Camp Fire Heart of California | Light the fire within

Camp vs. Screens (Spoiler: Camp wins)

Facts we take seriously at Camp Fire:

  1. Kids spend 90 percent of their time indoors. – Children & Nature Network
  2. Kids spend 50+ hours a week on a screen.  – Children & Nature Network

If you need a quick answer to “Why camp?”, there’s your answer in two short stats.

While scientists disagree on whether screen addiction is a “real” addiction, the research definitely shows overuse can hurt kids:

Camp gives kids a chance to take a screen-breather and start to develop healthy digital boundaries. That’s why Camp Fire camp programs are screen free!

But don’t take our word for it. Science says screen-free camp sessions have serious benefits.

A 2014 experiment studied preteens at a 5-day, screen-free nature camp. Researchers tested the young people’s ability to identify nonverbal emotional cues both before and after their mini-screen-detox nature immersion. They found that spending time in nature and away from screens significantly improved the preteens’ emotional intelligence!

Know a kid who could use some timelooking at the stars instead of their screens? Get them to camp!

*This originally appeared on campfire.org on May 21, 2018.
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