .
I am still very active on the outdoor scene , although not as mobile as I used to be on my feet ,I'm still out travelling and camping in vehicles and boats.

 

[nettles150390]

Too many distraction now for the younger generations. we all know what i'm talking about.

The outdoors when i was a Kid was my/our entertainment, our sanctuary, a place were we could lose ourselves and a day.

I dont mind, for selfish reasons i suppose, that Kids dont go into the sticks as much. An old fart like me prefers the solitude now. though i could do with the old well worn paths that i used to walk when fishing. Now i need a Machete just to get a back cast.

It's shame that the youth of today miss out on so much of the better things in life. in fact i would go as far as to say it's criminal that they do...No Cubs, No Scouts, No Youth clubs...We all no why? it's just not worth it for genuine people to use their own time to teach kids about the great outdoors without the need to be vetted on every aspect of your life.

I think it's a very different world now though.
Folks started talking about insurance, compensation, public liability, fault/blame and vandalism suddenly became endemic
.......
Now, if it doesn't have a 'label' on it, most folks won't wear it, most of the kids would be too embarrassed to be seen in it.
Silly, but it's the way the world is.

M

Both these post highlight different parts of the problem and IMO its all comes down to one aspect.
I've worked with kids for the the last 5 years doing outdoor activities, in the cadets and later in outdoor education now I'm only young myself and yet I can see the difference. People do have distractions, computers and the internet are quick and easy ways for pedants to get there kids to act "qeuitly" and the media and social influence hype up these instant gratification machines. Kids are more concerned about looking after and keeping clean the 40 pound top their 100 pound trainers. Those that do go out side have a tendency to vandalise things weather intentional or not. Simply lighting a fire in a wood and not cleaning it up could be considered vandalism. And not just that but the world is a bit more unsafe now. People being raped/killed in broad day light. Mugged, beaten up.

IMHO, from what I've seen it all comes down to one thing. A lack of respect.

A lack of respect to each other to like someone regardless of what they're wearing and how they look. A lack of respect for other peoples property of not leaving things a mess of not destroying things. A lack of respect towards our own property of if somethings broke its thrown away not repaired. I could go on with examples but that's my opinion anyway

 

[Stevie777]

I think that there are a couple of statements in your post that are a bit harsh, both on the younger generation and the older, what do you mean no Cubs, Scouts and Youth clubs ? and no-one to teach them. There are still clubs up and down the country and folks ( a lot on here ) that run them.................... " We all know why " sorry, I don't.

Just going on personal experience in my area. Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Guides, BB's and Youth clubs...all gone i'm afraid. Thomas Hamilton and Paedophile scare stories in the media have put a end to things the way they were. I know for a fact that's why my Scouting days ended..Unfounded Rumours. The poor guy just never turned up one day. i found out 30 years later from his daughter why.

 

[Stevie777]

And not just that but the world is a bit more unsafe now. People being raped/killed in broad day light. Mugged, beaten up.

Personally i dont believe today is any more violent than yesterday and i'm going back decades here. The likes of the Brady's and Hindley's and rape and murder have always been. it's just that we have instant access to the information that it appears to be on the increase.

Anyway, without going off track tooooo much. Our Kids need to get out into the sticks for real and away from Medal of Honour Jungle edition for their Sticks Kicks.

 

[Stevie777]

Cubs and scouts are as popular as ever. Duke of Edinburgh bronze courses are packed.

Don't think much has changed, meself.

Nowhere near as popular as it used to be.

 

[Tengu]

In my village the youth club is now a `Youth development centre`

Which, if I was a youth, would put me off pretty quick.

 

[Macaroon]

Both my mothers and fathers parents only left the UK to fight in wars, my father was only abroad during his National Service in the late nineteen forties and then remained UK bound for the rest of his days. My mothers first trips abroad were when she was in her late sixties. This whole traveling abroad for pleasure thing is a comparatively recent thing for most folks.

