New Belgium Brewing is giving away 13 bikes in 13 different cities to people who will trade in their cars. On their website it say, “It’s about weaning yourself off the petroleum teat. It’s about becoming a better, sexier person. It’s about rediscovering the cultural thrill of public transportation.”

All you have to do is submit a video of your story and why you want to be car free. Check out their website for all the details at New Belgium.

I was just going over the 2009 Participation Study by the Outdoor Foundation. It is a interesting report covering what is happening in the outdoors and who is participating. The report showed that there were increases in outdoor activities and that more people were returning to nature. Both hiking and camping showed increases of 9% and 7% respectively. 48.6% of Americans ages 6 and older participated in outdoor recreation and 43% of the outdoor participants are female. One of the sad statistics showed that “43% of outdoor participants get out less than every other week — shedding light on America’s current obesity and inactivity epidemic.”

The report shows that the most popular outdoor activities by participation rate are:

1. Freshwater, Saltwater and Fly Fishing (17%)
2. Car, Backyard and RV Camping (15%)
3. Running, Jogging and Trail Running (15%)
4. Road Biking, Mountain Biking and BMX (15%)
5. Hiking (12%)

I think the most discouraging statistic is that outdoor participation among youth ages 6 to 17 dropped by 6%. This has been a trend for the last three years. The greatest decline was among the youngest (ages 6-12) surveyed. This shows that it is important for all of us to try and help get children outdoors earlier. Children also said that “fun” was an important part of motivating them to get outdoors. So it is important to remember to take it slow and make it fun for kids will want to do it again and again. I believe as we do this, children will learn to love playing outside and the obesity rate will decline.

There are many programs to help children get outside and play.

• http://www.fws.gov/letsgooutside/
• http://www.landpaths.org/index.cfm/page/Get-Kids-Outside-In-Our-Own-Backyard
• http://www.ultramarathonman.com (No Child Left Inside)
• http://www.rei.com/family-adventure
• http://www.outdoorsallianceforkids.org
• http://www.letsmove.gov

This is just a few. There are many more in your local area. If you have would like to read the full report please visit  Outdoor Industry Association. Also if you have any great ideas of how to get kids outside, please comment so we can help each other get kids outdoors.

Well the last few days I have been roaming around the Salt Palace here in Utah at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Show. It is like a giant candy store for adults who love the outdoors. Over the next week, I will be posting the latest gear that I came across during the show. Some new gear as well as some that just really caught my eye.  I hope you check back and see some of the new and excited gear that will be coming out.

There were a bunch of different bands playing at the show. I caught some of Joey and Rory sing their song “Cheater, Cheater”.

Boulder, Colorado, January 14th, 2010 — Following the earthquakes and tsunamis in Southeast Asia and the attacks on 9/11, the members of Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) responded with an amazing demonstration of support and provided critical supplies for emergency disaster relief.

Outdoor Industry Association, working with AmeriCares (http://www.americares.org/), is once again calling on members to dig deep to support those areas devastated by earthquake in Haiti.

AmeriCares has disaster workers on scene and is planning immediate relief flights and sea shipments from their headquarters in Connecticut. Their immediate product needs are:

Medical Supplies
First Aid Kits
Bandages and Soaps
Face Masks – Medical
Water Purification
Headlamps
Tarps
Work Gloves
Hydration Containers

To donate this urgently needed product/equipment contact: Randy Weiss at AmeriCares at (203) 658-9527 or rweiss@americares.org. All donations will be delivered by air and sea directly to the region by AmeriCares.

Due to the amazing response from the nation, AmeriCares is having trouble replying to everyone in a timely manner, but they will respond.

OIA will continue to publish updated equipment needs throughout the relief effort and is working with the Department of Commerce to explore opportunities to supply outdoor companies incentives to help rebuild Haiti through preferred sourcing and manufacturing programs.

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About Outdoor Industry Association
Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) is a national trade association whose mission is to ensure the growth and success of the outdoor industry. OIA provides trade services for over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the outdoor industry. OIA programs include representation in government/legislative affairs, market and social research, business-to-business services and youth outreach initiatives. Educational events include the annual Rendezvous®, Outdoor University®, and the Capitol Summit. Outdoor Industry Association is based in Boulder, Colorado, and is the title sponsor of the Outdoor Retailer trade shows. For more information go to www.outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.

If anyone is looking for a great opportunity to work with a non-profit company, Leave No Trace has post that they are looking for spring interns. Check it out. http://leavenotracecommunity.blogspot.com/2010/01/were-looking-for-spring-interns.html

The Stansbury Mountains are often overlooked by most of the Salt Lake City crowds. With the Wasatch Mountains so close many just head up to the Wasatch. Also many think that the west is just full of deserts. I was surprised myself of the beauty of the Stansbury Mountains. We went up South Willow Canyon camping last night. We came across a campground by the name of Intake Campground. It was $10 a night and $6 for an extra vehicle. If you are looking for a new place to go that is close to Salt Lake City, this is the place for you. Most people that come to South Willow Canyon, hike to Deseret Peak. We were not able to do it this time, but I talked with a ranger who gave me some insight on how and when to hike the peak.