Unfortunately, sometimes, for our teens, it seems like all their relationships and most of their lives exist inside a small rectangle. It is vital to help your teens unplug from their phones and other screens. One of the most effective ways to get your kids off of their phones is to send them on a week of adventure camp. In this article, we are discussing the importance of unplugging and experiencing God’s creation.
Technology Is Not Bad In And Of Itself
It is important to note that technology is not bad, nor should the use of screens be universally prohibited. Computers, phones, and tablets provide value for teenagers.
The Benefits Of Technology
Before we write off screen time altogether, a few of the benefits include:
- Access to information.
- The ability to connect with friends and people throughout the world.
- The opportunity to continue school during a pandemic or poor weather conditions.
- Opportunities to learn important and marketable skills such as coding.
While we feel like our children are using their screens to disconnect from the world, they are often using them to connect with their friends. However, too much screen time can have negative effects on teens.
Screen Time Can Have Negative Effects On Teenagers
Per Pew Research Center, almost all teens (95%) have access to a smartphone, and nearly half (45%) say they are online almost constantly.
The constant use of screens and access to social media can have serious behavioral, physical, and emotional consequences and can lead to anxiety and ADHD.
Being In Nature Helps Teens
When teens unplug and turn off their screens, their eyes are opened to a beautiful world for them to explore. Teen adventure camps help teens discover beautiful places in a unique way while making meaningful relationships and learning new skills.
Created for Adventure gives teens opportunities to have adventures in beautiful locations while also challenging them to live their lives to the fullest and grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus..
Understanding The Impact Of Nature On Teen Development
Teens sometimes need help seeing there is more to life than what they see on their screens. Parents can help them understand this by engaging them in activities that involve outdoor exploration and adventure.
Psychological Benefits Of Outdoor Activities
Engaging in outdoor activities offers significant psychological benefits for teenagers. Nature serves as a natural stress reliever, promoting mental health and emotional well-being. Engaging in outdoor activities offers significant psychological benefits for teenagers.
- Nature serves as a natural stress reliever, promoting mental health and emotional well-being.
- Activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife observation can enhance mood, reduce feelings of stress and depression, and increase overall happiness.
- Exposure to natural settings has been linked to improved attention spans and a reduction in symptoms of ADHD.
Outdoor adventures are not just recreational but therapeutic.
Physical Health And Outdoor Exploration
The physical benefits of engaging in outdoor activities are equally important. Regular physical activity, particularly in natural settings, can improve cardiovascular health, increase strength and flexibility, and promote a healthy weight.
The dynamic environment of outdoor adventures challenges the body in unique ways compared to indoor exercises, offering a comprehensive workout that benefits overall physical development.
The Role Of Parental Guidance In Digital And Natural Balance
1. Encourage Digital Detox
Parents play a crucial role in helping teens find a balance between screen time and real-world experiences. Encouraging regular digital detox periods can help teens break the cycle of constant connectivity, allowing them to rediscover the joy of in-person interactions and the beauty of the world around them.
Setting aside specific times for family outdoor activities can reinforce these habits, providing a healthy framework for digital consumption.
2. Foster An Appreciation For The Outdoors
Instilling an appreciation for nature and outdoor activities in teenagers requires active participation and enthusiasm from parents. Sharing experiences such as family hikes, camping trips, or even visits to local parks can lay the foundation for a lifelong love of the outdoors.
Encouraging teens to join outdoor clubs, participate in adventure camps, or volunteer for environmental conservation projects can further deepen their connection to the natural world.
Practical Tips For Balancing Technology And Nature
- Set Technology-Free Zones and Times: Establish areas in the home and times during the day where technology use is discouraged, such as during meal times or in bedrooms at night.
- Plan Regular Outdoor Adventures: Schedule regular family outings that focus on outdoor activities. These can range from simple walks in a nearby park to weekend camping trips.
- Encourage Participation in Organized Outdoor Programs: Look for local or national organizations that offer structured outdoor programs for teenagers, such as adventure camps or environmental conservation groups.
