a whole new world

my daughter is going to "sleep away" camp this summer - how fun! i loved camp as a kid - canoeing, riflery, archery, kayaking, fire building, boy chasing - i did it all. it was glorious. i just got her detailed information on what to pack, et al, and there was a section of 'what not to bring'. bear in mind, these are 9 & 10 year old kids. this list included, but was not limited to, electronic gaming devices, cell phones & ipods. does no one else think this is a crazy statement of our world? i mean, when i was 10, luxury was a bmx bike and a saturday with the sun shining and nothing to do but ride around. maybe it's just me, but i don't think my girls need to be "plugged in" to get the most out of their childhood. i mean, technology is useful and entertaining, and i have nothing against it, don't get me wrong. i love my mp3 player and my laptop. but i would rather plug my girls into the backyard or a pile of construction paper & scissors than a gameboy or an ipod. maybe that makes me Old School. and you know what? i am ok with that. because today they are on the porch, trying to make a birds nest out of mud and twigs, and i just heard Kyra say, "wow - you can do a lot without using anything manmade!" i love that.