To Bring or Not to Bring? Electronics at Camp…

Our mission is to teach children the skills of making and keeping friends while building their self-esteem, self-confidence and resilience in a safe, fun environment.

Recent studies demonstrate that today’s children spend upwards of 7-­1/2 hours each day using some form  of electronic equipment. Children sit in restaurants immersed in an assortment of electronic games. In today’s world, schools, parents, friends and virtually everyone else needs to compete  with on-­line texting, social media and the ever present hand-­held games for the attention of our children. On-­line  bullying is the new issue of the day simply because it thrives in the dominant interaction model that young people have adopted as their communication of choice. Texting, as a form of communication, deprives users of the immediate reactions and social cues vital for true social interactions.

And it’s clearly not a “zero-sum” game. With all of the positive benefits of todays’ electronic world, the social skill development, fitness and health of today’s youth have taken a hit. That’s where camp comes in. For two months, summer camp provides the electronic detox, that promotes eye-to-eye, person-to-person social contact and interaction for the digital socializing children have become too reliant upon.

Children come to camp to practice the social skills of interaction and friendship while learning about themselves, challenging themselves and broadening their horizons. It doesn’t work looking down at a game, texting on a cell phone, or oblivious to their surroundings with headphones on and music blaring. Those are activities that are better done when alone. And, if camp is anything, it is a place where your child is anything but alone. The value of the camp experience, its immeasurable benefits, can only be delivered when children interact directly with each other and the staff that is there to guide them.

While we’ve made every effort to be clear on which electronics are permitted in camp (please consult your CampInTouch account for our Electronics Policy which can be found HERE), ask yourself these questions:

• Does this device playback video & have any video content on it?
• Does this device record video?
• Can this device access the internet?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, leave the device at home!

Thank you in advance for understanding the purpose of the camp experience and for complying with our policy.