Brit kids want to explore the outdoors more
The great British outdoors; grandparents have fond memories of it, parents grew up in it, and now Brit kids want to experience that same thrill of being out in the fresh air and getting up to all sorts of little adventures.
In fact, three quarters of British children have said that they would like to kick the habit of being addicted to technology and spend more time outdoors, according to new research from energy giant npower.
So what’s stopping them? Surprisingly, these kids revealed that they are actually prevented from exploring outdoors by their parents.
Half of the children surveyed said they want to go outdoors and learn how to pitch a tent or tie a knot, but their mums and dads want them to stay in and develop their computer skills.
The research also found that a third of British children admit they are addicted to computer games and TV. As nearly all kids across the UK spend more than three hours glued to the computer screen, TV or mobile phones, the fact that a majority of them would rather be outdoors is welcomed news.
Clare McDougall, npower’s head of education and community, said: “We really believe that if young people spend more time outdoors they will learn to love and respect the environment and they’ll want to preserve it for future generations.”
Furthermore, the npower research showed the 36 per cent of children spend more time cooped up indoors than they do outside in the fresh air. The poll revealed they are more likely to be able to use Sky+ or an iPhone than read a map or tie a knot.
The research was part of npower’s SOS campaign to educate young people across the country to give them basic life skills.
The figures are released as 100 of the UK’s greenest young people are heading to the Lake District, after winning npower’s Climate Cops SOS competition and showcasing their passion for the great outdoors.
During the trip they will take part in an adventure master class with survival expert Ray Mears. The educational programme looked for Britain’s greenest young people by working with schools across the country in an effort to inject passion for the great outdoors back into the hearts of the nation’s youths.
Each of the ten winning schools, from across the UK, were asked to devise and implement a group activity which celebrates adventure and encourages their fellow peers to go outside and enjoy the great outdoors.
Clare added:“These figures show that our young people want to spend more time with Mother Nature and learn new skills. We’re excited to have found Britain’s greenest teens and hope that this week’s experience with Ray Mears will help them learn more about themselves and their environment.”
FemaleFirst @FemaleFirst
Shabana Adam @Shabs_A