Communication is at an all-time high, but are we connected? The answer is
complicated. We certainly can be.

The internet’s rise was exciting because we had “the world at our fingertips!” In
seconds, we can communicate with someone thousands of miles away. We can receive
immediate notifications of events across the country and watch them in real time,
sending comments and reacts and tagging others to tune in. The potential bounds of
our awareness have exploded – and with that, so have the demands for our attention
and focus, but not necessarily our capacity.

When we know how to use the tools at our disposal in ways that are helpful, screens
and apps and the internet are valuable, even for learning about nature. But for youth
navigating quick-dopamine-fix obstacles — the same that lead us to “doomscrolling” — the
web can have real affects on brain development. A number of recent studies show how
internet use can be addictive, impacting what is known as a child’s functional
connectivity. And it’s no secret that our young folks, the ones who tend to be the most
attuned to our technological trends and chronically online, are feeling more isolated and
lonely than any other age group. A 2025 report by the World Health Organization shows
that 13-17-year-olds have the highest rate of loneliness among all of us.
Summer camp can be a strong remedy, building community and connection away from
screen time, with others and with nature.

At camp, a curiosity about trees becomes sensory observation: we touch, smell, listen,
see, and sometimes even taste! Peers share their experiences with trees and we learn
stories from the lives of others who we can directly relate to—new friends! Curiosity at
camp requires us to verbalize good questions and listen to answers, processing
information differently, more effectively, because we care about the person sharing it
with us. Even when we are distracted—playing games or daydreaming while we eat our
snack—we are building memories in the shade of the trees and breathing shared air; we
are somatically affected by the trees’ presence.

At camp, we learn fun facts and synthesize new information, but even more importantly,
we are truly connecting with the world around us. Our social-emotional learning and
academic learning become multifaceted and intertwined. These connections underline
belonging and understanding within a community, and when we are part of a
community, we care about it. We become helpers, listeners, doers, and protectors.
When we understand our place in a community, our resources for processing

challenges and hardships are expanded and we feel more capable, because we know
we are supported—that’s resilience!

Summer camp can be one of the most impactful experiences of a child’s life, sparking
inspiration and developing personal identity through these various connections. Bearing
witness to immeasurable character growth and impactful learning in the youth who
cross the threshold into camp is a privilege that camp leaders like me get to experience
every summer. And I hope it might inspire some grownups to seek camplike
experiences for themselves as well.