Unplugging at Camp

Camp has traditionally been a place where children can connect with nature and with each other. But in today’s technological world, it can be a real change of mind set for both children and parents, to forgo technology for the weeks that children are at camp.

According to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, children ages 8-18 spend an average of 7 hours and 30 minutes a day using technology, more than 53 hours a week.   Now more than ever, children need camp to disconnect from media and engage in interpersonal connections.   Summer camp is one of the last unplugged environments.  For a few weeks at a time, children are unplugged from their computers, smart phones and ipads and are able to enjoy the outdoors and actually talk—not text—with their friends.   During the school year, children are inundated with technology.  At camp, children communicate face to face, using their words and not their fingers to communicate.

Before children go to camp, parents should keep in mind that each camp has their own electronics policies and with the increasing number of new electronics being introduced each year, camps are constantly altering their policies.   Parents should respect the camp’s decision on what is and isn’t allowed and not try to circumvent the policy. Most camps don’t allow devices that contain WiFi, video, gaming content, apps, messaging or phone call capabilities such as ipads, gaming systems, cell phones and smart phones.  Since reading devices such as the Nook and Kindle can connect to the internet, some camps don’t allow them although others do since many campers use them to read their books.  Music is an important part of camp so many camps allow Mp3 players that play music, however, if the Mp3 has video capabilities, camps ask that the videos and games are erased before camp.

Campers (and their parents) welcome the break from electronics while at camp and enjoy the unplugged time they spend talking and engaging in activities with friends.