The concept of youth becoming more and more disconnected from nature while also becoming less physically fit has caught the public’s attention. A core element of this concern is that kids are not participating in outdoor activities at the level of past generations. There appears, however, to be conflicting data regarding youth participation in outdoor activities.
There are two surveys that shed some light on the issue, though they do not agree on all points. The National Survey on Recreation and the Environment (NSRE) is a nation-wide survey effort conducted by U.S. Forest Service researchers. It is a random-digit-dialed household telephone survey measuring 60 outdoor recreation activities. In 2007, a “National Kids Survey” component was added to the survey instrument. The other survey to be discussed here is the 2008 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report, a national survey commissioned by the Outdoor Foundation. This report has focus on youth, diversity, and the future of the outdoors.
The two reports depict different trends. According to the NSRE Kids survey, youth are spending more time outside than in the past year or two. Conversely, the Outdoor Foundation reports an 11% drop in participation from 2006 to 2007. While the two reports diverge in many ways, they do agree that teenage girls, are trending towards less time spent outdoors.
So, what do kids do outside? Both studies track participation in distinct activities, though as is mentioned by the NSRE-based report, the Outdoor Foundation is “oriented mostly towards physically challenging outdoor activities, and those that involve manufactured outdoor equipment”. The top youth activities (nationally) from each survey are listed below:
NSRE National Kids Survey
- Just playing outside or hanging out
- Biking, jogging, walking, skate boarding, etc.
- Listen to music, watch movies, or use electronic devices
- Playing or practicing team sports
- Reading, studying while sitting outdoors
- Other sports, e.g., tennis, golf
- Attending camps, field trips, outdoor classes
- Swimming, diving, snorkeling, etc.
- Bird watching, wildlife viewing, etc.
- Hiking, camping, fishing, etc.
Outdoor Foundation Outdoor Recreation Participation Report, 2008
- Bicycling
- Running/jogging/trail running
- Skateboarding
- Fishing
- Camping
Other Notes
Participation is often measured in terms of participating once within a year of the survey. Therefore, it is important to consider frequency of particpation. As the Outdoor Recreation Participation Report (2008) notes:
- “42% of youth participants take part in an outdoor activity only 30 times a year or less. The infrequency of their participation in outdoor activities suggests youth are not satisfying the minimum recommended activity levels suggested by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”
The Outdoor Recreation Participation Report (2008) also notes that “few youth ages 6 to 17 cite the media, experienced mentors and outdoor education programs as motivations to begin participating in outdoor recreation.” Parents, friends, and relatives are the biggest influences.
The NSRE National Kids Survey makes a significant note that warrants sharing:
“The roles in shaping trends that sharply fluctuating gas prices have played during the past year and that the recession has played since January 2007 remain unclear. Perhaps declines in employment and incomes in some households, combined with the cost of electronic devices, games, and related services, has affected household ability to afford as much of these products as in the past. And, perhaps unemployment has increased time at home for many adults, a change that could well affect how kids spend time. Many other factors also could be at play, which is why further research is needed.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE STRATEGIES THAT WILL GET KIDS ENGAGED IN THE OUTDOORS? SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS.
Maine State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Blog 