Community Corner
Campers Are Turning Toward Screen-Free Adventures to Disconnect and Decompress
Screen-free summer camps help kids unplug, make friends and reconnect with nature. Four camps build their summers around that idea.
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A summer can pass one scroll at a time, or it can fill up with hiking trails, campfires and face-to-face friendships. More families choose the second option, and young campers are turning toward screen-free summer camps where phones stay home.
Parent concerns, research findings and four camp picks, including a boys’ and girls’ pair, all point toward the benefits of unplugging.
Why Families Want a Break From Screens
Kids ages 8 to 18 spend an average of 7.5 hours a day on screens. Too much screen time may lead to less time with family and friends, not enough outdoor or physical activity and sleep problems.
A screen-free summer camp can take the daily negotiation over devices off the table. Child psychiatrists encourage activities that don’t involve screens, such as sports, music, art and hobbies, and camp can fill whole days with them. Every camper follows the same no-phone rule, so everyone starts on equal footing.
What Research Says About Unplugging at Camp
In a five-year study of 80 camps,58% of youth said camp helped them appreciate being present, including time away from technology. The same American Camp Association research found the strongest benefits in affinity for nature, independence and social awareness. Parents also reported deeper friendships and a stronger sense of community after camp.
Time outdoors may matter, too. Kids who spent an hour a day in nature hada 50% lower risk of mental health issues in one recent study led by the University of Glasgow. A camp day can include far more than an hour outdoors.
Best Screen-Free Summer Camps for Kids
Screen-free time works best when there’s plenty to fill it. Several camps build their summers around unplugging. Four screen-free summer camp picks differ in location, session length and activities, giving families plenty of options.
1. AstroCamp
Set on 100 acres in the San Jacinto Mountains,AstroCamp pairs outdoor adventure with hands-on STEM activities, allowing campers to unplug and stay busy all day. The camp sits in Idyllwild, California, about two hours east of Los Angeles.
Key Features
- Setting: Pine forests and granite peaks surround the campus, and some of California’s clearest skies set the stage for stargazing.
- Programs: Two-week campers choose from over 40 activities before arriving, from rocket launches and science experiments to climbing walls and creative arts.
- Standout: Decades of experience and a welcoming community help curious campers feel safe and supported.
2. Camp Champions
Based in Marble Falls, Texas, Camp Champions operates tech-free so campers spend their days outdoors instead of on their phones. Without phones in the picture, campers can give their full attention to cabin mates and camp activities.
Key Features
- Setting: The overnight camp hosts boys and girls and pairs a traditional camp feel with well-equipped facilities.
- Programs: The camp’s mission centers on helping every camper grow, and families can join an info session before enrolling.
- Standout: In 2019, the Partnership for 21st Century Learning named the camp a 21st-century learning exemplar. Austin Family readers have also voted it their favorite overnight camp for eight years running.
3. Swift Nature Camp
At Swift Nature Camp in Minong, Wisconsin, campers leave their phones at home and fill their days with canoeing, hiking and swimming. The small, non-competitive overnight camp welcomes boys and girls ages 6 to 15.
Key Features
- Setting: Campers explore a nature center with animals and head out on canoe trips and hikes.
- Programs: Sessions run two, three or six weeks, and a Special First Timer Camp helps newer campers settle in.
- Standout: The camp blends classic activities like zip-lining, art, music and drama with a focus on nature, science and the environment.
4. Camp Dudley and Camp Kiniya
Camp Dudley serves boys, and Camp Kiniya serves girls. At both camps, a screen-free policy keeps campers focused on arts, athletics, outdoor exploration and friendships. Their shared mission dates back to 1885.
Key Features
- Setting: Camp Dudley sits in Westport, New York, in the Adirondack Mountains, and Camp Kiniya sits in Colchester, Vermont, on Lake Champlain.
- Programs: Campers choose one of two summer sessions or the full season and move through four divisions that add new activities each year.
- Standout: Tiered tuition and a tuition assistance program help more families afford camp.
How These Camps Compare
The four camp picks stretch from California to Vermont, with stops in Texas, Wisconsin and New York. Each one stands out for a different reason.
| Camp | Location | Standout Feature |
| AstroCamp | San Jacinto Mountains, California | Over 40 activities in the two-week camp on a 100-acre mountain campus |
| Camp Champions | Marble Falls, Texas | 2019 designation as a 21st Century Learning Exemplar |
| Swift Nature Camp | Minong, Wisconsin | Small camp with a nature center and canoe trips |
| Camp Dudley and Camp Kiniya | New York and Vermont | Separate boys’ and girls’ camps, with roots back to 1885 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Parents considering a screen-free camp often ask a few of the same questions. Here are some that address a child’s interests, age and contact with home.
Q: Are screen-free camps only for outdoorsy kids?
A: Programs range well beyond hiking and swimming. AstroCamp offers rocket launches and stargazing. Swift Nature Camp includes art, music and drama, while Camp Dudley and Camp Kiniya balance arts with athletics.
Q: What age is best for a first screen-free camp?
A: Shorter sessions can suit first-timers, such as AstroCamp’s one-week camp or Swift Nature Camp’s Special First Timer Camp. Families may want to match session length to how long a child has spent away from home.
Q: How do parents stay in touch during a screen-free camp?
A: Policies vary, so families should ask each camp how it shares updates and handles urgent contact before enrolling. Asking early helps parents know what to expect once camp begins.
Finding the Right Camp for Your Camper
Location, session length and activities can all help families find the right fit. An unplugged summer may leave kids with new interests, new friends and plenty to talk about.
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