The North Face today announced that PlanetExplore, a new online resource for outdoor recreational activities, is now available in the New York region. Created by The North Face, PlanetExplore is an online community of national and regional organizations, helping people of all ages find local outdoor recreational activities.
The New York launch of PlanetExplore comes on the heels of The Outdoor Foundations recently released Special Report on Youth, which found that outdoor participation among youth continues to decrease each year, with the rate of decline steepest among the youngest age groups.
After launching in the San Francisco Bay Area, home of The North Face, PlanetExplore expanded into the Midwest with a Denver release, and is now available nationwide with the New York introduction. The site has partnered with more than 100 non-profit organizations across the country, offering many opportunities to discover a diverse array of outdoor activities.
To kick off the New York launch, PlanetExplore and New York Restoration Project will be hosting NYRPs Winter Warm-Up-a free event offering winter activities that encourage local exploration and expose youth to nature experiences-on Saturday, Feb. 13th. Supported by the NYC Green Stops, Winter Warm-Up will expose local children to hands-on activities in the non-profits Swindler Cove Park and the adjacent Highbridge Park.
“Kids and adults, especially folks from urban communities, NEED to get outside-time in nature makes them more healthy, fit, and even more happy,” explains Akiima Price, Chief of Education and Programs at NYRP. “Im so proud were partnering with The North Face and PlanetExplore to get people outdoors. And, by introducing New Yorkers to all the great organizations at the Winter Warm-up and on PlanetExplore, theyll be getting out even more in the months to come.”
Since The Outdoor Foundation began tracking youth participation in 2006, the rate of participation among girls 6-to-12 fell from 77 to 58 percent, while that of boys 6-to-12 fell from 79 to 69 percent, reflective of the inactivity and obesity crisis facing American youth today. The biggest barriers for non-participants were lack of interest, including screen time (TV, video games, and computers) at 39 percent, and lack of parental support, 17 percent.
“Thanks to the steadfast leadership and generous support of The North Face, young leaders from across the country will be empowered to reclaim, redefine and rediscover the outdoors,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of The Outdoor Foundation.
Other organizations supporting the Winter Warm Up include the National Parks Conservation Association of New York City, Greenbelt Nature Center, New York State Outdoor Education Association, and the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, among others.
Later this year, PlanetExplore, Backpacker Magazine and Outdoor Foundation will host the first annual Outdoor Nation event in New York City, the largest effort to bring youth together to discuss the challenges and opportunities around increasing youth outdoor participation.
