Should Summer Camps Enforce 'No Cellphone' Policies? [POLL]

 By 
Joann Pan
 on 
Should Summer Camps Enforce 'No Cellphone' Policies? [POLL]
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Peg Smith, CEO of the American Camp Association, says most camps prefer teens leave their electronics at home because they're distracting. Teenagers are away from home, for a few months, to learn face-to-face communication skills, acquire leadership qualities and practice team work.

Mashable reader Jack Cummings believes in the "no cellphones" policy at camp. As a summer program leader, he'll be forgoing his technology as well.

"Actually going to Scout camp next week with my old Troop, as a leader," Cummings wrote. "The kids going aren’t allowed phones, and I’m joining in. As connected as kids are, we are leaps and bounds beyond that. Giving up my phone, the internet, and the outside world for a week sounds absolutely wonderful to me. Can’t wait for Sunday."

Erik Endress, another Scout Leader, believes camps shouldn't forbid phones.

"I, too, am a Scout Leader and our troop has this rule of no cell phones. I disagree," Endress wrote. "Locating a lost or missing Scout or getting help in the middle of nowhere will be much easier if we have a phone and GPS."

We received an overwhelming range of responses when we asked our readers -- Are 'No Cellphone' Policies at Summer Camp Acceptable or Archaic? Tell us what you think.

Should summer camps force kids to give up their gadgets?

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