Tempting the Next Generation Outdoors
(A discussion piece for Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of New Zealand)
It has become almost a cliché to say that younger generations are “glued to their phones”. Yet clichés usually exist because they contain an uncomfortable degree of truth. Smartphones, streaming platforms, gaming, and social media now compete very effectively with outdoor recreation for attention, time, and even identity.
For organisations like CORANZ, this matters. Outdoor recreation in New Zealand has always relied on people developing a habit of going outside - fishing, tramping, paddling, riding, climbing, flying, camping. If that habit is not formed early, it rarely appears later.
The challenge is not to fight technology head-on, but to understand why screens are so compelling - and how the outdoors can be made equally attractive, relevant, and accessible.
The real competition isn’t laziness
It is tempting to frame the issue as motivation or discipline, but that misses the point. Digital platforms are deliberately engineered to be immersive, social, rewarding, and low-risk. Outdoor recreation, by contrast, can appear:
- expensive (gear, transport),
- complicated (rules, permits, safety),
- risky (real consequences),
- and socially isolating (especially for beginners).
If we want people outside, we must lower the friction while increasing the reward.
Outdoor recreation must compete on experience
The outdoors already offers what screens cannot: real achievement, physical challenge, genuine community, and mental restoration. But those benefits are often invisible at the entry level.
Successful approaches tend to share common traits:
- Short, achievable experiences rather than epic commitments
- Social entry points (friends, clubs, guided days)
- Low upfront cost or “try before you buy” opportunities
- Clear progression, so beginners can see what comes next
A teenager is far more likely to try kayaking if the first step is a half-day social paddle, not a list of gear requirements and safety warnings that read like legal disclaimers.
Technology can be part of the solution
Rejecting devices outright is unrealistic - and unnecessary. Used well, technology can support outdoor participation rather than replace it.
Examples include:
- GPS mapping and safety apps that build confidence
- Fitness watches that gamify walking, riding, or paddling
- Social media used to share doing, not just consuming
- Online communities that lead to real-world meetups
The key distinction is whether technology keeps people inside, or helps get them out the door.
Access, safety, and messaging still matter
Young people are particularly sensitive to barriers. Locked gates, unclear access rules, confusing liability messages, or hostile signage all send a signal: “This isn’t for you.”
Equally damaging is messaging that frames outdoor recreation primarily around risk avoidance, compliance, or restriction. Safety is essential - but inspiration must come first. People don’t fall in love with checklists.
What can recreation bodies do?
For organisations represented by CORANZ, some practical priorities stand out:
- Support low-barrier entry programmes across codes
- Defend and promote simple, legal access
- Encourage inter-generational mentoring, not just youth-only initiatives
- Tell better stories about why people recreate, not just how
- Push back against policies that make outdoor activity seem difficult or fragile
A final thought
Every generation has been accused of losing touch with the outdoors. The difference today is that the competition is relentless, portable, and highly addictive.
If we want the next generation outside, we must make outdoor recreation visible, welcoming, achievable - and worth choosing over a screen.
The good news is that once people discover the outdoors for themselves, the habit often sticks for life. Our task is to help them take that first step.