WELLBEING | How To Have A Tech-Free Family Camping Break

June 4, 2016 Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Camping Features, Camping Tips & Advice, Family Camping, Homepage Feature, Latest Posts, Tips & Advice, Wellbeing

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There was a time when the mere thought of going tech-free left me feeling panicky. I felt my life was far too interesting and fun to simply keep it all to myself.

Looking back of course, part of me was seeking validation and I also had a fear of missing out which lead to me being constantly connected and compelled me to share much of my life on social media, hooked on the Pavlovian response of gratification that came with every new like and comment.

reading a book — *A good book and a great view, I’ve finally learned to find joy in more simple things*

After spending the best part of a year reading extensively on the subject of mindfulness, neuroscience and brain plasticity in particular, I learned how our over-reliance on the internet is changing the way our brains work and turning us into essentially, unhappy idiots.

I identified with the fact that social media has its place and did offer benefits, but it certainly wasn’t making me happier, in fact it was making me unhappy and much, much less productive. Having a phone constantly in my hand did not fit with my desire for greater peace or to live life more mindfully.

My burgeoning suspicion that always being connected and over-sharing was bad for me, was now backed up by myriad scientific research. I decided to break my over-reliance on social media; to delete the Facebook app, turn off all notifications and to pick up my phone less often.

I realised that I didn’t really care what people I’d met a handful of times or used to hang out with 30 years ago were having for breakfast, their political views or what their latest rant was and I certainly didn’t care about gossip, clickbait or the latest attempt to data-mine by way of a thinly disguised quiz or must-have new app or filter.

Sharing my own life experiences on social media largely didn’t enhance them, they took me out of them. I was more distracted and much less engaged in the here and now. My constant connection to tech via social media was harming my wellbeing.

Sharing our lives on social media is so ingrained, it’s become an automatic response. If we’re glued to our mobile phones, we’re influencing our children’s behaviour and it stands to reason that they will seek the same level of digital distraction.

It wasn’t easy, but I’ve now learned to spend a few days at a time away from the internet and several weeks at a time with no personal social media use.

crabbing — *Find joy in the simple things, like rock-pooling*

I train businesses in how to effectively leverage social media, I run countless social media advertising campaigns for my clients and of course, I’m a blogger, so erasing social media from my life entirely is simply not realistic or practical but whilst I have to use it professionally, I can make a concious choice when it comes to personal use.

I do of course recognise that there are some (limited) benefits to social media. For example, posting on a local Facebook group lead to me finding my lost cat. When I was rushed into hospital it was a quick and easy way to let friends and family know without having to contact everyone individually and the messages I received felt like warm hugs.

But the benefits I’ve felt since cutting down my use of social media have far outweighed the benefits of using it more.

So if you fancy trying out a digital detox next time you go camping, here are some simple ways that you and your family can spend a few quality days together, tech-free.

Tips for a family camping digital detox

1. Turn off mobile data and WiFi

Of course, you need to take your phone, for navigation, taking photos and for safety, purposes having a phone is a must, but you don’t need it to be constantly connected to the internet.

So turn off mobile data and WiFi. It will stop you from stressing about the lack of mobile signal or shonky WiFi. Children learn by example and if as parents we are constantly peering at a screen, then it’s only natural that they will want to do the same.

Turning off mobile data means that you won’t be able to update Instagram or provide an endless commentary of check-ins on Facebook. So what? The world will still turn, your friends won’t suddenly forget who you are. You and your family are the ones having the experience and you’ll get more out of it if you are fully present and immersed.

You can share all you like once you get home, just not right now. So turn flight mode on, turn the handset off, whatever it takes to break the habit of making constant updates and checking notifications.

2. Don’t pack that tablet or laptop

You are going away for a reason, presumably, for a short break or holiday in order to recharge yourself and/or to spend some quality family time, so let work and digital distractions wait. Nothing is more refreshing than disconnecting from your everyday life and reconnecting with yourself, those you love and the natural world.

