According to the Outdoor Industry Association, a trade association for companies in the “active outdoor recreation business,” demand for entry-level gear, typically used by children and other newcomers to outdoor recreation, is down significantly; and some outdoor gear manufacturers have even discontinued their entry-level product lines. This trend suggests a decline in participation in outdoor activities among families with young children.

“We’re just not seeing the next generation embracing those same [outdoor] activities. They're losing that connection to nature.” —Michelle Barnes, Vice President, Outdoor Industry Association