I, Narek Davtyan, as a participant of the “Open Basin” sub-grant project, will present our four-day training courses, application of our knowledge gained in practice and impressions. On the first day, the project expert and trainer Vahagn Vardumyan told us what ecotourism is, what types it has, what programs there are in Armenia on it, and how to develop it. We talked about some examples of rural ecotourism programs, such as Kalavan, Dsegh and Artavan.
On the second day, we got acquainted with the devices and programs designed for electronic navigation and mapping. One of them was, for example, the ViewRanger phone application, which allows you to do electronic mapping without activating the Internet connection. At the end of the course, each participant tested this magic app in their communities and did their first mapping. We also got acquainted with HikeArmenia, Wikiloc applications, the OpenStreetMap software.
The third day of the course was more interesting, when we got acquainted and started testing the software of Google Earth and Google Maps. Using Google Maps as a platform for editing and finalizing the trail routes and other map data, we also learned to do remote mapping on Google Earth. We conducted an interesting practical workshop in groups and, after receiving coordinates with the task to find them in real dimension, we began to test the walkie-talkies (radiotelephones) to learn using them during route exploration. In the end, we discussed the lesson and figured out how to orientate ourselves in the area much faster, to navigate to a chosen location more correctly, and, if necessary, to send location data.
As soon as we got home, we made some electronic mapping in some beautiful and unique places in our marz, as an exercise to practice what we learned. On the fourth day, we got acquainted with the hiking rules and the required equipment, as well as learned some hiking safety tips. Our trainer did not spend a single minute aimlessly. He also taught us certain skills related to the correct use of the camera, the principles of taking interesting photos and videos.
We also learned about the basic principles of uploading texts and photos on Google Drive and other virtual repositories for storing and archiving.
As an impression, it should be mentioned that it was an opportunity which would simply be a big omission for the rest of the life, if we would have missed it. Everyone needs to know all of these skills one by one as they are of great importance to all of us.
We are grateful to our dear Vahagn Vardumyan and all the people who supported this productive and interesting program.
It should be noted that the “Open Basin” sub-grant project is implemented by the efforts of “Blejan” Environmental, Social and Business Support NGO within the framework of “EU for Culture.
Stronger Communities and Local Initiatives” program. The project is funded by the European Union with the support of the Institute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association (DVV International), the Media Initiatives Center, the Museum Employees and Friends Association and the Armenian Center for Democratic Education (CIVITAS).
Author: Narek Davtyan
Participant of the “Open Basin” sub-grant project.
