HALF OF THE US POPULATION DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN OUTDOOR RECREATION AT ALL

[arachadillo]

Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), released the latest Outdoor Participation Report, showing about half the U.S. population participated in outdoor recreation at least once in 2018, including hunting, hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing among many more outdoor activities. Unfortunately, the report highlights an alarming trend that just under half the U.S. population does not participate in outdoor recreation at all.

Here are some highlights:

Less than 20 percent of Americans recreated outside at least once a week.
Americans went on one billion fewer outdoor outings in 2018 than they did in 2008.
Of the people who report they go outside, 63 percent report they go outside within 10 miles of their home.
Kids went on 15 percent fewer annual outings in 2018 than they did in 2012.

https://outdoorindustry.org/resource/2019-outdoor-participation-report/

[hlthe2b]

1. That is just sad...

[jr1118x]

2. Maybe if added wifi would help.

I wonder if some of the National Parks had wifi if would help. I hate when go to the parks and can't get Cell service.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

3. Back when I worked, I liked returning to work from a national park vacation: ...

Boss: Glad you're back. We've been trying all week to get in touch with you. Don't you answer your phone or read your email?

Happy, smiling, relaxed underling: Didn't I mention I was going to xyz National Park? They don't have wifi or cell service. What'd I miss?

[exboyfil]

4. And the fact we have allowed ourselves to get to this point

Is a sad commentary on our society.

When I was in account management, I remember fielding calls from my customer while at Universal Studio. I never got paid for overtime.

17 years ago I went back into engineering. I am in a lower level engineering job (a grade or two below those 15-20 years younger than me), but I am far happier. My company doesn't know my cell phone, and I only use the laptop when I can't get to work. We have one car, and my wife brings me to work. I don't know if I have enough saved for retirement, but I don't plan to spend money (of course medical will screw up any plans - it is what chewed up my parent's savings and it will mine as well).

[FirstLight]

5. I am grateful every day that I moved away from urban/suburban life...

As the sprawl continues to grow it's just continued commercialism. People now see going shopping as an "outing"...

I moved to the mountains in the early 90's...now it's like a lifetime and the world at large has changed SO much! every time I go anywhere near even the smallest infrastructure, I am struck at the lifestyle shift. All the strip malls, all the SAME restaurants and shops...it's weird.

ETA:
I regret that I don't get out as much as I could...but I still hit the beach, kayak, hike and get my feet in a stream much more than my parallel-universe-self who stayed in the city

[Lunabell]

6. Why are you yelling in your title?

I like my climate controlled environment, thank you.

Also, my wife is disabled in a wheelchair. Not too many w/c accessible activities we can participate in.

[arachadillo]

7. sorry

sorry, I think I just copied and pasted the headline and it was in caps

here's another I just found about lack of outdoor activities...maybe it's money

Colorado Parks and Wildlife announces the Daily Vehicle Park Pass fee for each of Colorado’s 41 state parks will increase by one dollar effective Sunday.

A Daily Vehicle Park Pass is now $9 for most parks, $10 for Chatfield, Boyd Lake and Eldorado Canyon state parks and $11 for Cherry Creek (because of the Cherry Creek Water Basin Authority fee). Annual Park Pass and Commercial Park Pass entrance fees will remain unchanged.

ten bucks just to park a car