Winter vacay, festive Holidays, a break in your routine and cherished time with family and friends, yet one thing may remain constant; your teen’s grip on their phone. No matter the season, when you glance in your teen’s direction, are they mid-scroll on TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, or Spotify?

With valid concern about our kids’ screen time, why not suggest putting social media to good use over winter break? Instead of just using social media to pass the time, make the most of downtime by proposing your teen take the lead in planning for an amazing summer! Exploring summer opportunities on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok will create feelings of excitement as well as empowerment. On social, your teen will see peers having fun engaging in outdoor activities and hands-on exploring potential career fields together with new friends and old.

Here’s how to blend social media with summer camp planning as the seasons change:

WINTER BREAK:Start by reaching out to a Tips on Trips and Camps Advisor to discuss your teen’s interests and your goals for their summer. We’ll help you create a personalized, carefully curated list of summer options that suit both their passions and your family’s needs. Encourage your teen to check out social media– Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok–for a sneak peek into camp life. They’ll get to see like-minded teens enjoying everything from outdoor adventures to hands-on experiences in potential career fields, all while building lasting friendships. The more they explore, the more they’ll feel empowered to take charge of their summer plans! And don’t forget to compile any questions for your Tips Advisor; we’re here to guide you through every step of the process.

SPRING:Once your teen has made their choice and signed up, it’s time to keep the excitement going! Encourage them to follow their camp on social. This is the perfect way to stay in the loop about pre-program info, traditions, fun facts, and even tips from other participants. Engaging with their future camp community online will help your teen get even more excited for their summer!

SUMMER:Tech-Free time has finally arrived! According to parents, this is one of the best parts about camp! It allows your teen to focus on being present, delving into learning new skills while forming real-life connections and friendships that make camp so special. (Note: Some teen programs may have limited phone time; do check with your Tips Advisor for specific policies.)

FALL:On Spotify, find favorite camp songs that can be belted out and taught to family and friends. Staying connected on social and reliving some of the best moments of summer is the perfect way to wrap up a wonderful and purposeful camp experience!

Wishing all of our families a Healthy & Happy Holiday season! And, Happy camp planning!