Hmmmn, the same article appeared almost word for word in yesterdays Telegraph, page 5.
Strikes a cord TBH. Talk to so many of my non-outdoorsy mates and their kids and this is the reaction we get.
They seem to have a deep seated generalised fear of the outdoors.
They have no conception that playing outside in the mud can be fun, have a fear of getting lost and a suspicion of anyone they don't know or as they prefer to put it, 'STRANGERS'.
It's all very sad. The media seems to stoke up fear of the unknown, fear of any weather other than sun and a mild breeze and promotes the attitude that all excercise has to be a nasty painful slog.
When's the last time you saw cycling portrayed in a positive light in a soap for instance? Even Alan in the Archers is portrayed as eccentric for enjoying camping.
Combine this with the rise in expensive designer clothes for kids, which no snobby mum is going to want to risk getting dirty, the seeming uncoolness of the Scouts, Guides and other youth groups (along with the understandable reluctance of many adults to become leaders) and you can see where this is going.
Believe me - I despise the Mail as much as anyone, but sometimes they do get it right.
And breathe - feel better now.
IGMC
