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Should Cell Phones Go to Camp?
Filed under: Gadgets, Activities: Big Kids
Most camps have policies. Credit: Sigrid Olson, Getty Images
Q. My 11-year-old is going to sleep-away camp, and I'm torn about letting her take her cell phone. What should I do?
A. Most camps have policies, so check those first. Sometimes camps prohibit them because they make kids more homesick if they call mom and dad every time they feel lonely.
Beyond that, part of what makes camp a special experience is the bonding that goes on among campers when they're cut off from the outside world. When your daughter can't text her friends from home, she's more likely to make lasting friendships with her bunkmates.
Plus, this is a great opportunity for her to safely develop some independence. Which actually cuts both ways: Thanks to cell phones, we're so used to being able to connect to our kids immediately that we don't often get the chance to stand back and let them deal with situations on their own. And if you're worrying about it for safety's sake, remember that you chose the camp because it was fun and responsible. Let your daughter do her thing.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
6-22-2011 @ 10:37AM
mary said...why does an 11 yr old have a cell phone anyway?
the camp my almost 11 yr old goes to dosent allow cell phones, check the rules maybe they will take that decision out of your hands.
my 16 yr old goes to a different camp and they dont allow cell phones either.
Reply
7-05-2011 @ 11:50AM
jhzien said...The 100+ year old boys' and girls' camps of The Aloha Foundation in Vermont -- www(dot)alohafoundation(dot)org -- ask children to leave the electronics behind when they come for the summer. To learn why, have a look at these article titles our blog for parents:
blog(dot)alohafoundation(dot)org/camp-philosophy/growing-up-digital-but-taking-summers-off/
blog(dot)alohafoundation(dot)org/children-and-social-media/how-do-the-aloha-camps-help-kids-unplug-from-the-247-world-of-technology/
Jim Zien
Executive Director
The Aloha Foundation
Reply