Next week, I’ll begin a three-year term as Chair of the American Camp Association.

Plus, I just celebrated a big birthday, 40!

Just kidding, 60. This means I have spent over half my life working with young people. These two events have me reflecting on how I can make the biggest contribution to future generations.

Here’s my ask: help me spread the word about the transformative power of summer camp. And I don’t mean Camp Champions specifically - I’m talking about why going to ANY overnight camp matters now more than ever.

Camp has so many benefits, but these two are especially powerful right now:

1. Camp is a cure for tech overload
2. Camp prepares children to be stronger and happier in an anxious world

Tackling Tech Overload

Technology gives us many gifts, but it’s also hijacking our lives. Social media replaces connection with comparison, and screens dominate our days. In 2012, I did a TEDx talk about “Unplugging at Summer Camp”. Every challenge we saw in 2012 is magnified today.

At camp, kids unplug completely—no phones, no tablets, no distractions. For weeks, they learn how to connect face-to-face, build friendships, and experience pure, unfiltered fun.

Better yet, they see adults thriving without screens. It’s a rare and powerful reminder that life can be amazing without constant notifications. Camp isn’t just a break from tech—it’s a reset. It teaches kids that they have power over their devices, not the other way around.

Building Strong Kids

I am sure that you have read about rising levels of anxiety and depression in our young people. Our devices are clearly a big part of it - social media (for one example) encourages interpersonal comparison, social cruelty, and isolation.

A second factor is overprotection in parenting. We feel compelled to protect our kids from short-term discomfort, but this can rob them of the opportunity to build strength.

We must remember that kids only learn they can overcome challenges by overcoming challenges. Our minds are like our immune systems in that they become stronger only after being tested. In other words, we are “anti-fragile”; appropriate stress makes us stronger.

I like to say that we do not want our children to be in tears during their freshman year of college – we want them to be the rock that others rely on, or even the shoulder that others are able to cry on.

At camp, kids face challenges—disagreements, bad weather, homesickness—but they tackle them with the support of caring adults. They learn that discomfort isn’t the enemy; it’s the path to strength. And by the way, they have a lot of fun while they’re at it.

Call to Action

My request is that you encourage everyone you know to send their kids to camp. Yes, Camp Champions is my personal favorite, but any overnight camp can provide these benefits.

My goal? By the time I turn 65, I want to see more kids who are confident, resilient, and ready to take on the world.

Thanks for helping make it happen.

Your fan,

Steve Baskin