Young people shunning national parks
By Outdoor
A recent CNN report by “Inside Man” Morgan Spurlock found that although America’s national parks drew a record 292.8 million visitors in 2014, the National Park Service is having trouble attracting young people.
Spurlock reports that the number of visitors under age 15 has dropped by half in the past 10 years. Visitors to Denali average 57 years old, and Yellowstone’s average guest is around 54.
Bob Roney, a retired Yosemite ranger, told CNN that the problem is younger generations are too plugged in for the outdoors.
“People want modern conveniences,” he said. “Young people are more city oriented and tend not to be wildlands oriented.”
Yet the Feds continue to confiscate more land (in order to “protect” it) while they neglect and abuse the parklands they already own.
Why?
While this is probably good news for over crowded parks like Yosemite it’s a shame that there are generations coming up that will know little about the world around them because their chins are buried in their chests.
If under 15 year olds are not visiting the parks you must blame their parents who are not going and taking their children. Or maybe the parents leave their children at home when they visit the parks. After all, aren’t 15’s and under capable of caring for themselves. I don’t think many 15 year olds and under go to national parks on their own.
What a stupid nonsensical blathering article.
I’ve noticed a similar trend in Desolation Wilderness – an older crowd compared to years past. Our wild areas and national parks are irreplaceable, priceless treasures. Wilderness has and will (hopefully) continue to shape our national identity and build the American character.
In the 1970s, my brothers and I spent many many nights in Desolation, and like a lot of Tahoe kids from our day we had our favorite lakes and campsites. Some of the very best days of my youth were spent alone or with friends wandering through wilderness. It is my fervent hope that these areas are protected for future generations and not lost forever.
Its because there is no internet access in the parks. Kids (really everyone) need to unplug their gizmos and use their real senses to experience nature in nature. Im glad the parks are getting a rest from the m(ass)es. Let the critters have a break from the picture taking, trails and other resources recover from overuse. Maybe the air quality will improve in some of the parks that have smog issues. Im sure it wont last long…
Most of these mindless generation(s) couldn’t even spell Yosemite without their gizmos. It’s pretty pathetic.
I can’t help but wonder if there may not be an economics issue involved. Before my husband and I got our senior passes, the cost of entry into Yosemite went up and it didn’t bother us — we were pleased that more money was going to be available for the park. However, we weren’t trying to raise a family on wages which have deteriorated in constant dollars in recent decades for most people, especially those at the bottom of the wage scale. Since most people under 18 go to national parks with their parents or friends’ parents, the cost, including gas to get to the park, entry and lodging, even if camping, can add up to “maybe we need to stay closer to home.”
Kay, one of the things people don’t realize is that those park entry fees do NOT go to the parks you are visiting. They go to a Federal general fund. You are not actually supporting your parks with those fees. The Feds do whatever they want with that money, and more or less visitation has no bearing whatsoever on how much money a park gets.
That’s how the Feds operate. It should be changed.
Kids shunning National Parks, Just show them what Tahoe has to offer! Get them off the damn video games and cell phones and take them to Emerald Bay, Desolation, Fallen Leaf Lake, our beautiful beaches here on South Shore and there is SO much else to see!
Pry that electronic gizmo out of their hands and let them open their eyes to the beauty of what’s around them. The bears, the raccoons, the coyotes, birds and squirrels, our towering mountains, the crystal clear water of Tahoe, clean air and the best drinking water for miles around!
That’s how I see it. Be good, Old Long Skiis
Dog. Keep your hands off my National Parks. They belong to every American. Most of the National Park fees go straight back into the Park(s) that collects it.
Ols. The first “netbook” (very small portable computer) was released in 2007, the iPod was released in 2001, the iPhone was released in 2007, the iPad in 2010; other manufacturers have followed.
Rock4tahoe, Yeah I know the handheld things been around for a long time. Back in the day my older sisters had transister radios that seemed to be glued to their heads!
Time marches on but some things never change. OLS
OLS. The “transistor radio.” I had one too! Thing was, you found a station, set it down, listened while doing other things.