When it comes to outdoor recreation policy, the American Recreation Coalition is almost
certainly the most influential lobbyist in America. When the ARC put's its
" Top Ten Challenges to Recreation" onto paper, I take
careful note. I hope you will too.
As you browse ARC's list (below), several of their points will
likely be glaringly offensive. Some may seem benign and a few may
even strike you as positive.
Those who are influenced by the ARC, (i.e., lands managers, politicians,
the media, certain recreation groups and a handful of conservation groups)
will treat this list as if it had the authority of the Ten
Commandments.
I hope you will treat it for what it is. It is a listing
of the "issues that are threatening the recreation industry's
growth" -- it is that, and nothing more.
It should not become the basis for national outdoor recreation policy,
though it almost certainly will.
Scott
Things are seldom as they seem;
skim milk masquerades as
cream.
-W.S.
Gilbert
--- begin quoted ---
SOURCE: RVIATODAY July/August 2008
<SNIP>
Crandall Outlines Top Ten Challenges to
Recreation
ARC President Derrick Crandall spoke to RVIA members at the June 9 Joint
Committee Luncheon about challenges facing the recreation industry and steps the
industry should take to ensure its ability to thrive in the long-term.
Crandall highlighted the $400 billion industry's strengths, including the
diversity of experiences and products it offers and the wealth of resources for
recreation in the United States, like the National Parks System, the
NationalWildlife Refuge system, the National Forest system and the Scenic
Byways.
But he also emphasized some issues that are threatening the recreation
industry's growth. He presented the biggest challenges in a Top Ten List.
Number 10 - America's Threatened Mobility: "Mobility,"
Crandall said, "is the key to recreation but is being challenged by rising fuel
prices, urban congestion, the basic design of the surface transportation system,
and a funding system for transportation that is likely to become an
anachronism."
Number 9 - Weakening "Farm Teams": Diminishing interest
among youth in "farm teams" like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America means
that fewer kids are getting to know the outdoors. A decline in the number of
kids enrolled in summer camp programs also contributes to this lack of
involvement in outdoor recreation.
Number 8 - Experiencing Rather Than Owning: Crandall cited
an increased interest among Americans in "experiencing" as opposed to "owning,"
as a threat to the recreation industry. He noted the surge in time shares, car
leasing and RV rentals as harmful to an industry that "depends on visitor-owned
equipment."
Number 7 - Onerous Government Regulations: Increasingly
strict government regulations on vehicles that have sufficient towing capacity
for RVs, boats and other recreation equipment - as well as the increase in CAFE
standards - could threaten the recreation industry.
Number 6 - Poor Park Management: Crandall attributed a
troubling 10% decline in park visits since 1987 to poor management at many of
America's parks. The decline is especially concerning considering that both the
American population and the number of parks grew by 25% in that same time
period.
Number 5 - The Need to Tap New Markets: Crandall said,
"The recreation industry is failing to make real inroads in the fastest growing
elements of America's population: the Latino and Asian markets."
Number Four - Fear: Crandall lamented parents' "fear of
psychopaths and spiders," as holding their children back from experiencing
outdoor recreation.
Number Three - Escalating Property Values: Crandall said
that campgrounds in attractive areas are threatened by increasing property
values and the move to develop.
Number Two - Lack of Awareness of the Importance of
Recreation: Too many Americans view recreation as a "nicety" - a
mindset that allows for funding to be cut during difficult economic times. The
industry is not often recognized for its role in addressing areas of obesity,
education, community and family sustainability and crime deterrence.
Number One - Technology vs. Trees: Crandall said that the
top challenge facing the recreation industry is the lack of interest in the
outdoors among America's youth. "Kids today are 6 times more likely to play a
video game than ride a bike," he said.
Crandall encouraged the recreation community to reach out to kids in ways
they understand, using text messaging, digital photography, geocoaching, and
podcasts. "The recreation community needs to work to get more kids outdoors by
incorporating technology into the outdoors experience and by working to protect
America's public lands," he concluded, adding that by working together, the
recreation industry can make vast changes in the way America views the
outdoors.
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- Land management 
