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7 Things I Learned From Being (Nearly) Phone-Free at Sleep-Away Camp

By Roger Gelman, Media Power Youth Advisory Board Member

Before the start of every summer my living room turns into Camp Packing Central: piles of T-shirts, bathing suits, and random socks everywhere. This was my seventh summer away, and while part of me was pumped to ditch my Google Classrooms and finals stress, I also had this weird feeling I couldn’t completely ignore. Not homesickness (sorry, Mom and Dad). It was more like “phone-mo” — the stress of giving up my phone for seven weeks.

At my camp, any device with WiFi or cell service is banned. Once you hit 7th grade, you can use your phone a little on overnight trips away from camp, but otherwise it’s locked up in the office. Which means no TikTok, no group texts, no sports scores. And yeah, I missed it – but going phone-free taught me some things. 

1. The first few days are rough

I kept reaching into my pocket for a phone that wasn’t thereI worried about what I was missing in the outside world. But after a few days and plenty of distractions, I started to forget about it.

2. Being bored is underrated

With no phone to scroll the second I had some downtime, I filled my free time with pick-up basketball, card games, and just hanging out. Sometimes it’s good to let your brain just wander.

3. It’s easier when everyone’s in it together

Having 10 bunkmates also phoneless meant there was always someone to talk to or do stuff with.

4. Important news finds you anyway

 We still got sports scores at morning lineup and heard big current events-type news from counselors. Turns out you don’t need to check your phone every three minutes to stay in the loop.

5. You actually talk more

Without phones to hide behind, the bunk got quite loud. We always had something to say or laugh at. We were connecting by talking and telling stories, not messaging back and forth through screens.

6. Sleep is better

No late-night scrolling meant more consistent bedtimes. Everyone was on the same routine, which honestly felt great. I was never overly tired.

7. Habits snap back fast

This year, my division at camp had different phone privileges. We got 10-15 minutes a week with our phones and time on multiple trips out of camp. The second they were back in our hands, we zoned out again. It reminded me how easy it is to slide back into old habits — and how helpful it is to have forced breaks.

Creating a “camp bubble” at home

I know going 100% phone-free at home isn’t realistic. We need our phones for too many things. But camp showed me that collective, phone-off time really works. That’s probably partly why I love playing tennis matches or skiing with my family so much — those moments force me to stay off my phone for hours at a time and stay present.

This fall, my school is starting a new policy: phones off and stored in backpacks all day. Breaking the rules will have disciplinary consequences. Honestly? I think the collective, forced time away from our phones might be exactly what we need. And I think I’m actually excited about it.

MPY’s Youth Media Squad members are student leaders from across the country who are passionate about sharing their experiences and making a difference. From painters to podcasters, we have a wide range of media interests and backgrounds represented in our group! These amazing students are building their advocacy skills through work sessions and discussions with field experts. They advise us on programs and inspire us by making media about issues they care about. Learn more by visiting our Youth Advisory Board page.