A recent survey reveals that one in four city-dwelling children have never seen a deer or bird of prey, highlighting a significant disconnect between urban youth and nature.
The survey, conducted with 1,000 city-based parents and their children aged six to twelve, uncovered striking statistics:
- 21% of children have never attempted to climb a tree.
- 35% have never slept in a tent.
- 32% have never been camping.
- 39% have never eaten a meal cooked on a camp stove.
- 41% have never gone crabbing in rockpools.
- 39% visit the countryside no more than three times a year.
This research, commissioned by The Camping and Caravanning Club, coincides with the celebration of National Camping and Caravanning Week. The Club’s new president, Hamza Yassin, has launched an initiative aimed at providing essential wildlife and camping experiences to city families.
Hamza Yassin, who recently introduced over 40 first-time campers to the countryside, is passionate about sharing his love for camping and wildlife.
“I love going camping, connecting with nature, and experiencing wildlife. It’s something I believe all children should have the opportunity to do – because they are the future of protecting our natural world.”
Hamza Yassim
The study also revealed that:
- 63% of parents whose children have visited rural areas believe their kids would enjoy more such experiences.
- 46% of parents report that their children frequently express an interest in visiting the countryside.
- 54% of parents who don’t visit rural areas as often as they’d like cite a lack of time as the primary barrier, while 36% point to distance.
Despite these challenges, 55% of parents say their children prefer being outdoors, and 31% believe their children have a strong interest in nature and wildlife.
“Spending time outdoors through camping can be an amazing experience for children, giving them a sense of wonder and freedom. It’s a great way to connect with nature, see wildlife up close, and learn skills such as map reading, cooking, and pitching a tent. It’s beneficial in so many ways.”
Sabina Voysey, Director General of The Camping and Caravanning Club, emphasized the benefits of outdoor experiences for children.
The survey further showed that:
- 88% of parents believe it’s important for their children to experience the great outdoors.
- 87% wish there were more outdoor learning opportunities in schools.
- 54% worry that their children are missing out on key childhood experiences due to insufficient outdoor time.
- 52% of parents reported spending more time outdoors during their own childhood than their children do now.
- 63% are concerned about the availability of green spaces.
Hamza Yassin also highlighted the educational benefits of outdoor learning, especially for children with learning difficulties, such as his own experience with dyslexia. “Learning in the outdoors not only teaches children to protect and respect the natural world, it supports all of their learning needs. It gives children the freedom to explore, enhancing their creativity and imagination and fostering a sense of adventure. Camping and sleeping in the outdoors is one of the best ways to experience this.”
In his new role, Yassin aims to make camping accessible to as many people as possible. Alongside the camping event, he has created a free ‘connecting with nature’ activity pack to further encourage outdoor engagement.
This initiative and the accompanying competition for camping experiences and equipment underscore The Camping and Caravanning Club’s commitment to bridging the gap between city children and the natural world, fostering a future generation that values and protects the environment.