Across the country, a movement to limit smartphone use in schools is gaining momentum. States like New York and Virginia are adopting policies to make classrooms phone-free, recognizing the profound impact of technology on students’ focus, mental health, and social development. Experts and advocates, including Jonathan Haidt, have championed these initiatives, emphasizing that removing smartphones during school hours helps students engage more deeply in learning and social interactions.
While schools grapple with implementing these policies, the evidence is clear: phone-free environments improve focus, reduce distractions, and foster genuine connections. At Cheley, we embrace these principles and take them even further. For 27 days, campers experience an immersive, tech-free environment—not just during the day, but all the time. No phones. No notifications. No group chats. No filters. No screens.
This isn’t just a tech detox; it’s a transformative sleepaway camp experience that allows campers to fully engage with the world around them, build meaningful relationships, and reconnect with nature.
27 Days Tech-Free
Imagine this: stepping into a world without smartphones where your days are filled with the sound of boots crunching on mountain trails, the splash of paddles as you conquer the water on a rafting trip, and the joy of face-to-face conversations. At Cheley, we don’t just limit tech use for a few hours—we eliminate it completely for 27 days, creating an environment where campers can thrive in ways that go beyond what phone-free schools can offer.
Here’s how Cheley takes the concept of phone-free environments to the next level:
Real Social Connection
Campers build friendships through shared experiences, not texting, Facetiming, or Snapchatting. They talk, laugh, and bond over adventures and moments of vulnerability—connections that last long after camp ends. Without the distractions of phones, campers focus entirely on the people around them, embracing the joy of being in person together and learning to be fully present in their relationships.
Full Immersion in Activities
Campers can’t doom scroll or make TikToks when they’re bored—they’re almost always doing something exciting, and when they’re not, they get to simply hang out and enjoy each other’s company. Without the distractions of notifications or screens, they fully engage in each moment, whether they’re learning to horseback ride, hiking to a summit, or working as a team to tackle a challenge. Meals aren’t spent tuned out with a phone, YouTube video, or video game—they’re filled with conversation, laughter, and connection. By being fully present, campers develop new skills, build confidence, and take away memories they’ll treasure forever.
A Healthy Escape from Drama
While phone-free schools provide a temporary refuge from online drama, camp offers an extended break. A month without the constant stream of social media means freedom from the pressures of likes, comments, and the need to present a curated version of yourself. At camp, you can’t do something just for your online persona—everything is real and in the moment, with all the imperfections that make life genuine. While counselors and photographers capture cool moments to share, campers live fully in those experiences instead of performing for a camera. This extended break gives campers the space to reflect on who they are without the noise of social media, returning home refreshed, confident, and with a clearer sense of what truly matters.
Building Independence and Resilience
Phones can become crutches, but camp challenges kids to navigate the world with confidence and independence. Without the ability to instantly text their parents or search online for an answer, campers learn to rely on their own resourcefulness and problem-solving skills. From tackling challenges to making decisions, they discover their own strength without constant digital check-ins. These experiences help them develop critical life skills, from collaboration to leadership, that will serve them long after camp ends.
A Better Night’s Sleep
With no blue light and no late-night scrolling, campers sleep deeply, waking up ready to tackle each day’s adventures. Better sleep improves not only energy but also mood and overall well-being, allowing campers to get the most out of their time at camp.
A Thoughtful Approach to Technology
We recognize that some technology is necessary for safety and camp operations. While campers remain completely tech-free, staff use technology sparingly and purposefully—for emergencies, internal communication, and capturing camp memories—but never for personal use around campers.
At Cheley, our tech-free environment isn’t about rejecting technology altogether; it’s about creating space for campers to focus on what matters most: building character, forming meaningful connections, and experiencing the natural world.
While schools are making strides in limiting tech use during the day, sleepaway camp offers something even more transformative: a rare opportunity to step away from screens altogether. At Cheley, we trade notifications for nature, likes for laughter, and screens for sunshine—and we think that’s worth celebrating.
Ready to give your camper the gift of 27 days without tech? Let’s make it happen.
