Protecting the Magic of Camp: Why Being Smartphone-Free Matters

Our team attended the American Camp Association’s Tri-State Camp Conference in March, where we had the opportunity to learn, reflect, and think intentionally about the camp experience we strive to create each summer.

One of the keynote speakers, Catherine Price, shared powerful insights about our relationship with technology and the importance of reclaiming presence in our daily lives. She is the author of How to Break Up with Your Phone and The Power of Fun, and co-author of The Amazing Generation with Jonathan Haidt.

One idea that particularly resonated with us was her research on what actually creates fun. Catherine defines “true fun” as the combination of three elements: playfulness, connection, and flow. When those three things come together, the experience becomes not just enjoyable, but meaningful and memorable. This kind of fun does more than make us happy—it builds resilience, sparks creativity, and has a unique way of erasing differences by bringing people together.

She also introduced the idea of “fake fun”—experiences that are marketed to us as fun, often through screens or devices, but don’t actually deliver those three ingredients. Without playfulness, real connection, or a sense of flow, those moments can leave us feeling more drained than fulfilled.

Her message reinforced something we’ve long believed—not just as camp professionals, but as people who care deeply about helping young people grow. At Wicosuta, one of the most important ways we protect the magic of camp—and create the conditions for that kind of fun—is by remaining a smartphone-free environment. After all, playfulness, connection, and flow aren’t just ideas we aspire to—they are what we already do every day at camp. They are the magic of camp.

Being Present in the Moment

Camp offers something that’s increasingly rare in everyday life: the chance to be fully present. Without smartphones, campers aren’t watching life through a screen or thinking about what they might be missing elsewhere. Instead, they are in it—laughing with bunkmates, cheering on teammates, and fully immersed in every moment of the day.

From morning flagpole to evening campfires, the experience is uninterrupted, authentic, and deeply felt.

Building Real Connections

Friendships at camp grow quickly—and deeply. Without the distraction of phones, campers spend more time talking, listening, and truly getting to know one another.

They learn how to navigate social moments face-to-face: resolving small conflicts, sharing stories, and building trust. These are the kinds of connections that often last far beyond the summer.

Encouraging Independence and Confidence

Being away from constant contact with home can feel like a big step—but it’s an important one. In a supportive camp environment, campers gain confidence as they make decisions, try new things, and realize they are capable of more than they imagined.

Without a phone in hand, they learn to rely on themselves, their friends, and their counselors. That independence is one of the most valuable—and lasting—outcomes of the camp experience.

Creating Space for Growth and Creativity

When screens are removed, something amazing happens: creativity takes over.

Campers fill their time with imagination, whether it’s inventing a new game, choreographing a dance, writing a skit, or simply enjoying the outdoors. Free from notifications and scrolling, their minds are open to explore, create, and engage in ways that feel both natural and joyful.

Supporting Mental Well-Being

A break from smartphones can also be a healthy reset. Without the pressures of social media, constant comparison, and the 24/7 news cycle, campers often feel lighter, more relaxed, and more connected to themselves and those around them.

Camp becomes a place where they can simply be—without the noise.

Keeping the Focus Where It Belongs

At Wico, every decision we make is centered on creating the best possible experience for our campers. Staying smartphone-free helps us preserve an environment where kids can grow, connect, and thrive—together.

We know it can feel like a shift at first, for both campers and parents. In a world where so much of life happens on a screen, choosing to step away from it—even temporarily—can feel unfamiliar.

But it’s also incredibly powerful.

By giving your child the gift of a screen-free summer, you’re giving them the opportunity to experience real fun—the kind rooted in playfulness, connection, and flow. You’re helping them build resilience, unlock creativity, and form authentic connections that transcend differences.

Year after year, we see the results: campers return home more confident, more connected, and full of stories that could only happen because they were truly in the moment—not watching it from the sidelines of a screen.

As we look ahead to another incredible summer, we remain committed to protecting the magic that makes Wicosuta so special. And we’re grateful to partner with families who value this experience as deeply as we do.

Together, we can give our campers something that lasts far beyond the summer: the ability to connect, to grow, and to find real, meaningful fun.

We can’t wait for Summer 2026. 💙💚