According to my quick rough math, our campers live without screen time for 168 hours from when they are dropped off. Our two-weekers are looking at about 336 hours screen-free.
In this screen-free time, they’ve been living days full of new activities, forging new friendships, and strengthening old ones. Each night, meaningful conversations unfold during cabin devotionals, where campers and counselors share and grow together. Their days are filled with adventures, large and small, from the thrill of zipping down the zipline to the challenge of multi-day trips. They’ve spent nights sleeping under the stars, experiencing the wonder of God’s creation firsthand. What a gift they have been given!
168 hours! It is astounding how rare and valuable this experience is for young men. In a world dominated by screens, these campers are among a rare group who have embraced the richness of real-life interactions and the beauty of the natural world. This rare and powerful experience will pay dividends in their lives throughout the rest of the year and for years to come.
Last night, I spent time in Battalion with our high school campers. The energy and excitement in the air were palpable. Their smiles were big and wide as they recounted stories from their time here. The fun and silly moments and the hard and challenging ones taught them something about themselves and life.
It was truly inspiring to hear their stories of pushing themselves out of their comfort zones and growing in ways they didn’t think they could. Some conquered routes on our rock wall they thought were impossible. Others found the courage to open up and share honestly with their cabin group during devotions about struggles they were going through, finding support from their peers. Through all of this, I’ve witnessed tremendous growth in these campers—it was a gift to hear them articulate that growth for themselves.
As we bid farewell to our campers, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for their participation. Their presence has enriched our camp in ways they may not even realize, and we will miss them dearly. We hope they continue to embrace the screen-free lifestyle and grow at home as they have during camp.
Adventure is all around us–we have only to look up and out to see it! We strive to help these young men grow in faith and courage. Here’s to a summer of transformation and unforgettable moments at Northern Frontier.