Whilst you’re away, with a little bit of planning, your main source of entertainment can be easily provided by the great outdoors. Don’t even think about taking the laptop. Turn off the tablet and leave that at home too. And yes, that applies to the children’s tablets too!

Kids have been conditioned to rely on instant entertainment in digital form. Many have a tablet or phone shoved in front of their faces as a pacifier, a boredom buster or a mood stabiliser. Then we complain they lack imagination and don’t know how to entertain themselves!

We are condemning them (children) to an imagination-free life in an always-connected culture that exacerbates stress and unhappiness.

Quite aside from just shrugging and accepting this over-reliance on digital devices, we need to understand that by doing this, we are changing the way our children’s brains work. In doing so, we are condemning them to an imagination-free life in an always-connected culture that exacerbates stress and unhappiness.

*Why not use camping as a chance to get creative?*

There have been heaps of reports that tell us how little contact your average child has with nature. We know that playing outside in fresh air is good for their bodies and their minds.

We know that kids report loving outdoors play, and we also know that idle-time is valuable, as it gives them (and us) space and time to think, to process and to be creative; all of which are huge positives that a child doesn’t get from having a tablet plonked under their nose the second they appear even vaguely fidgety or bored.

In bad weather or in the evening before bedtime play a family game, get them to read a book, do some relaxing colouring-in or a jigsaw instead.

3. Plan nature-based activities in advance

When boredom sets in, it can be all too easy to turn to tech to fill that gap. Try instead to nurture an interest in nature. It isn’t always easy, but there are loads of ways you can help to encourage your children to be more interested in the outdoors.

camping wildlife — *From Buzzards to bunnies, dragonflies to dolphins, we’ve spotted lots of wildlife when camping*

Here are some ideas to get you started, and every single one of them will prove more rewarding and more memorable than gazing at a screen.

Devise a scavenger hunt to make walks more interesting (check out 10 reasons why children should hunt bugs)
Go rock-pooling at the beach
Learn as a family to identify trees, flowers, birds and fungi
Get arty and draw a landscape or write a poem about it
Take your yarn or needlework with you and do some crochet, knitting or embroidery
Take books and boardgames
Hunt out interesting shots to capture on your camera
Get walking, bike riding or swimming
Fly a kite!
Get into geocaching
Learn about the constellations and do some stargazing
Go foraging and see what wild edible free food you can find
Collect and stack stones and make your own mini cairns or paint them
Get your children to count how many times they spot an animal or plant
Try some bushcraft and scavenge materials to make a shelter

4. Slow down and don’t be scared of nothingness

Don’t feel that you have to over-plan your family break. It’s fine to have a vague idea of things you’d particularly like to do, but you should always plan for down-time too.

When was the last time that you laid out a picnic blanket and simply lay on your back with the children picking out shapes in the clouds? Or the last time you pointed out Orions belt as you gazed up at the night sky?

Chill out — *Don’t be afraid to kick back and be still*

Sitting around doing nothing is OK. It’s not something to be scared of. Even now I have to admit that I still feel the pathological need to be occupied and productive at all times and I often struggle, but I’m working at it and improving.

True boredom is a rare thing, and as long as they have air in their lungs and sun on their backs, there is a fascinating world beyond the screen, far from the internet connection and it’s full of all the wonders and beauty of nature.

Next time your child moans that they are bored or there is nothing to do, don’t feel the need to rush in and remedy that fleeting moment with technology.

Teach your children to embrace those times, true boredom is a rare thing, and as long as they have air in their lungs and sun on their backs, there is a fascinating world beyond the screen, far from the internet connection, and it’s full of all the wonders and beauty of nature.

When your family shifts into that mindset, it’s impossible to be bored and constant access to technology doesn’t feel quite so necessary.

Kite flying — *Our friend flying the same kite she flew as a child whilst camping in Wales*

References & Further Reading

Over to you

I’d love to know how you deal with the demands of children who seek constant connection. Do you put your foot down and insist on tech-free times, or perhaps you feel that giving your child a tablet is the only thing that gives you any peace?

I’d also love to hear how you entertain the children and whether they’ve been creative and used their imagination to come up with games and things to do themselves?

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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