June 20, 2003
No cell phones at summer camps
In an interesting article, The Christian Monitor looks into wired and wireless kids going off to camp. When looking for a summer camp, a new critera has come up, is this camp "plugged" or "unplugged". In today's world most teens don't want to leave home without their electronic toys. And most parents like to keep in touch thanks to cell phones. Camp directors are having to respond to this new reality and decide how much they will let the wired world into their simpler, far more rustic communities.
Most camp directors are against all electronic devices, radios, Walkmans, cellphones, computer games, and all similar devices which are solitary activities, saying camp is all about developing social skills, building community, sharing traditions, learning to write letters, cultivating an appreciation for the natural world, and being so physically active that kids drop into bed after taps.
But while many camps are trying to keep electronics out, others are finding that they must allow some forms in. A recent survey by the National Camping Association found that 70 percent of camps in America use e-mail. Of those, 60 percent use it for one-way communication, from parents to campers.
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