Fewer Youth Heading Outside Each Year
Christine Fanning, executive director of The Outdoor Foundation, said the amount of young people heading outdoors is dropping each year, according to the Outdoor Industry Association. The Foundation's Special Report on Youth, which focuses on young people ages 6-24, draws on the responses of over 40,000 Americans captured in an online survey covering 114 different activities. Although outdoor participation has fallen each year, the report finds nearly 60% of American youth participating in outdoor recreation. A lack of interest and a lack of time are the top barriers keeping youth non-participants in outdoor recreation indoors. Running, bicycling, fishing, camping and hiking are the most popular outdoor activities among youth.
The above video highlights the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships.
Check out Dropping the Ball, our report on youthful surfers and rock climbers in the October 2005 issue.
--Stayton Bonner
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