Lena Molander
I am an outdoors geek in all aspects. I was basically born in to Friluftsfrämjandet, with a mother who volunteered as a leader to a group within their children community called Skogsmullarna. Quickly I realized how fun it is to guide children and young adults through the various adventures that can be experienced when spending time in the nature, as strövare, frilufsare and TVM. The leadership assignment I had in Friluftsfrämjandet I shared with my own outdoor adventures. And my adventures were eventually shared with young adults in Friluftsfrämjandet, where we experienced lots of paddling and hiking in the forest as well as in the mountains.
No connection can be compared to the one that you experience in the nature together with other people; a bonfire, the coffeepot hanging in a chain above. The sleeping bags are laid out in the windshield and it gets crowded and cozy when everyone is trying to make room for each other.
But the adventure isn’t far away, it can be just around the corner. It’s all about having an open mind.
In 1990 I started working at fritidskontoret in Ulricehamn, and due to my huge interest in outdoor activities the task of being responsible of the operation and development of hiking trails, bathing areas and outdoor areas came natural to me. Within this area there has been an incredible development during these years. The interest in outdoor life in all forms is really trending, which is also recognized in the hospitality industry. Visitors are interested in both our nature, but also the activities that it offers.
Outdoor support
For a couple of years I worked as a project manager for a Leader project called ”Vandra i Sjuhärad” where the aim was to highlight and market the hiking trails that had such a good quality that they could be a part of a package solution for hiking tourists. The project has continued in slightly different forms for six years. Now Sjuhäradskommunerna, with a few exceptions, have decided to continue the collaboration around ”Cykla och vandra i Sjuhärad”.
The collaboration consists of a few different parts, partly to inspire the inhabitants of the municipalities to use our cycling and hiking trails from a public health perspective, one feels so good just by spending time outside, but also to increase the hospitality industry by being able to offer good bicycle and hiking packages.
Previously the project has fallen due to the lack of someone who coordinates and sells the packages – but that’s what I’m going to do now! I feel confident in the skills and experiences that I’ve gotten through my outdoor interest and the job I’ve had for a long time. I know what this is about. I am surrounded by talented people in the tourism business in the municipalities that are supporting me 100%.