A Decline in Positive Transference in Outdoor Recreation

Keywords: outdoor recreational , recreational opportunity spectrum, positive transference, trends, skills, denominator lowest common

"Positive transference" refers to the benefit of transferring the learned skills from one discipline to another unrelated endeavor. This is of particular value in children's learning and training.

I do not claim to be current in the recreational trends of 2025. Like mist, they change with the currents. My experience >30 ago, (before the advent of snowboards) are when the slopes we're occupied solely by skiers.

I watch the 'financially privileged' arrive from the GTA chauffeuring their "messiah's" to a neighboring ski Hill. These pampered and cudgled children will have a rude awakening in late adolescence only to face the daunting reality of where "the sun really shines".

Many of the children will carry the burden of an emerging insecurity; collateral damage, from contemporary parenting skills which reward even the most inconsequential behavior with badges, diplomas, and other tokens of positive reinforcement.

Recreational engagements and discipline our chosen not for their inherent pedagogical value in child development.. but for entertainment . (The same argument applies to digital screen time or reading. Entertainment is taking precedence over learning ).

This leaves children bereft of sufficient life skills and problem solving ability. They will have difficulties navigating an increasingly complex, unrewarding and unfair overpopulated world.

The outdoor industry is catering to a wider spectrum of clients. This necessitates increasing the comfort zone. Ski hills, for example, offer "tubing" as an option to skiing and snowboarding. The latter two require discipline and skill to master. The skills can be transferred to other disciplines which required balance, agility and focus. Proprioception is tantamount to surviving a downhill run without a serious wipeout and associated injuries. Conversely, tubing is strictly entertainment.

In the 1980s I took canoeing lessons from Bill Mason's daughter. One man laughed at me when I told him. He believed paddling a canoe took no more skill than putting a paddle in the water. ​Solo and tandem canoeing often require more skill than kayaking

These padding skills have served me over a lifetime; allowing me ​ greater opportunities to extend my horizons to more Canadian rivers and lakes, with confidence and security.

Today an increasing number take to our waterways not in canoes and kayaks but inflatables-toys designed for indulent adults.

Do you believe society is adopting the path of least resistance by placing entertainment above education in outdoor recreation?