KidsOutdoors campaign draws to close
KidsOutdoors, The Scout Association’s campaign to inspire new outdoor adventures has officially drawn to a close. Launched in February 2008 on a floating activity centre in London’s Docklands, the campaign has generated awareness for Scouting, new funds and has helped reposition Scouting as an important voice on national issues effecting today’s young people.
What was KidsOutdoors?
The Scout Association began the campaign in response to evidence that UK children were spending less time outside than ever before. Enlisting support from partners as diverse as the British Heart Foundation, British Youth Council, Outward Bound and the DoE, Scouting led calls for a better environment for young people to get outdoors.
From the outset, the idea was that campaign would be driven directly by young people and an innovative website allowed them to share stories, videos and images of their outdoor adventures. The site received some 45,000 visitors during the campaign. From mountain biking in Glentress to skiing and snowboarding in Austria, visitors shared their enthusiasm and knowledge for the outdoors – including details of up coming events and activities.
Campaign outcomes against targets
- To get 1 million additional outdoor actions by young people taking part in the outdoors every year.
Locally, Scouting promoted activities and adventure under the KidsOutdoors banner – appealing to those who had not previously considered supporting the Association. Nottinghamshire Scouts recruited new members after turning the city centre into a temporary activity centre.
- To bring more people to Scouting – for advice on healthy lifestyles; to join as a youth member; to join as an adult volunteer…
44,000 visits to the website showed the level of support and interest in the campaign.
- To raise funds
The campaign achieved significant income, which is now being used at a local level to help start new Scout Groups, improve facilities at Scout centres and campsites, and to subsidise activities for young people who would not otherwise be able to afford them.
- To give young people a greater voice on an issue that we know matters to them
The media responded enthusiastically to the campaign with local and national coverage, and notably, it was young people who took centre stage – further strengthening our Young Spokesperson initiative. - To highlight the skills development though outdoor activities – self-reliance, self-awareness, teamwork, lateral thinking
These skills were highlighted in all communications, and are now many of the key messages about Scouting.
- Remind people that Scouting is relevant to today’s youth – and that this is what young people are saying
Young Spokespeople made their voices heard on youth issues.
From our volunteers
‘Supporting active lifestyles,’ was central to the campaign says Adam Jollans, County Commissioner for Hampshire and lead volunteer for the project. ‘It was about getting young people excited by the fun and freedom of the outdoors. And one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors is, of course, to join Scouting.
‘KidsOutdoors helped give young people a voice on the issues that really matter to them. It helped focus the nation’s attention on three things that really matter – young people, adventure and enough adult leaders to deliver it. These remain our priority.’
Thank you to everyone who took part
Whether you organized an event, made a donation or posted a story on the website you have made a valuable contribution to helping Scouting’s become a relevant, growing movement, widely respected and valued by all sectors of our society.