I had the opportunity to serve as a staff chaperone for the SMCA High School Retreat with our 9th through 12th grade students. One of the most impactful parts of the experience wasn’t a scheduled activity, but the intentional decision for students to be without their phones during the day.

Students only had access to their devices at night, and I’ll be honest, I was a little concerned at first. Our students are used to having their phones in their hands at all times. It’s how they connect, how they engage, and how they pass time. But I was also born in the 1900s, so I come from a time where we didn’t have devices in our hands all day. We had to talk to each other, be present, and engage in real time. So while I had some hesitation, I also understood the value of what this could create.

What we saw over those three days was a clear reminder that there is a time to be plugged in and a time to unplug. During structured activities, students were engaged, but it looked different depending on the format. When they played Kahoot, they were locked in, competitive, and working together. When they played a paper-based emoji game, the engagement wasn’t quite the same. It showed just how accustomed they are to digital interaction.

But the most powerful moments happened outside of the structured activities. At dinner, the room was filled with conversation and laughter. During outdoor time, students were talking, joking, and genuinely enjoying one another. Without their devices to fall back on, they leaned into each other. They engaged. They connected. And it was loud in the best way.

It was a beautiful thing to witness students fully present with one another, not distracted, not disengaged, but actually in the moment. In many ways, it felt unfamiliar for them, but very natural.

There was also a noticeable difference during chapel and small group time. Without the constant pull of notifications or distractions, students were more attentive and more open. They were able to hear, reflect, and engage on a deeper level.

That matters.

Because learning how to be still and present is something that has to be practiced. It creates space not just for connection with others, but for connection with God. This experience showed us that our students are capable of that. They just need the opportunity.

As a staff member, it was also meaningful to be able to engage with them in a different way. Not just overseeing, but connecting, laughing, and building relationships outside of the classroom. Those moments are what last.

For parents, this is a reminder that there is value in creating intentional spaces for students to unplug. Not as a restriction, but as an opportunity for growth, connection, and awareness.

Technology has its place. It is a tool, and it can be used well. But moments like this remind us that stepping away from it, even temporarily, can create space for something deeper.

Last week, we didn’t just remove a distraction.

We created room for connection.

-Mrs. Hunter, Secondary Resource Teacher