- Lead by Example: Demonstrate a healthy balance of technology use and outdoor activity in your own life. Your behavior can serve as a powerful model for your teens.
- Foster a Culture of Mindfulness: Teach teens to be mindful of their screen time and its impact on their health and well-being. Encourage discussions about how they feel during and after outdoor activities versus prolonged screen use.
Benefits Of Unplugging For Teenagers With Activities Like Adventure Camps
Created for Adventure offers faith-based Adventure Trips for ages 13-18 years old in the great outdoors. Our excursions are more than just a fun getaway. Students will travel to magnificent locations while learning more about God's love for them.
The person and character of Jesus are at the heart of every adventure camp experience. Throughout the week, morning devotions and evening small group sessions will provide an opportunity for students to grow in their faith.
Campers will embark on extraordinary excursions and push themselves to attempt new things by stepping out of their comfort zones. They will be able to disconnect from daily distractions and spend time in God's magnificent creation.
There are numerous benefits to sending your teenagers to an adventure camp like those hosted by Created for Adventure. These camps offer a unique opportunity for teens to unplug from their screens, connect with nature, and make meaningful relationships while learning new skills.
- Seeing Beautiful Places: Created for Adventure provides opportunities for teens to experience some of the most spectacular places in the country. We don’t just visit the touristy places. Our students get to tour remote and backcountry areas and discover extraordinary and unique places within the United States. We find that after a few days (or hours), teens no longer even miss or want their phones.
- Transformative Experiences: Our adventure trips offer more than just fun; they're about transformation. Your teen will return with a renewed sense of self-confidence, independence, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
- Spiritual Growth: Our trips provide an unparalleled opportunity to explore and deepen your faith through the awe-inspiring lens of God's creation. Morning devotions and reflective evening discussions offer moments of spiritual connection and growth.
- Making New Friends: Adventure Camp allows your teen to step out of their comfort zone and practice independence, but it also allows them to work as part of a team to solve challenges and achieve new objectives. One of the most important qualities your teen may learn at adventure camp is teamwork. The other students on your teen’s adventure trip will become friends for life as they develop bonds through working together to explore some of the last wild places in America.
- Learning Valuable Skills: While there are valuable lessons your teen can learn by using technology, experiencing the outdoors unlocks many other valuable, lifelong skills. On our adventure camp trips, your teen will be interested in any number of skills that include but are not limited to hiking, biking, fire-building, horseback riding, outdoor cooking, climbing, watersports, and so much more.
- Developing a Lifelong Love for Nature: Spending a week or more inundated with nature will develop a love for creation that will motivate them to practice good stewardship of what God has given us.
Unplug With Created For Adventure
While technology undoubtedly plays a vital role in our lives and the lives of our teenagers, it is essential to maintain a healthy balance with the natural world. Encouraging teens to unplug and explore the great outdoors can provide them with invaluable experiences, skills, and memories that last a lifetime.
By fostering an environment that values both digital and natural exploration, we can help our teenagers grow into well-rounded, healthy, and mindful individuals.
If you are ready for your teen to spend a summer unplugged and immersed in nature, we would love to talk with you further. As we've explored the vast benefits of unplugging from technology and reconnecting with nature, there is no substitute for the hands-on, immersive experiences that await your teen in the great outdoors.
Reach Out To Created For Adventure For Trips This Summer
Choosing to send your teen on an adventure trip with Created for Adventure is choosing to invest in their future. It's an opportunity for them to step out of their comfort zone, disconnect from the digital world, and discover their potential in an environment that is both challenging and supportive.
With a commitment to safety, personal growth, and environmental stewardship, our team is dedicated to providing an unforgettable experience that impacts teens for years to come. Whether it's conquering a mountain peak, navigating the rapids of a river, or simply finding stillness under a starlit sky, the memories and lessons from their adventure will be a beacon of light in their journey of growth.
Contact us today to learn more about our upcoming adventure trips and how to register. Let's create unforgettable memories and foster a deeper connection with the world around us. Together, let's unlock the adventure that awaits with Created for Adventure.