The Scout Association today launches ‘KidsOutdoors’ - a campaign to promote outdoor adventure to more young people, their parents, youth leaders and schools across the UK.

KidsOutdoors is inspired by the Association's new reseach that has revealed that young people in the UK are spending less time than ever outside engaging in the activities.

The largest ever study of young people and parents highlights how eight million young people between the ages of 7-18 (89%) spend far less time engaged in physical activity per week than is recommended by the Department of Health.

Chief Scout Peter Duncan said: 'The findings of this report should come with a national health warning. It is a fact that young people who spend more time outdoors are healthier than those who do not and at the moment the outlook is bleak.

The campaign will be focussed at www.kidsoutdoors.com where the emphasis will be on user-generated content such as blogs, video and images of activities, that demonstrate just how fun and easy outdoor activity can be in a safe and secure environment.

Katie Carter, an Explorer Scout from Essex said: 'Getting active outdoors has all kinds of benefits. Whether it’s going for a walk, having a kick about with your friends in the local park or doing something more adventurous such as caving, it all helps. The main point is that there is no excuse to sit in front of your television!'

The campaign is also encouraging other charities and companies to sign up and tackle the problem as a coalition, with the British Heart Foundation, Outward Bound ®, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, and NCH – The Childrens Charity all signed up already.

David Barker, from the British Heart Foundation said: 'With predictions that one in four children will be obese by 2050 it is essential that we get children and young people more active.

'The campaign is for all of the 14 million young people in the UK. It doesn’t matter who you are, but the message is simply to get out there and get involved in the adventure.'