Last year, I taught my 13-year-old son how to kayak surf off the coast of North Carolina. We rode wave after wave for seven days straight and thoroughly enjoyed the modest break over the sandbars. On one ride, we augured spectacularly and, as we surfaced, I asked Cole if he liked kayaking. “Are you kidding? I live for this!” he said. As members of the outdoor industry, everyday we make “I live for this” a reality for some child, somewhere in the U.S.
Fast-forward to different reality: Did you know that the average child spends 35 hours a week in front of the TV, and that fewer than 25 percent of school-aged children participate in daily physical activity? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of overweight/obese youth has more than tripled since the 1970s.
Whats more, studies confirm that one-third of all American children and teenagers are overweight. Estimates indicate that number will grow to nearly 50 percent by 2010. Poor diet and inactivity are working together to cripple this generation, and health care providers, educators, government officials and the general public all agree that something must be done.
Our nations children are in crisis-one that is devastating not only to their health and longevity, but also to the health of our industry and environment. Decreased participation in outdoor recreation and youth inactivity are at an all-time high. The time is now for us, as individuals, as companies and as an industry to affect change.
Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) founded The Outdoor Foundation four years ago with the mission to inspire and grow future generations of outdoor enthusiasts, and with the vision to be a driving force behind a massive increase in outdoor recreation in America.
The Outdoor Foundations approach has three strategies to achieve its mission and make its vision a reality.
Beginning immediately, The Foundation is working to:
Provide multi-year funding for organizations and programs that introduce youth to outdoor recreation activities through sustained and mentored experiences while building capacity, increasing self-sufficiency, connecting key players and having a significant return on investment. The Outdoor Foundation will work with organizations that have a strong, long-term strategic and financial commitment to the relevant program.
Establish an annual youth summit to organize stakeholders, encourage collaboration and foster communication.
Invest, expand and communicate active lifestyle research.
In the past four years, The Outdoor Foundation has taken some significant steps forward. Our research has become a vital tool for the industry to communicate the (in)activity crisis to the world, and the Teens Outside program is growing as word of its success continues to spread.
According to The Outdoor Foundations custom study, “Exploring the Active Lifestyle,” if you invest in recruiting participants at a young age, they will become life-long participants. The study, conducted by Harris Interactive, also reports that participation in human-powered outdoor activities is an ingrained behavior.
Most participants start at a young age and are heavily influenced by already participating parents or close friends. Starting participants when theyre young teaches them to love and appreciate the outdoors, the study states, adding that the personal challenge and health benefits are what keep these kids participating throughout their lives. Helping current participants involve their young kids earlier will facilitate the ingrained behavior.
The Outdoor Foundations grants to the National Park and Recreation Association (NRPA) to support a Teens Outside program is the perfect example of leveraging local resources and community involvement to help combat the national inactivity crisis and inspire kids to participate in outdoor recreation.
By the end of 2007, more than 3,560 teens across the country and 250 mentors were involved in the Teens Outside program. Geographically, the program spanned 21 communities in 15 states. Success of Teens Outside means impacting the lives of more than 50,000 teens and their families over the next five years.
The time is now for the industry to take action. I urge you to become part of the solution. Begin by re-engaging your own children with nature. Join the foundation on any level-as a mentor, corporate sponsor or program/grant sponsor. Please visit The Outdoor Foundation website for additional information at outdoorfoundation.org.
Together, we will make a difference to get kids active and truly live in the outdoors.
