A new initiative with Boys & Girls Clubs of America highlights growing concerns over children’s screen time while using shared outdoor experiences to encourage stronger family and community bonds.
Solo Stove has launched Project S’More Outdoors, a new initiative designed to encourage children and families to spend more time together outside through campfire experiences. Created in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster, the program will help fund campfire experience kits during July, with each qualifying purchase supporting efforts to introduce more young people to outdoor activities. The campaign arrives as conversations about children’s screen habits continue to shape public discussions around health, recreation, and family life.
The initiative is rooted in research suggesting that many children still value outdoor play but often lack opportunities or companions to make it part of their routine. According to studies cited by the company, nearly three-quarters of children say they would rather spend time outdoors with friends than in front of screens, while many parents believe outdoor activities strengthen family relationships. Rather than presenting technology as the problem, the campaign focuses on creating simple occasions that encourage people to gather in person around shared experiences.
As part of the partnership, members of the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster will participate in a day of outdoor activities that includes campfire cooking, roasting s’mores, and learning practical outdoor skills under the guidance of trained mentors. Participating families will also receive portable campfire kits intended to help continue those experiences at home. Although modest in scale, the initiative reflects a growing interest among outdoor recreation companies in supporting community programs alongside promoting their products.
The campaign also speaks to a broader cultural shift in how outdoor brands position themselves. Increasingly, companies are framing products not simply as equipment but as tools that enable meaningful experiences, whether through camping, backyard gatherings, or family traditions. In this case, the fire pit becomes a symbol of conversation and connection rather than just an outdoor appliance. While Project S’More Outdoors also serves a commercial purpose, its underlying message aligns with wider efforts by educators, parents, and community organizations to create more opportunities for children to disconnect from screens and reconnect with the people and places around them.
