How Camp Helps Kids Connect by Disconnecting

While many of us could benefit from taking a break from technology, this may be especially true for kids and teens.

According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), kids between ages 8–12 now spend an average of 4 to 6 hours each day on screens; among teens, up to nine hours.

Whether browsing social media, playing video games, watching TV or doing schoolwork, technology overuse can have health consequences, including poor sleep, weight gain and vision problems. From a mental health perspective, stress, anxiety and depression among youth have skyrocketed, particularly since the beginning of the pandemic.

For a much-needed digital detox, consider sending your kids to camp this spring and summer. Most camps enforce “no phones” policies, creating the perfect canvas for some oldfashioned fun. Of course, some kids enjoy attending technology-based camps, which offer their own set of benefits, such as supporting STEM education. If that is what your children choose, schedule time away from screens when they get home.

Most summer camps provide opportunities to:

Build meaningful relationships. These days, it’s not easy to convince kids to put down digital devices––especially when their peers continue to use them. One of the best things about a camp experience is that everyone is subject to the same rules. Even better, parents aren’t the ones who need to enforce them.

Once unplugged, children encounter valuable opportunities for social development. “We live in such a fastpaced world and taking a break from screens can really help us to slow down,” says Kelly “Aqua” Nelson, a camp director with Girl Scouts San Diego (GSSD). “This is especially important for youth because it allows for face-to-face interaction and builds connections.”

Summer camp provides an excellent forum for making new friends, as well as strengthening prior relationships. For kids who struggle in this area, Sandy “Skipper” Sultz, Outdoor Education Manager with GSSD, provides reassurance: “Camp staff are experts at helping kids make new friends, so there’s a supportive structure for building social skills that may have been set aside during the pandemic or a screen addiction.”

Explore new interests. With so much time spent staring at screens, kids are not in the habit of trying new things in the real world. While at camp, kids can participate in a range of fun activities––going for nature walks, singing around a campfire, learning to surf or swim, navigating a high ropes course and much more. Your camper will almost certainly build self-confidence and may even discover lifelong passions along the way.

If your child is anxious about trying new things, rest assured that camp counselors are experts at drawing kids out of their comfort zones. “Camp is a place where a kid can be a kid,” says Nelson. “We encourage discovery. Campers are able to try new things in a safe, supportive environment, where it is OK to fail.”

Get outdoors and connect with nature. It’s one thing to look at a screenshot of the great outdoors, and quite another to experience it firsthand. From soft grassy fields and tree-lined trails to sweeping waterfront vistas and bright shooting stars, your camper is sure to gain new perspectives while surrounded by nature’s bounty this summer.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), outdoor play can also lead to improved physical health, better learning outcomes, positive changes in behavior, and lower levels of stress and depression. “Eyes, muscles and cardiovascular systems benefit [when there’s] a break from screens, competition, urgency and inactivity,” Sultz observes.

Although some camps offer sedentary activities (i.e. arts and crafts, cooking), many focus on physical ones such as hiking, swimming, biking and outdoor games—or a combination of both. Some camps are held at parks or playgrounds, allowing for plenty of fresh air and free play. There are also specialized camps like soccer, basketball, dance, gymnastics and horseback riding that strengthen skills while providing daily exercise. We encourage you to find the right camp fit for your child.

Build better technology habits. This may surprise parents, but research conducted through the American Camp Association (ACA) revealed that many campers prefer a “no phones” policy: “Campers described how because there are no phones allowed at camp, they are able to meet people and interact with them offline, form closer connections with others (including those they know from home), get a much-needed break from the expectations and pressures of social media, and have the opportunity to live in the moment.”

Summer camp can even help kids and teens build better long-term technology habits. After experiencing how much fun life can be without phones, they may be less likely to reach for their devices this fall.

To avoid sliding back into old habits, be sure to model responsible digital behavior and consider making a family technology contract. Visit www.sandiegofamily.com/parenting/ how-to-make-a-family-digitalcitizenship-contract to learn how. v

Lisa Pawlak is an award-winning contributing writer residing in Encinitas.