The Outdoor Foundation and Outdoor Retailer announced a major new initiative designed to activate a new generation of outdoor participants and consumers. With industry support, the campaign will invest in grassroots community programs that involve local retailers in projects that connect young people with outdoor recreation activities driving business and participation. All donations will go directly to support on-the-ground (and water) projects.
During online badge registration for Outdoor Retailer attendees will have the opportunity to support outdoor outings for youth and young adults across the United States. For $20, registrants can underwrite an outdoor outing for two young people, $50 an outing for five, $100 ten, and for $500, individuals can support a college outdoor program.
“We are pleased to work with the Outdoor Foundation to form a deeper, more active partnership to support their efforts to grow youth engagement and participation in outdoor recreation,” said Liz Crawford Outdoor Retailer, VP of marketing. “By adding a link to the Outdoor Retailer registration page to encourage industry donations we are able to quickly raise awareness with the industry, and immediately add value to this relationship. We look forward to continuing our support of their great work with the Outsiders Ball and other initiatives.”
The partners plan to involve the industry in project selection and will share weekly success stories through Outdoor Retailer’s social media channels engaging the industry in this important cause throughout the year.
The effort builds on the success of the Outsiders Ball, the outdoor industry’s flagship fundraiser that supports community and campus projects. Since its inception two years ago, the event has funded 200 projects across the country that have connected more than 30,000 youth with the outdoors. Tickets are available now for this year’s Ball, which will be held on August 4, 2015 at the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City.
“The Outdoor Foundation is thrilled to be working so closely with Outdoor Retailer to address one of our industry’s most important issues. We hope everyone will join us and help inspire a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts and consumers,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation. “The vitality of our industry depends on getting more young people into the outdoors, which will ensure healthier and more conservation-minded communities while ultimately growing business for the outdoor industry.”
The goal of the partnership is to help combat the inactivity crisis prevalent among youth and young adults in America. The statistics are staggering. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average young person today spends eight hours in front of a screen and only eight minutes outside and active.
The Foundation is working to mobilize a cultural shift that leads all Americans to the great outdoors. Over the past five years, the Foundation has invested $4 million into 500 not-for-profit projects and college programs, connecting nearly 200,000 young people with the outdoors. This effort is helping to get more young people outside and active, investing in the future of the outdoor industry.
