Today's youth are spending less time outdoors than any previous generation, according to a Nature Conservancy-funded study. Our competition for getting youth outdoors is technology such as TV, Internet, home movies and video games.

Launched nationally in 2006 REI Kids Passport to Adventure program encourages kids and their parents to enjoy the great outdoors, including those who might not have considered hiking as a family activity.

In 2006, more than 10,000 children and adults picked up REI's Kids Passport to Adventure trail hiking journals at their local REI store. The complimentary journals included descriptions of family-friendly hikes recommended by local REI employees, driving directions and customized hiking tips.

Approximately 10 percent of the hikers who picked up packets returned to REI with completed journals, field notes, photos and drawings. Children who logged five hikes received a free Kids Passport to Adventure water bottle and certificate of completion.

An expanded Kids Passport to Adventure will return in May 2007 with the addition of family cycling trips. Our goal is to distribute more passports and greatly increase the number of people completing the program.

REI's recommended hikes from the Passport to Adventure program can be viewed by visiting http://www.rei.com/kidspassport