The Outdoor Foundation has announced the release of the 2008 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report, the only detailed study of its kind tracking American participation trends in outdoor recreation.
The findings highlighted in the report are areas of both opportunity and concern: while overall participation in outdoor recreation among Americans is increasing, the connection to nature among youth is declining.
The 2008 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report, is based on an on-line survey capturing responses from over 60,000 Americans ages six and older and covers 114 different outdoor activities, making it the largest survey of its type examining participation in sports and outdoor activities. The survey represents a collaborative effort among The Outdoor Foundation, Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, National Golf Foundation, and SnowSports Industries America.
The report provides important insights into trends in participation in outdoor recreation among all Americans, with focused looks at youth, diversity, and gender.
According to the report, over 50% of Americans participated in outdoor recreation in 2007, getting outside 11.36 billion times -- either close to home, in a nearby park or on an overnight trip.
While the increase in participation comes as good news to the outdoor recreation industry, the report also reveals over an 11% decline in participation in outdoor activities among youth age 6 to 17 with the sharpest declines among youth age 6 to 12.
The insights detailed in the 2008 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report are critical to efforts nationwide seeking to understand and reverse the growing inactivity crisis among youth and the growing disconnect between youth and the outdoors.
"Children in America are suffering from the effects of obesity and inactivity at unprecedented levels," said Chris Fanning, executive director of The Outdoor Foundation. "Teaching youth the benefits of a healthy active outdoor lifestyle will ensure healthier children, healthier communities, and healthier businesses."
Key findings contained in the report are:
Participation Among All Americans
- Participation in outdoor activities increased in 2007 to 50.0% of Americans - from 134.4 million American participants in 2006 to 138.4 million Americans.
- Americans made an estimated 11.36 billion outdoor excursions in 2007
- either close to home, in a nearby park or on an overnight trip.
Youth Participation
- Participation among youth ages 6 to 17 dropped over 11% in 2007.
- Participation among boys and girls age 6-12 experienced the sharpest drop. Girls had the biggest decline falling from 77% to 61%. Boys fell from 79% to 72%.
- Most youth are introduced to outdoor activities by parents, friends, family, and relatives.
- For youth, "fun" is by far the most common motivation for participating in outdoor activities. Other motivators include discovery, exploration, new experiences, and exercise.
Diversity