Away
from the everyday
The world in which
our children live is
schedules are often full
with school, homework,
team activities (athletic,
academic, arts, theater,
music, etc.), playdates,
family visits, chores
and, yes, cell phones/
computers/video games.

BY GLENN SMITH
J ust as we recognize and learn to accept
this current world around us, we can, and
should, remember a key element of physi-
cal and emotional well-being: moderation.

Moderation gives us the opportunity to
sidestep overload, stress and lack of sleep —
and those are just a few benefits. It gives our
kids an opportunity to control the noise and
control the demands on their time. It gives
them permission to unplug. Unplugging
from technology allows our kids to be the
story, not text the story.

While fall, winter and spring are dic-
tated by schools and schedules, the sum-
mer presents an opportunity to recharge,
10 WashingtonFAMILY FEBRUARY 2019
energize and moderate the hectic life the
rest of the year demands. It’s a moment for
interacting in real time, with real people,
for real experiences.

Nicole M. Stern, Ph.D., a practicing licensed
psychologist in D.C. notes that “camp pro-
vides a cell-phone free zone, meaning no social
media, which is so freeing for these kids.”
We know that our kids live in a world that
requires them to plug in maybe more than
we would like. But, sleepaway summer camp
presents that unique opportunity to change
that part of their daily routine, even if only
for a few weeks. It provides the opportunity
to not only have fun — but to unplug — and
ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS / WAVEBREAKMEDIA
complex. Their daily
THE BENEFITS OF
SLEEPAWAY CAMP