New research shows nearly three-quarters of kids would rather spend time with friends outside than on screens — they just need someone to go with. This July, Solo Stove and Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster are making sure more of them get that chance.
Solo Stove, maker of popular smokeless fire pits, announced Project S’More Outdoors, a purpose-led initiative in collaboration with Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster built to spark togetherness, a love for the outdoors and the kind of memories that stick with kids for a lifetime. Together, the two organizations are helping kids trade more screen time for fresh air, real connection, and perfectly toasted s’mores, to help create more moments outside for kids and families, Solo Stove said in a recent release.
Research tells a story most parents already feel: outdoor play has declined sharply over the last few decades, and screen time has filled the gap. And 73% of kids say they’d go outside more if they had someone to do it with (Kampgrounds of America Research). Solo Stove’s own research reinforces why that matters — in a survey of 2,000 U.S. parents, 66% agreed that time outdoors strengthens family bonds, and one in five said a fire pit is where the most meaningful conversations in their family happen, the company said. That’s the gap Project S’More Outdoors was built to fill.
“Every kid deserves to experience the feeling of sitting around a fire with friends, sharing stories, making s’mores and creating memories outdoors,” said John Larson, CEO, Solo Brands. “That’s what Solo Stove is really about: bringing friends and family together outside.”
To kick off the partnership, Solo Stove will welcome members of the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster for a full day outside — cooking hotdogs over an open fire, roasting s’mores and learning outdoor skills, all led by “Solo Stove S’Mentors” trained to make the experience as safe as it is unforgettable. Participating families will also be given a campfire kit including a portable cooking stove and s’mores accessories to continue the tradition at home. This is just the beginning; Solo Stove and Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster are committed to building on this partnership in the months and years ahead, with the shared goal of getting more kids outside and keeping them there, the company said.
“Camp Hogan gives every child the opportunity to experience a summer filled with friendship, exploration and fun. For just $10 a week, campers spend six weeks outdoors, guided by caring mentors in a safe and supportive space where they can unplug and simply be kids. We’re grateful to partner with Solo Stove to build on those moments with a day around the campfire where campers will learn outdoor skills, roast s’mores and make memories together,” said Karen Schloer, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster. “Partnerships like this make an incredible summer even better.”
At the end of the day, Solo Stove said it has always been about more than smokeless fire pits; it’s about the stories told, the laughs shared and the sticky, s’more-covered fingers that come with them.
“Through Project S’More Outdoors, Solo Stove and Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster are creating the conditions for real togetherness: kids and families, side by side, making memories that no screen could replicate,” said Liz Vanzura, Solo Stove CMO. “Because the best ones are never made behind a screen, they’re made around a fire.”
As America marks its 250th birthday, Solo Stove is celebrating the way it knows best: bringing people together outside. In addition to partnering with the Boys & Girls Club to help create more moments outside for kids and families, Solo Stove is also proud to offer increased discounts to military members, teachers, and medical professionals throughout the month of July as a thank you for their service. To get involved, visit solostove.com, or donate directly to Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster at BGCLANC.org.
For more on the partnership, visit Solo Stove Project S’More Outdoors and follow along social: Instagram and TikTok.
