Adventure
Kids and Adults are Urged to Go Outdoors!
By Bass Pro Shops
Posted: May 9, 2008 - 8:26:00 AM

Many of us can remember a time when we actually went outdoors to play, or attended summer camp.  We got bumped, scraped and bruised, stung, bit and sunburned.  But, we learned about the outdoors-how to fish, pitch a tent, make a campfire, identify which plants (and snakes) are poisonous and count the stars at night.  It was the real world.

In today's world, adults and kids of all ages spend countless hours in front of hand-held monitors or TV screens playing video games. They get caught in the artificial worlds of watching television shows, chatting on the Internet and text messaging.  Bottom line, kids and adults are not getting enough time outdoors.

During the National Go Outdoors Event going on at 46 Bass Pro Shops store locations from May 17th through May 26th, the company is offering kids and adults all kinds of ways to get off their couches and go enjoy the great outdoors.  Events include a video game trade-in, outdoor skill demonstrations, and interactive booths and displays.

"One of the most exciting and invigorating places to go this summer is just beyond your front door," said Larry Whiteley, Bass Pro Shops Manager of Communications.  "Bass Pro Shops is committed to helping adults and children across the nation put away their laptops, video games, PDAs and cell phones this summer and head outdoors.  Whether it's fishing, hiking through a local park, or simply laying on your lawn watching the stars at night, there are so many great things to do outdoors this summer."

Why is this important?

Bass Pro Shops' National Go Outdoors event is a way to give kids (and adults) the chance to learn about the outdoors and the reason why is simple.  Kids need this chance to re-connect with the outdoors to learn valuable lessons -how to swim, how to camp, first aid, survival techniques, orienteering, conservation-but more importantly, to become good stewards of the land and its natural resources, to feel good about themselves and to improve their general health and well-being.

Listed below are some supporting facts and figures:

. Long-term health concerns among children are increasing. According to information from the US Fish and Wildlife Web site (www.fws.gov), Americans, kids especially, spend less time playing outdoors than any preceding generation.

. Kids spend an average of 6.5 hours a day with television, computers and video games and are six times more likely to play a video game than ride a bike.

. In fact, of all the major recreational activities in 2006, bicycling suffered the worst in declining participant numbers (down 13.3% from last year) according to an annual report by the National Sporting Goods Association.  ("Sports Participation Series I and II")

. Stress, depression, obesity, and low self-esteem among children are on the rise.

Why is going outside good?

. According to information from the US Fish and Wildlife site, nature is good for your health.  New research shows that children who feel connected to nature have better physical, mental, and emotional health.  

. Other various studies have shown that kids that engage in outdoor classrooms have improved grades and test scores.

. These same studies show that kids involved in the outdoors are more motivated to learn and achieve.

. Studies suggest that families that interact together outdoors create lasting bonds by making life-long memories.

One incentive to get more kids to turn off computers and go outdoors is the Video Game Trade-In.  For each video game kids and adults bring in Wednesday through Monday, May 21st through 26th, they will receive a 15% discount off the regular price of Bass Pro Shops branded items in fishing, water sports, tents, sleeping bags and footwear.

These 'gently-used' video games will, in turn, be donated to local children's hospitals via Get Well Gamers, a nonprofit organization.  Those videos with a more mature theme will be donated to our military serving overseas.  Videos turned in that are unusable due to condition will be recycled by an appropriate e-waste facility.

Other exciting events being offered to entice kids and adults to go outdoors include canoe and kayak demonstrations, casting contests, rock climbing walls, GPS classes, outdoor skills workshops on boating safety, Dutch oven cooking, outdoor survival training and much, much more. (Events will vary per store.  Please visit www.basspro.com/gooutdoors and select individual store location for events listing.)

The Coast Guard Auxiliary and Stearns Safety Team will be on hand at most Bass Pro Shops store locations offering water safety courses and advice on how to properly fit life vests.  You can even bring any old or non-fitting life jackets into your local Bass Pro Shops on Saturday and Sunday, May 17th and 18th, for recycling and receive an instant discount of $5 to $50 off the purchase of a new Stearns life jacket or SOSPENDERS(r) inflatable PFD.

This year, commit to taking your kids outdoors. Bring in the old video games to Bass Pro Shops during the National Go Outdoors event, interact with your family in the great outdoors and make some memories to last a lifetime.  You might even get the urge to go back to summer camp!


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