Camp Lets Students Step Outside Their Circumstances
Camp has always been a place where troubled students could step out of their broken circum- stances into a compassionate and Christ-cen- tered environment; for this generation, however, the separation aspect of camp is more relevant than ever before. Gen Z has grown up in a culture that is hyper-focused on technology and social media, but the division and distance of the past several years have taken this trend to a far deeper level. According to a study by Pew Research, nearly half of US teens report that they are on the internet almost constantly. For many students, this overconnectivity robs them of the ability to step outside of their daily struggles. Issues such as peer comparison, cyberbullying, and addiction become an ever-present reality. I listen carefully as Kyle continues. “There’s some- thing so special and hopeful about being able to take a break and step away… time and time again, I’ve watched a student go from weeping when they got to camp because they didn’t want to be there to weeping because they didn’t want to leave.” He explains that a week of camp is often the first time that students can work through and evaluate their struggles. For Gen Z, this experience of disconnecting from their devices and engaging in Christ-centered community is often a pivotal step in launching their relationship with Jesus.
This experience of disconnecting from their devices and engaging in Christ-centered community is often a pivotal step in launching their relationship with Jesus.
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