Why Disconnecting Matters More Than Ever
Between phones, tablets, gaming, and social media, kids today spend more time online than ever before. While technology connects us, it can also make it harder for children to build real relationships, manage emotions, and enjoy simple moments.
At Camp Jewell YMCA, we believe summer camp offers something kids can’t download, a real connection. By stepping away from screens and into the woods, campers rediscover creativity, independence, and community.
1. Reconnecting With Nature
Camp is the ultimate reset button. From morning hikes to evening campfires, campers spend their days exploring forests, lakes, and trails instead of scrolling through feeds.
Breathing in fresh mountain air, spotting wildlife, and feeling the sun on their face reminds kids of the world beyond Wi-Fi. This hands-on connection to nature helps reduce stress, improve focus, and boost happiness — benefits no app can match.
2. Building Face-to-Face Friendships
Without phones as a distraction, campers talk, laugh, and share experiences the old-fashioned way — together. Whether they’re paddling a canoe, cooking over a campfire, or playing Gaga ball, they learn to listen, collaborate, and support one another.
At Camp Jewell, we often hear campers say, “I made my best friends here.” That’s because real friendships aren’t built on likes or followers — they’re built on shared adventures and laughter under the stars.
3. Boosting Confidence and Independence
When kids step away from screens, they step into real-world confidence. They learn to make decisions, solve problems, and lead. Whether it’s navigating a trail, helping in the cabin, or learning a new skill, campers realize their strength comes from within — not from a device in their pocket.
These experiences nurture resilience, courage, and independence that carry into school and beyond.
4. Inspiring Creativity and Imagination
Without the constant stream of videos and notifications, campers rediscover the joy of imagination. They invent games, write songs, build forts, and tell stories by flashlight. Creativity blossoms when the only limit is their own ideas — not screen time.
5. Rediscovering Joy in Simple Moments
One of the best parts of camp? The quiet moments — the laughter at lunch, the splash in the lake, the cheers at evening program.
At Camp Jewell, every camper gets to slow down and truly be present — noticing the beauty of a sunset, the sound of the woods at night, and the warmth of community that technology can’t replicate.
6. Building Lifelong Habits of Balance
Campers leave Camp Jewell with more than great memories — they leave with a new sense of balance. They see firsthand that life offline can be rich, full, and joyful. When they return home, they’re often more mindful of when and how they use technology.
Many parents tell us their children come home more confident, communicative, and calm — a powerful reminder that time away from screens is time well spent.
Conclusion: Real Connection Starts Here
At Camp Jewell YMCA, we’re proud to be a place where kids can unplug and reconnect, with nature, with friends, and with themselves. For over a century, we’ve helped generations of campers discover that the greatest connections are made face to face, not screen to screen.
This summer, give your child the gift of rediscovering what truly matters — laughter, friendship, and the joy of being present.
