In our technology heavy culture, face-to-face interactions are become the exception.  This article (NY Times) articulates how just a couple days away from screens at camp help children connect to each other.

This summer, 10 million children are enjoying time at camp — half at one of the more than 2,400 accredited by the American Camp Association.

Parents spend a lot of time trying to motivate kids. We use chore charts, checklists, reminders and rewards to get them to feed the dog, clean their rooms and complete schoolwork. But these techniques don’t change behavior long-term. Real motivation must come from within.

Kids learn to make decisions at camp. Camp experiences grow confidence and develop good decision making skills — especially when times are tough. He also learns who to accept guidance from, in a world that’s filled with some pretty bad advice on TV, in movies and among some friends.