Why We’re Screen-Free (And How to Help Your Camper Get There)

What “Screen-Free” Actually Means at Camp

When your camper is here, they’re not on phones, tablets, or personal devices.

We do that to make space for something better:

  • Real friendships (not group chats)
  • Real independence (figuring things out without Googling it)
  • Real confidence (not measured in likes or streaks)

By day two, most kids aren’t asking about their phones anymore. They’re too busy.

A quick note on what can (and can’t) come to camp

Our rule is simple: if it can access the internet on its own, it stays home.

  • Phones, smartwatches, tablets → stay home
  • Watches with internet access → stay home
  • E-readers with pre-loaded books (no browsing) → totally fine
  • Digital cameras → also fine

If you’re unsure about a device, just ask. We’re happy to help you figure it out. As with anything you send to camp, keep in mind that we can’t ensure it will come home safe and in one piece. Kids, dirt, and sand are rough!

Why We Care So Much About This

If this feels like a big stance, it is. And it’s not just a camp opinion.

Even short breaks from screens can make a real difference. So when we say camp is “good for kids,” this is part of what we mean.

How to Help Your Camper Prepare (Without Going Cold Turkey)

You don’t need to take their phone away tomorrow.

In fact… don’t. That’s how you end up with a very dramatic car ride to camp.

A small ramp-down goes a long way.

1. Start with “No Phone” Windows

Pick a few times each day where phones just aren’t part of it:

  • Mealtimes
  • Car rides
  • The hour before bed

You’re helping their brain get used to being without it.

2. Replace, Don’t Just Remove

If you take something away and don’t replace it, it feels like a loss.

Fill the space:

  • Go outside after dinner
  • Play a card game
  • Let them be bored

That’s usually when they start figuring things out on their own.

3. Practice Being “Unreachable”

At camp, your child won’t be texting you.

You can help them get comfortable with that by:

  • Letting them stay at a friend’s house without constant check-ins
  • Not responding immediately to every message
  • Talking through what to do if they need help (find a trusted adult)

4. Talk About It Ahead of Time

Tell them:

  • “Camp is screen-free.”
  • “Everyone is doing it.”
  • “It might feel weird at first, and that’s okay.”

No surprises = smoother start. Trust us on this one. We’ve seen kids get out of the car at camp and hear that they can’t have their phone for the first time. It. does not. go well.

What You Can Expect as a Parent

You won’t hear from your camper every day. That’s intentional. Most often, more contact actually makes homesickness worse, not better.

But this is where we want to be really clear:

We are your partner in this.

If you need to get a message to your child, we’ll make that happen.
If your child really needs to get a message to you, we’ll help them do that.
If something out of the ordinary is going on, you’ll hear from us.
If there’s a medical issue, we will call you.

You’re not out of the loop. You’re just not managing camp from your phone.

In the meantime, we:

  • Share photos so you can see them in action
  • Support them through homesickness and adjustment in real time
  • Encourage letters and emails home

And most importantly, we’re with them. And we’re paying attention to the things you’d want us to notice. (But if you notice they’ve had on the same shirt two days in a row… send us an email. We make them shower but… they’re sneaky with the clothes.)

The Bottom Line

There are a lot of places kids can go and stay connected to their phones. There are very few places where they get to disconnect and actually figure things out for themselves.

That’s what we’re offering. That’s the beauty of camp.

Still have questions about how this works (or how your child might handle it)?
Email us, call us, or come see camp in person. We’re happy to talk it through.