One of my elderly neighbours went off to Malaya to do his national service at the end of WW2, but before and after that he's never even once been to Newport, the nearest thing to a city near us; 7 miles one way is a small market town, and 8 miles in the opposite direction is another; he's been to one of them twice and the other once and feels absolutely no sense of loss or lack because of it. He has a broad outlook on life, is well balanced and pleasant in his manner and is very well read and interesting to talk to. His answer to anybody who remarks on his lack of travel is to say " when you know half of what's within 5 miles of where you live, come and tell me about it".

Although I've travelled extensively and lived for fairly long periods in different parts of the world, I often think there's much merit in his attitude

 

[Tengu]

Im not the travelling type myself, -never been abroad.

 

[dabberty]

As you might know, Czechoslovakia doesn't exist for many years already
I live now a bit more then 10 years in the Czech Republic, and love it here.
Here's a little insight about the Czechs vs nature.

30% of Czech Republic is covered with forest, mostly around the borders.
In every state school each class has each year 1 week which they call "school in nature". This is where the kids go into nature, learn all kinds of things about the forest, waters, farms, animals, etc.
Other then that, many people own a holiday house, where they retreat in the weekends or holidays. They are usually up in the mountains or big forests.
The youth go there as well to celebrate birthdays, school holidays, etc, etc.
I give training to kids and teenagers twice a week, and about 95% of them go occasionally camping, to the mountains, to the forest, sleep under the stars, etc.
During the holiday season, kids go to all kinds of camps, like music camp, outdoor camp, sports camps, etc, etc. This means they sleep on camping grounds in tents, sit around the main fire every evening to discuss the day and plan the next one, sing songs with guitars, cook potatoes, corn, meat on the fire, and so on.
Most of them know which wood to gather for a camp fire, how to build a fire ring.
I didn't mean a single kid yet above 10 years old, who does not own a backpack, sleeping pad and bag, and a tent.
Scouting is also still big here.

Open fire is of course forbidden, but if done safely with a fire ring, some water near by etc, no one will every say anything about it.
Many times during hiking I come across fire places, and a wood stack. You can use it, and as long as you take your trash and fill up the wood stack, all are happy.
only in a few national parks, camping and open fire is strictly forbidden, and people keep to it.

Parents take kids on the yearly mushroom hunt, they learn which ones are eatable and which ones are not. Sauces, fried, boiled, cooked, stuffings, no escape from mushrooms during the mushroom season

Now if I would compare the Czech youth to the Dutch youth, (I'm originally from The Netherlands), then I see a big gap in outdoor knowledge.
In The Netherlands, there is almost no forest, and in the few we have, you're not allowed to go of the trail, and definitely not stay the night / open fire.
Most Dutch bushcrafters have their own hidden places, do stealth camping, and maintain a strict 'leave no trace' policy.
But the youth, some have no idea where milk is coming from, and think that meat is made in a factory.

All in all, Czech Republic (as well as Slovakia) has some amazing nature, that people use a lot. In every season of the year you will meet hikers on the well marked trails, but if you know your way around, you can also easily hike 3 days without meeting anyone.

I love living here

For some examples of hikes, and landscapes, check out my blog, many video's and picture reports there.
For those interested in Svojet era army bases, check the one trip report about it, you will like it a lot for sure

D.

www.dabberty.com

 

[nettles150390]

Personally i dont believe today is any more violent than yesterday and i'm going back decades here. The likes of the Brady's and Hindley's and rape and murder have always been. it's just that we have instant access to the information that it appears to be on the increase.

Anyway, without going off track tooooo much. Our Kids need to get out into the sticks for real and away from Medal of Honour Jungle edition for their Sticks Kicks.

I not saying that they weren't always there yeah they were and yeah the current technological age does make things seem unbelievable worse. But I disagree with the idea that the world isn't more violent. Crime statistics show increases in crime, and even though I'm only young I've seen differences. When I was younger I remember my dad could leave his car unlocked all night without having to worry. No chance of that happening no even in the same area