A typical Norwegian family Sunday trip in Jegersberg with games and campfires.

Activities:

Everybody took a piece of wood the Norwegians had supplied for us and carried it to the cleared area in Jegersberg at the south-eastern end of Nedere Jegersbergvann.

First we played warm-up games: catch, freeze tag and shark attack (fish tank). After a couple of rounds, we put our skis on and played the same games to get comfortable with moving on skis. All activities raised the energy level of the group and also sparked conversation between established friend groups.

Afterwards the group was split in two while obtaining an even ratio of internationals and Norwegian students. My group started off with ski-jumping and a slalom-challenge, the other group was split again into four teams to compete in a biathlon. The small groups were a great way to get into contact with the Norwegian students more. Learning each other’s names was mandatory. Participants without ski boots like myself were racing on one leg in the biathlon and left with observing for the slalom and ski-jump part.

When the racing was done, we all gathered around the campfires, grilled sausages and had lunch. After a short observation period of the Norwegian students’ eating habits, the art of freeloading was practiced across all students as a way of getting hot drinks or pølse.

Testing of equipment:

Skis and boots: Boots had not arrived at the time, therefore no testing possible.

Mitts are not warm enough if the only occupation is taking pictures and observing for more than 30 mins. They could be improved by wearing woollen mitts underneath.

Lessons:

Updated version of Norwegian friluftsliv: The focus lies more on socialising in nature than on savouring time in nature.

No one really seemed to care about nutritious food on trips as short as half a day.

Norwegian kindergarten kids were playing in the same area we were staying in. This gave us a practical example of how their education involves playing outdoors with area boundaries being the only restrictions. Even the caretakers took part in some of the activities such as racing and jumping small ramps on sleds. Note: None of the kids got injured. Moreover they seemed to be well aware of the limits of their own abilities.

Group Dynamics:

Due to widely differing experience and skill levels on skis, more experienced skiers helped the others out with advice and teaching by example.

Some even offered their ski boots to the students that had not yet received theirs. I believe this can be seen as a sign of good group cohesion.