Raising Resilient Kids
Why are so many of our kids anxious, depressed, and glued to screens? Why are they walking away from church in record numbers? Is there anything we can do about it?
YES! We know you want the best for your kids, and so do we!
I recently read Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation. Haidt links the rise of smartphone and social media use to the rise of anxiety and depression among kids. He notes that from 2010 to 2015, anxiety and depression rose sharply in Gen Z, while older generations were less affected.
He attributes this trend to the decline of free play and the surge in screen time.
But we know there’s something more eternal at stake. Children glued to screens are children missing out on real experiences that shape them into who God created them to be.
Outdoor play is one of those real experiences. It fosters creativity, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. Most importantly, it allows children to face appropriate challenges that build resilience and anti-fragility. Without the opportunity to struggle, fail, and overcome difficulties on their own, kids miss out on the chance to develop the strength and perseverance needed to navigate life’s inevitable challenges and to make their faith their own.
That’s why we’re passionate about disconnecting from screens and re-engaging in meaningful, real-world experiences. We call it summer camp. Rustic adventures in God’s creation. We intentionally craft environments where children engage in outdoor activities and adventures that benefit their physical health, social interaction, and personal growth—with Jesus at the center of it all!
Like you, we’re “all in” for summer youth camps. That’s why you’re reading this article! So, what steps can we take during the other 51 weeks of the year to help our kids develop into who God made them to be?
Haidt suggests four “new norms” for healthier childhoods, and we agree:
- No smartphones before high school
- No social media before age 16
- Phone-freeschools
- Promoting increased independence and free play
Pulling back from screen time and leveling up on outdoor play in God’s creation are just a couple of tools to help our kids grow into the confident, resilient individuals God created them to be.
There’s nothing I like more than finishing a week of camp with baptisms as campers make their faith their own. Perhaps the best way we as parents can come alongside our kids after a camp experience is to create some boundaries and incentives for our kids to continue growing into all God intends them to be.
Hope to see you at camp soon!
