Powering down to live it up
Going ‘screen-free’ at summer camp takes down virtual walls
Children heading to an overnight camp take a major step toward independence. They’re free from the structure of school, parental rules and, most important, that little device super-glued to their hands: the smartphone.
Many summer camps began implementing no-tech policies about 15 years ago, banning smart devices and hand-held video games. Camp directors have said something incredible happens when kids and “screenagers” unplug from their hyperconnected worlds: Rather than feeling phone-sick, campers soon realize that life without technology can be liberating.
Guy Korngold, director of Camp Kinneret-Biluim near Mont-Tremblant, said when campers go screen-free, they develop deep relationships with other children and counsellors, while becoming more physically active and appreciative of their surroundings.
“Camp today might be the only place where kids can experience activities in a fully present and engaged way — where technology becomes entirely irrelevant. That’s why we take great efforts to protect the tech-free environment we have at camp ,” he said .“A lot of wonderful growth can happen when you’ re at a camp that has values of community and co-operation, and the distance from home really feeds into that growth. Campers actually feel good about not having to look down at their phones, and it’s a beautiful thing at camp to see hundreds of kids walking around enjoying the natural world around them.”
Usually, once campers get off the bus at camp on the first day, they’ re already enjoying their experience, said Laurie Wiseman, director of Camp Wingate.
“The younger kids adjust relatively well to the no-screen policy, but it’s a bit more difficult for the older ones,” she said. “They complain at the beginning, but I’m honestly convinced that once they get used to it, they truly appreciate the break from social media.”
Cutting that virtual cord is often a bigger adjustment for parents than campers, Wiseman added.
“Some parents are reluctant to lose contact with their kids, because they’re so used to being in touch with one another throughout the day. But that’s one of the best things about going away to camp: Kids can make decisions on their own and navigate any situation without their parents.”
Relinquishing control has created a new form of separation anxiety for parents wanting instant access to their children, even parents who were once campers themselves, said Camp Tamakwa director Margot Perlmutter.
“When I was a camper at Tamakwa, you went to camp, you had your own experiences, and then you came home and shared them,” she said. “Today’s parents want to know everything right away, and we’re trying to stay true to good old-fashioned-camping. I really believe children need a break from technology, and it’s important for parents to let their kids go.”
To alleviate parental anxiety, many camps post weekly or daily photos online, showcasing how much fun the children are having. Kinneret-Biluim also sends out a weekly email blast with camp updates, and most camps allow parents to email campers — the office prints out and distributes these daily. Tamakwa, however, only allows old-school communication via letters, Perlmutter said.
It’s not just campers that get a tech break; most camps also insist that staff check their devices at the door. “Our rule is: Anything the campers cannot have, staff cannot have,” Guy Korngold said. “In the staff lounge, on their free time, they can use their devices, but those devices do not leave the lounge. Campers don’t see them.”
Tamakwa goes one step further: Staff members must check their cellphones into the office when they arrive, and they can only check them out if they’re leaving camp for a day off. “If you’re going to get your whole camp to buy into a policy and create an atmosphere where people communicate faceto-face, we believe that has to start at the top,” Margot Perlmutter said. “If your counsellors are sitting in the lounge all night on their phones, then they’re not creating that atmosphere.”
Laurie Wiseman said children who mostly rely on Snapchat, texting and Instagram to communicate thrive when forced to interact with one another in person.
“They’re in the moment, enjoying each other’s company, and it’s a huge change from what they’re used to all year long, where they can be in the same room with their friends, but are sitting on their phones texting or Snapchatting each other,” Wiseman explained. “This break is a gift they can only get in camp and, ultimately, they appreciate it.”
The best way to prepare your child — and yourself — to unplug during camp season?
Pick the right camp, and then go cold turkey, Korngold advised.
“Some people might suggest weaning a kid off their phone before camp starts, but I really believe that if a camp program is engaging and the camp fosters inclusivity, the camper will have no problem adjusting to camp life,” he said.
“Parents should feel confident in the camp they’ve chosen. Choose one with a good reputation for taking an active approach to building a strong social dynamic among the campers. That way, parents know their children are being well taken care of and that all their needs are being met.
“Kids are more resilient than we give them credit for; let them have a fantastic camp experience on their own.”