An enforceable summer camp phone policy is no simple thing. Summer camps are seen as sanctuaries from screens—places to unplug, reconnect, and live in the moment. But as smartphones become more embedded in daily life, defining a realistic policy is a reality that all camp leaders must face. A new survey of 385 camps provides a detailed look at how camps are currently handling phone use, and where there’s opportunity for better alignment between values and practices.

Why This Survey Happened

The group of thought leaders behind the survey—Dan Weir, Jack Schott, and Travis Allison—weren’t aiming to prescribe one right approach. The motivation behind the survey was simple: there’s a lot of talk in the industry about unplugging, but very little data. They wanted to hold up a mirror to the industry and help camps tell their stories more clearly.

Their core question: how do we balance a phone-free philosophy with the real-world needs of campers, staff, and families?

Phones and Campers: Firm Policies, With Some Flexibility

Among the most consistent findings: 92% of camps have a formal summer camp phone policy for campers. Unsurprisingly, overnight camps are more likely to strictly enforce no-phone rules, while day camps face more daily friction from parents and kids.

Banned devices included:

Smartphones (across the board)
Tablets and laptops
Handheld gaming systems

But the survey revealed a range of exceptions. Some camps allow phones for:

Medical needs (like glucose tracking)
Religious prep (bar/bat mitzvah studies)
Limited media use (e.g., as MP3 players or FM radios without Wi-Fi)

Smartwatches drew mixed responses, especially at day camps, where campers return home daily and enforcement can be more difficult.

How Camps Communicate a Summer Camp Phone Policy

Most camps are proactive about communicating their phone policy. The most common channels are:

Parent handbooks
Websites
Emails

Some camps also hold in-person sessions or orientation events. But the level of detail—and the tone—varies widely. Some camps lean heavily on their “unplugged” branding; others treat the policy as a quiet operational detail. The challenge is that some families want their kids unplugged—but don’t want to be unplugged from their kids. That creates pressure for updates, photos, and contact—undermining the very policy they agreed to.

Staff Phone Use: Clearer Policies, But Less Consistency

This is where things get really interesting. While almost all camps have rules for campers, staff phone use is much murkier.

59% of camps allow staff to use phones for music or communication, as long as they’re not in front of campers.
23% require staff to check in or store phones while on duty.
Privately owned day camps tend to have the strictest rules—some will fire staff for phone use during camp hours.

Privately owned day camps are the only places he regularly sees that level of enforcement. Dan added that only two of the 50 camps he visited in the past two summers asked him to put his phone away, which says a lot about how policies are enforced (or not).

This inconsistency creates tension. Families may assume staff are also unplugged—but the reality often doesn’t match that expectation.

Rethinking a Summer Camp Phone Policy for Staff

The survey uncovered a surprising figure: 41% of camps are considering training staff to manage digital detox or phone separation anxiety, but only 30% currently offer anything formal.

Jack described this as a skill issue, not a belief issue. Most staff want to be on their phones less. But the idea of leaving the group chat, missing a friend’s update, or losing touch with college peers can feel overwhelming. The transition from hyper-connected to unplugged isn’t intuitive—it needs scaffolding.

The group brainstormed possible solutions:

“Bricked” phones that only allow specific apps like music or emergency contacts.
Pre-camp programs that walk staff through gradual detox (like a Couch-to-5K for phone use).
Templates for setting boundaries with friends and family before camp starts.

Staff Enforcement: Between Trust and Tools

Another major finding: 52% of camps expect limited staff phone use during the day but don’t formally collect devices. Only 7% require staff to check in phones, and 8% have no limits at all.

In the “other” category, responses varied:

Bluetooth speakers
Microsoft Teams communication
Phones allowed in designated locations only
Volunteers over 21 managing their own use

The spectrum is wide. But what’s clear is that most camps are trying to thread a needle—acknowledging phones are essential for music, communication, or emergencies, but also recognizing their potential to distract or detract from camper experience.

Why the Hardest Part Is Parents

Dan highlighted another important dynamic: parents often expect staff to model perfect unplugged behavior, even when they themselves are not modeling that at home. This double standard creates pressure on directors to enforce policies that may not be feasible or fair.

Plus, with many parents now experiencing anxiety about being apart from their kids, even for a few hours, the push to stay connected grows stronger. That puts staff in the awkward position of enforcing a rule they themselves can’t fully follow—or aren’t trained to manage.

Summer Camp Phone Policy: Takeaways and Next Steps

What does all of this mean for creating a summer camp phone policy? Here are a few big-picture takeaways:

Strict policies aren’t inherently better—but clear ones are. Camps that communicate and enforce their phone policy confidently tend to report fewer issues, regardless of whether the rules are flexible or firm.
Staff training is a major opportunity. If 41% of camps are considering detox support, there’s a clear need for tools, templates, and guides.
Support matters more than surveillance. Most staff want to unplug, but they need help navigating the social and emotional logistics of it. That’s where camps can step in.
Phone policy at summer camps should be a story, not just a rule. As Jack said, camps need to do a better job of storytelling—not just saying “we’re unplugged,” but explaining why, how, and what that means for everyone involved.

A Culture of Confidence

There’s no perfect summer camp phone policy. But there is a growing understanding that camps need to be more intentional—not just reactive. Whether your camp fully bans phones or finds creative compromises, the key is aligning your policy with your values and having the confidence to communicate that clearly.

Camps that lead with confidence, consistency, and clarity are more likely to build a culture that supports device disconnection and deeper interpersonal connection.