Romimu Goes Electronics Free!

Dear Parents and Campers,

I hope all is well and that you are having a wonderful year!

Camp is a wonderful place where campers grow and flourish. Deep and enduring lifelong friendships are made. People have frequently told me that their best friends are the friends that they made at camp. Boys find new skills that they develop; their successes are highlighted. People are always telling me how much camp impacted their lives and how they gained confidence in camp. Most of all what makes camp special is the camaraderie – everyone playing together, learning together, davening together and enjoying each other’s company.

Electronic games and electronic devices are the antithesis of what we are trying to accomplish in camp. In the last year or so, we have all seen many, many articles bemoaning the negative impact that smartphones have had on our social interactions and ability to focus. They have had a very negative impact on many relationships. Similarly, we have witnessed in camp that electronic devices significantly distract boys from having the full camp experience. In fact, many boys who are sensitive to this request not to be in a “DS bunk.”

We are proud to announce that Romimu is going ELECTRONICS FREE. Based on feedback from both staff and campers, we have decided that no electronic devices of any type will be permitted in camp. Campers may not bring a: Tablet, laptop, iPod Touch, MP3 or any device which has games, has Wi-Fi or has the capability of watching videos of any length (even if the Wi-Fi is disabled).

All electronic games will not be permitted in camp. This applies whether the game has Wi-Fi or not. This includes: DS, Wii, Switch, 3DS, Xbox, PlayStation, Super NES, and any other game platform or device not listed.

An MP3 player that just plays music and has no other video or Wi-Fi capability is permitted. They can be purchased online for $25 or less.

Please do not send your son with any electronic device. It will be confiscated. We do not take responsibility if the device is lost after it is confiscated.

As always, no cell phones of any type (including watch phones) are permitted in camp. Boys in Camp Rom V’Nisah are permitted to bring very specific simple phones only. We will be sending a separate letter about Camp Rom V’Nisah cell phones later.

Please call me if you would like to discuss. We are looking forward to spending an amazing electronics-free summer with you soon!

Sincerely,

Rabbi Shlomo Pfeiffer

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25 Comments on “Romimu Goes Electronics Free!”

  1. Thank you!!! I am so excited to be sending my boys to an electronics free camp. Thank you for taking this bold and courageous stand to protect the neshomas of our boys.

  2. What a great idea! Finally there is a camp that understands the harmful impact electronics have on children. Hopefully other camps will finally catch on to this, and realize what a terrible idea it is to let your children stay “glued” to their games. Yasher Koach!

  3. Fantastic Idea! We keep strict limits on electronic entertainment at home.

    Thank you so much for this new policy! To quote the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, it is a “giant leap for mankind.” Electronic games seem so modern, but in many ways they make children less sophisticated, and less able to acclimate to the world around them. Electronic games rob children of true “down time,” and prevent them from using their imagination. The boys can go outside and play games or sports when they have free time at camp. They can read, or actually chat face-to-face. This is the kind of relaxation that refuels children, helps them develops social skills, and enhances the sense of community, wherever they are. Yasher Koach!

  4. Fabulous!! So happy with this camp decision to take away DS’s. Boys will benefit greatly from this. thank you!!

  5. This is one of the greatest emails a parent can get. So many other organizations cave to the children’s demands and Camp Romimu did not and for that I can’t say thank you enough times. Hopefully the other places will follow this beautiful direction
    Thank you again for such amazing news and for setting such a great example
    Humbled grateful and thankful

  6. Thank you Camp Romimu for always looking for new ways to enhance the summer camp experience! The use of technology may be an inevitability but at least for a fortnight or two (groan) we’ll know that our kids are unplugging from the e-world and plugging in to the actual world around them.

  7. Wow!! Finally a camp that understands the value of of being “electictronics free”!!! This is amazing!! How much more achdus and fun the kids will have now!!! Ty!!! ????????

  8. I didn’t think I could love romimu anymore but amazingly it is possible. Yasher koach on taking this important and amazing step! Looking forward to even more fantastic summers ahead.

  9. Yasher Koach!! This is a fantastic idea. The boys will have a much healthier and more enjoyable summer.

  10. Wow!!

    What an incredible thing! We are so appreciative of this amazing launch of an electronic free summer!

    Thank you for promoting this! Wishing you continued hatzlacha in the chinch of our son and all the boys at camp romimu!

  11. Thank you Rabbi Pfeiffer !! We are very excited with this announcement. Even my boys have mentioned in the past that they felt it took away from their camp experience, as often many of their bunkmates spent so much time on their electronics.
    Big step – much appreciated. Thank you.

  12. Thank you, thank you!!! I applaud the camp for making this bold move- it’s so necessary and my son and many others have complained that the majority of his bunk in previous summers were on their DS’s any spare moment and it ruined the atmosphere.

    Thank you again for all your hard work!! We are looking forward to another great summer at Rominu:)

  13. So happy with this decision! Now the boys that do not have electronic devises will not feel bad. Back to the good old days of ghost stories and cards at night!!!

  14. I am so happy !! Tysm!! My kids have no devices but it aggravates the fact that we don’t allow it wen they get to Camp and kids r busy with them there. Yasher koach fot this bold step. Good shabbos. Abie and Ronit Gutnicki

  15. Thank you for your new policy. I am thrilled with it. My son made many comments after camp about how many boys brought a DS with them and that he could only watch them since we did not allow him to bring this type of thing to camp. I think he will be very happy when I tell him about your new policy. This will allow the boys more time to play the “old fashioned” way.

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