Lately, I’ve been fantasizing about tossing my phone off a cliff during one of my spectacular hikes high above the Pacific Ocean. Not really, but the idea of liberating myself from a habit of checking my phone every other second sounds like a worthy intervention, as I have become addicted to…information. Although constantly trolling social media- not to mention the internet, countless blogs, and stacks of magazines- happens to be necessary for what I do here, it seems I can’t unplug anywhere- even in my sleep. Seriously. And that is why it’s time to consider Camp Grounded…coming to the rescue for those who are saddled with tech-anxiety- myself included.
Camp Grounded is an adults-only summer camp held on former Boy Scouts quarters in Novarro, CA- about three hours north of San Francisco in the gorgeous Mendocino County, and coincidentally not far from where my real summer camp was- organized by Digital Detox, an Oakland-based group dedicated to teaching tech addicts to disconnect…at least for 4 days. Computers, cell phones, clocks, and work of any kind are exchanged for regressive activities such as capture the flag, kickball, hammock-time, truth or dare, sing-along’s, writing sessions, creative workshops, and sneaking out at night- yes, that is an activity.
About 300 campers who do not use their real names or ages- only self-imposed nicknames will suffice- take over this nostalgic 1970’s camp to celebrate what it means to be alive- before cell phones- where 9 different villages are set up. You may experience some phantom buzzing around a body part where your mobile device is normally stationed, but distractions such as 80-acres of lush redwoods, hiking, yoga, mediation, organic meals, and open air cabins with bunk beds- or even your own tent- will almost make you forget your login passwords. With more dates to be announced in Winter 2013 and Summer 2014, Camp Grounded delivers you back to planet earth from that never-ending trip to cyberspace. www.campgrounded.org www.thedigitaldetox.org
