The UK’s mapping agency Ordnance Survey has launched a campaign to inspire people to get off the sofa, ditch the car and enjoy the great outdoors. The #GetOutside campaign calls on people of all ages and abilities to go outdoors and embark on an adventure, big or small, and no matter where they live. As part of the campaign OS is asking for people to make their own #GetOutside pledges – from walking the dog further to scaling Britain’s highest summits to trying out sailing or windsurfing The pledges can be pinned to a map on the #GetOutside website. In addition, there will be a weekly draw to support the best pledges, as well as vouchers to support the activities, including ice cream vouchers for families and new walking boots. The campaign was created by OS in response to new research findings that show a quarter of Brits won’t walk anywhere that takes more than 15 minutes. Three quarters of us don’t walk to work. Almost 70% never walk to the shops, while only a third would ever do the school trip on foot. Sadly, the survey conducted by Opinion Matters also shows that only a third of people admit to enjoying a weekend walk for pleasure. The research also revealed the top three (perceived) biggest barriers to spending time outdoors:

• British weather
• Not enjoying being around lots of people
• Not enough local green spaces or trails.

Despite these barriers, only 29% of people think that their lifestyle is too sedentary and that they spend too much time indoors or sitting down per day. Nick Giles, managing director of Ordnance Survey Leisure, says: “These results highlight that there are many people who could do more to get outside and get active. “However, it is important to remember that every week there are millions of people who are enjoying the great British outdoors – whether in the National Parks or their local parks. “The benefits of exercising and getting regular fresh air are huge and we think that it is time more of us #GetOutside.” [caption id="attachment_16835" align="aligncenter" width="100%"] Walk to a trig point. Pic credit: Tim Green on Flickr creative Commons.[/caption]

What will you pledge to do outdoors?

This summer is the perfect time to make a #GetOutside pledge. The summer holidays also give families lots of time to think up adventures to do outdoors. Nick adds: “We launched the #GetOutside campaign to inspire people from all walks of life just to spend a little more time outside. “There are all kinds of adventures to be had outdoors, be it scaling a rock face or hunting for tadpoles. What’s deemed as adventurous is down to you, but you could see yourself – quite literally – in a whole new light.”

10 top #GetOutside pledges

1) Walk a section of a long-distance British walking trail, such as the West Highland Way, the South West Coast Path or the Coast to Coast Waling Path. 2) Go bird spotting and tick off five types of birds 3) Try a new adventure activity, such as gorge walking, canyoning, sailing or the Human Slingshot 4) Walk to the summit of five hills with trig points (check out OS maps to spot where the trig points can be found) 6) Get on your bike and ride a Sustrans route for 10 miles or more 7) Try Geocaching 8) Skip for half a mile 9) Walk a Munro 10) Pick your own fruit. See #GetOutside website for more details. * Main pic: Adventurer Steve Backshall is supporting the OS #GetOutside campaign