Camp Is About Connection, Not Notifications

At Twin Ponds Lodge, we talk a lot about community. In my last blog post, I sang the praises of Wi-Fi and how it helps folks balance work and adventure. But today, I want to talk about a different kind of connection: the one that happens when we disconnect.

The Redefinition of “Friend”

Somewhere along the way, society quietly rewrote the definition of the word friend. Not long ago, a friend was someone who sat at your kitchen table, drank your coffee, and stayed until the conversation was finished—no matter how messy or complicated it got. A friend was the guy at the pub who’d argue politics and religion with you for hours and still buy you the next round. A friend was the person you called when you needed advice, and they showed up at your door.

Now? Facebook says I have over 3,000 friends. And while I’m flattered, let’s be real: most of them don’t know the name of my dog, let alone how I take my coffee.

We scroll. We like. We comment with emojis. But deep down, we all know: we’ve traded something rich and textured for something easy and hollow.

The Rise of Therapy 

Here’s where I need to pause and say: therapy is incredible. I spent over a decade working in mental health, and I will always - always - champion the work of therapists. More people seeking out therapy is a great thing.

But it’s worth noting: once upon a time, many of us had non-professional therapists in our lives. Friends who listened deeply. Family who offered advice (even if you didn’t take it). Neighbors who popped by unannounced with casseroles and strong opinions. Human sounding boards who cost nothing but time and who helped us carry the weight of the world.

And now? We’ve gotten so used to the idea of shallow “friendships” that we sometimes forget how to build deep, meaningful ones.

Why That Matters

This depletion of genuine connection has consequences. It’s part of why we’re so quick to dig trenches on opposite sides of cultural debates. When you’re not invested in real, face-to-face relationships, compromise doesn’t matter. Why hash out a complex issue over beers when losing a friend feels like nothing? Facebook says you’ve got 2,999 more.

But here’s the rub: real change, real understanding, and real community are born out of those conversations we don’t walk away from. Out of the late-night table talks. Out of the shared campfires. Out of time spent with phones away and eyes up.

The Magic of Camp

That’s where camp comes in. At Twin Ponds, we don’t just offer a place to swim, hike, and unwind. We offer a chance to return to an older, truer form of connection. To meet someone new and actually remember their laugh, not just their Instagram handle. To share a meal where no one photographs the plate. To argue, to laugh, to compromise, to connect.

Because here, your 3,000 “friends” don’t matter. The people in front of you do.

TURN IT OFF

So here it is—the part where I stop hinting and just say it: leave your phone in your car, your locker, or your tent.

This is a social club. Be social. Put down the phone. Pick up a pool stick, a beer, or a chair by the fire. Ask someone their story. Listen. Share yours. Build friendships that go deeper than a thumbs-up button.

Because what we need—what we all desperately need—are meaningful, durable, soul-filling connections. The kind of connections that can only happen when we step away from screens and step into each other’s lives.

At Twin Ponds Lodge, the Wi-Fi might help you check your email (which I’m all for). But the people here? They might just help you remember what friendship actually means.

Yours in Community,

Ranger Alli