This weekend I am going on a retreat and the theme around it is unplugging. This got me thinking about the importance of taking a break from the technology that we are constantly surrounded by. I came across a Ted Talk by Steve Baskin about unplugging and its relation to camp. He shares three main points being: We live in a world defined by technology, this world requires a set of skills to be successful, and that summer camp, devoid of technology, may be the best place to learn these skills.

Don’t get me wrong, I love technology as much as the next person as Steve shares our world is defined by the technology we have.  I check my phone and Facebook more than I would care to admit. It is not uncommon to look around and see multiple people looking down at their phones in public. In the Ted Talk, Steve shares that on average a teen spends around 53 hours in front of a screen, whether this be a phone, TV, or gaming device.  This is taking away from daily face to face interactions.

The Ted talk continues on by saying that our world also requires a certain set of skills to be successful. These are interpersonal skills. So when looking at the high number of screen time, it is concerning that when we should be strengthening our communication and collaboration skills by face to face interaction we tend to turn to our screens instead. In short, technology is taking away the very skills needed to succeed in a technological world. How can we unplug and connect with each other?

This leads us to Steve’s last point, that summer camp is the perfect place for kids to learn interpersonal skills. Kids are put into an environment devoid of technology and create connections and friendships that will last a life time. It is a place where kids can put down the phones, log off the computer and say thanks for it.  Steve ends his talk by sharing part of a letter he got from one of his campers. The letter shared that camp had not taken technology away from her, it had given her the ability to turn it off and turn her personality on.

At Ferncliff we are striving to have our campers and counselors disconnect from technology and re-connect with God, nature, and each other. The only tweeting that will be happening will be coming from the birds. No watching videos on Youtube, instead your camper will watch their counselors and fellow campers make funny skits. Instead of a text message, it will be a hand written note sharing words of encouragement. Come Join us this summer at Ferncliff and unplug for a while.

Attached below is a link to the Ted Talk if you would like to watch it.

http://www.campchampions.com/parents/we-understand-camp-better-than-anyone/steve-baskin-ted-video