As the summer holidays approach, Godstone Farm is offering families the chance to switch off from digital devices at their three Big Farm Sleepovers in August.
Smartphone use in young people is a big concern for parents, with some studies suggesting it can impact sleep and mental health, and affect social interactions. The prominent figure in the discussion on phone use, psychologist Jonathan Haidt (author of The Anxious Generation) argues that the decline of free play in childhood and the explosion of smartphone use in the early 2010s are key factors behind a surge in mental illness.
It is proposed that ways to create a healthier balance in childhood should be rooted in encouraging a return to unstructured play and advocating for responsible technology use.
So, to take attention away from screens the farm will have lots of activities available to keep everybody entertained, including animal petting, scavenger hunts, campfire sing-a-longs and fresh egg-collecting in the mornings. The farm’s camping team will be on hand to take photos for the campers, so you will still be able to capture your important family moments.
CEO of Godstone Farm Nicola Henderson says:
“We understand there is a growing movement to put away our phones more regularly and spend quality time together with our loved ones. Surely camping at Godstone Farm is the place to do it? Of course, going phone-free is purely optional: we know it won’t work for everybody, but we have a secure Faraday box where phones and other devices can be stored during the duration of the camping stay.”
Godstone Farm is hosting three Big Sleepovers in August: Friday, 16 to Sunday, 18, Tuesday, 20 to Thursday, 22, and Friday, 23 to Sunday, 25. You will need to bring your own tent (maximum pitch size is an eight-man tent). Tickets can be booked via the Godstone Farm website.
