As Skyland’s summer camp season kicked off last weekend, many of our campers arrived without one item they’re used to carrying: their cell phone.

That’s because Skyland Camp believes in the value of providing kids with a digital-free summer experience. “One of the greatest gifts we give our campers is the opportunity to unplug from their social media grids and practice the art of being fully connected – with each other, with nature, and with their thoughts, dreams, and curiosity,” said Sherry Brown, Skyland Camp director.

No phone? No problem! There are loads of reasons to leave gadgets behind, all of which contribute to the main benefits of attending a summer camp filled with outdoor activities, located in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina and surrounded by familiar faces and new friends.

• In a world where girls increasingly measure their self-worth in terms of likes and shares, going screen-free gives them a chance to learn the social and emotional skills necessary to build trusting friendships based on real life shared experiences.
• In an environment prone to instant sharing of activities in real-time, communicating through old-school methods like handwritten letters, pen and paper journals, and non-internet connected cameras allows girls to slow down, reflect, and live in the moment rather than focusing on ticking an “I was here” box on social media.
• Without digital distractions, our campers learn to use their creativity to fill up their free time, engaging in storytelling and the art of conversation, collaborating on impromptu talent shows, and connecting with new friends by making up games to play indoors and out, all while building community.
• Removing devices levels the playing field, so no girl needs to feel left out because she doesn’t have the latest technology. Kids learn what’s really important about each other: who they are on the inside.
• Going screen-free helps kids get in touch with their physical side too. Without the temptation to laze away the day in front of a screen, our campers can be found testing out their newfound skills in archery, horseback riding, swimming, tennis, and hiking, getting the exercise they need to keep their bodies strong and healthy while having fun.
• Beyond connecting girls with others, a screen-free camp experience also helps our Skyland campers become more comfortable with themselves, giving them space to mindfully focus on their rich inner lives. 

Technology isn’t all bad, of course. We use it at Skyland to streamline our registration procedures, keep in touch with parents, and offer parents an email option for our daily mail bag. There’s a time and place to integrate technology skills with the real world. But it’s equally important for kids to have a space all their own where they can rely on their imaginations to have fun, learn how to read social cues and body language to make friends, and reflect on and remember their experiences in ways that require more brainpower than an instant snap and a couple of emojis. These are the kind of social and emotional skills our girls will need to be successful in a world where technology plays an increasingly large role – skills they can only develop by looking people in the eye and interacting at a human level, sharing feelings in person rather than from behind a screen.

Eliminating digital distractions brings into sharp focus all of the richness of camp as delivered through kids’ five senses. The thwack of an arrow hitting the archery target for the first time, the sight of fireflies dancing outside the window as you drift off to sleep on the screened-in sleeping porches, and the unforgettable smell of marshmallows roasting on a bonfire.

Our campers welcome this break from the pressure of keeping up online and the anxiety that can come from a fear of missing out. Taking a digital detox can feel like a relief. Without the need to constantly update people on what they’re doing, Skyland girls can simply enjoy living in the now.

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There’s still time for your daughter to enjoy all the benefits of a screen-free summer camp experience at Skyland Camp for Girls! We have a limited number of spaces available in Session 2, which runs from July 13 – 30, 2016. Click HERE to register, or email Skyland Camp for more information.