Life Unplugged

A big part of Venture Free is to experience “life unplugged.”

We work to create an environment where our campers must learn to interact with each other. Talk to each other and make new friends. This is one of the reasons we value our “van time” so much. During van time, we make playlists, listen to music, play car games, or simply talk amongst the people next to us. It is a time to interact with others. And interacting with each other in a group is hindered by technology.

Phones:

Please do not send cell phones with your camper. One child’s communication with their parent can affect other campers and make their adjustment to camp more difficult.

In addition to limiting group communication, many of the places we travel to and explore do not have cell and/or data reception. By one camper having a phone or other tech device, it not only disrupts and alters their own experience at camp, but it also disrupts the other campers experience as well. Many of the activities we offer create perfect opportunities for a phone or tech device to break or get lost. VFF is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Please DO NOT send a cell phone as a camera.

In addition to these social and communication reasons, there is a lot of research that shows the incredible benefits of children playing outside and away from technology.

Cameras:

Campers are allowed to bring their cameras to camp, as long as its only function is a camera. However, the counselors will be taking plenty of pictures that will be shared in a digital photo album with all campers families at the end of the week. Campers are welcome to ask counselors to take specific pictures and we occasionally have cameras available for the campers to use.
If your camper brings a camera to camp, please remember; VFF is NOT responsible to lost, stolen, or damaged items.

If a camper brings a phone or other tech device to camp we may collect the device to store safely in the van away from the risk of damage during activity. VFF is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. These devices will be left stored in the locked adventure van while we are adventuring if there are any special accommodation needs, please email Emily@VentureFreeFoundation.org

Technology at Camp:

We can not entirely escape it now! But we also limit our technology at camp. We do stock a cell phone and tablet in the adventure van which are used for the following reasons;