As Eagles spread their wings over the summer, we come to think of social media as a tool to help bring us closer together.

However, some Godwin students choose to take time away from their cell phones – and they claim their relationships are better as a result.

Senior Libbie Betz goes to Camp Greystone over the summer, where she doesn’t have access to technology at all. “It’s hard because I’m so used to being able to just text anyone I want at any time, or look something up really quick, or listen to a certain song, anything like that.”

At camp, Betz participates in sports such as rock climbing and pickleball. She also participates in leadership activities with other seniors, such as organizing games for the younger campers to play.

“I’d say that I found myself being more social and feeling a lot more comfortable putting myself out there at camp. I felt a lot more comfortable introducing myself and putting myself in these types of situations at camp than when I did at home,” said Betz.

Similarly, senior Kiki Spears goes to a 1 week camp sponsored by her Greek church, and other churches along the east coast.

“I learned that my time can be used in a much more fulfilling way than it usually is throughout the summer. Camp really shows me how strong a community can be when they’re not wrapped up in the pressures of technology,” said Spears, “Camp is a good opportunity to meet new people for who they are and not what they appear to be on social media.”

According to Adventist Health, a faith-based non profit organization, social media can be an aggravator for mental health issues such as loneliness, depression, envy, jealousy and dissatisfaction.

It is often observed that students see their peers living out the “perfect summer” while they themselves are at home. This contributes to earlier mentioned mental health deterioration.

“I think everyone should spend a week without their phone because it opens your eyes to how dependent we’ve become on [technology] and how there are so many more important aspects to life,” said Spears.