According to a new outdoor recreation activity survey released by The Outdoor Foundation, youth participation in outdoor activity is in sharp decline.

The survey included 114 different outdoor activities including hunting and fishing, capturing responses from over 40,000 youth aged six to 17. This was the largest survey ever done on youth outdoor activity participation. The reasons for the decline are adjustments in the lifestyle brought about by a challenging economy, shifting demographics and changing times.

Youth, so the surveys find, spend more time indoors. The outdoor participation of youth aged 6 to 17 dropped 16.7 percent. The biggest drop was noted among the youngest (6 to 12) that fell a staggering nine percent. There is a wide gap between ethnic groups in the outdoor participation. Caucasians are more active in the outdoors than any other ethnic groups.

The survey also finds that children who do not participate in outdoor activities are more likely to engage in illegal substance abuse and become subject to other negative peer pressures. The survey further states that obesity, poor physical condition, and social behavioural problems are some of the problems resulting from lack of outdoor activity exposure.

At the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club the lack of youth outdoor participation has been noticed too. In recognition of this fact the club has over the years initiated several programs aimed at children, teenagers and families. These are the popular fishing programs such as the Family Fishing Day, Angling Ambassador Program and the annual ice-fishing derby. Starting last year, the club offers an annual youth archery program and just last month started a youth .22 rifle shooting program. The archery and rifle shooting programs not only provide sport, but also teach hand and eye coordination, responsibility and teamwork, and lessons that can be used in daily life.

The Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club, promoting conservation since 1969, is involved in numerous wildlife and habitat conservation programs. The return of the wood ducks to the Merritt area was helped along by our wood duck nesting box program that provides the birds with nesting opportunity. There are also other programs that benefit wildlife, waterfowl, fish and their habitat. Youth are more than welcome to take part in these programs. Not only is it fun, but just as importantly, as the generation of nature stewards grows older new people are needed to carry on. Wildlife and nature depend on us. Without our stewardship wildlife and habitat will decline. A good start to learn more about the importance of becoming a conservationist is to enrol in the Conservation Outdoor Recreation Education (C.O.R.E.) course. This course is mandatory for every person wishing to become a hunter here in British Columbia. But as the name of the course implies you do not have to be a hunter to take the course. The C.O.R.E. course is a perfect way to teach young people about wildlife and habitat. Getting young people involved in such programs is good for their bodies and minds. It teaches them about nature and provides a sense of achievement for years to come.

Let's get the kids away from the computers and out into nature; it’s good for them, for conservation, and ultimately, for the environment.

For more information about the many youth activities the Nicola Valley Fish & Game has to offer visit their website; nvfishandgameclub.ca.