Camping Unplugged

(Long Before MTV)

By Bud Copeland Director of Membership & Engagement, American Camp Association, New England

Escaping from the techno-centric world of today is difficult. We wake up and log on the same way previous generations grabbed the paper from the driveway. The internet to get back to basics. Camp generously provides opportunities to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It emphasizes face-to-face communication and helps foster creativity and and mobile devices ensure we stay updated on the latest innovation in both structured and unstructured environtrends, news, and which friend just had a baby. In this STAFF TOO FIND ments such as the challenge/ropes course or socialtime of likes, shares, downloads and clicks, camp endures as an opportunity to make genuine, human CAMP A PLEASANT izing in the bunk. If you scroll through the newsfeed on Google or connections. At camp, one rediscovers the fun in playing outdoors, learns more about personal strengths, ESCAPE FROM THEIR the Associated Press, it won’t be long before you see an article referencing how artificial intelligence and over time, finds their own voice. EVER-BUZZING will change the future. This is nothing new. But while However, this doesn’t just apply to campers. Staff too find camp a pleasant escape from their ever-buzzing WORLD. technology updates, the core of innovation remains the same; creativity, problem-solving, communication and world. Many will post farewell messages on their walls, “Head- teamwork. And since Frederick Gunn’s first 10-day trek from ing off to camp. See you in August. Send cards and cookies to…”. Washington, CT to Welch Point in Milford, camping has remained That cellphone goes into a locker and comes out once in a while one constant we can rely upon to foster these skills. at night or on a day off to let mom and dad know you’re okay. Being unplugged allows today’s young adults, both campers Provided by the American Camp Association, New England, a 501 (c) 3 organization that serves families and camps as the hub for “all and staff, to focus on developing 21st Century Skills that aren’t things summer camp” in New England. For help finding a camp or always the focus in school. The sheer nature of taking away the for additional camp information and resources in CT, MA, ME, NH, RI technology safety net of Google or Siri, forces campers and staff & VT, visit www.acanewengland.org or call (781) 541-6080.