Parents don’t have to hang up their hiking boots because of a new baby or an indignant 7 year-old. These days, it’s more important then ever that parents take an active role in offering outdoor activities to their kids. A recently released report by the Outdoor Foundation shows that:

Among boys ages 6 to 12, participation in outdoor recreation dropped from 79% to 72% in 2007. Among girls of the same age, participation dropped from 77% to 61%. These numbers also show an increased gap in participation rates, with girls’ participation behind, over 15%.

The survey found that for children ages 6 to 17, parents, friends, family and relatives are the primary motivation for starting their participation in outdoor activities.

Read the full report from the Outdoor Foundation

Form a Hiking & Nature Club

A great way to inspire friends and family members to enjoy all that nature has to offer is to get involved or host a community hiking and nature club. Plus, having additional friends along on a hike can make for great fun.

Learn more about forming or joining a club.

The Appalachian Trail is America's premier hiking destination. Traversing14 states along the eastern seaboard, it's practically in your backyard --within a days drive for over of half of the U.S. population. Offering outstanding scenery, glimpses at Appalachian culture and communities, and unique bonding experiences, family hikes on the A.T. are sure to provide one of a kind, lasting memories.

Maximize your experience on the trail, check out Tips for hiking with kids.

Why It’s Important

Richard Louv on NBC's Today Show
NBC’s Today Show featured a report July 16 on nature-deficit disorder and one Virginia parent’s efforts to help other families connect with nature. Host Ann Curry then conducted an in-studio interview with Richard Louv, who summarized the benefits that nature can have on children and the Children & Nature Network’s ongoing work to help people form local nature clubs.

New York Times Travel Piece
Written on the annual ritual of a mother’s hike on the Appalachian Trail with her two daughters, over seven years,