Why We Unplug

The Gift of Letting Go and The Journey to Independence

We are living in an era of constant connectivity, and for many parents, the notion of stepping back can be very difficult. It might feel like an irresponsible thing to do and can even be anxiety-inducing. Worrisome questions may fill your head. Will they make good decisions? Will they be okay if they're struggling? What if they need me?

These concerns are natural and reflect your deep love for your child. But, every time your child works through a challenge independently, they're building the confidence that will serve them throughout their lives. When they successfully navigate a disagreement with a floormate, organize their daily schedule, or push through homesickness, they're developing critical life skills that no amount of parent-directed problem-solving can provide.

The fact that parents are not there to coach their children through challenges does not mean students at EXPLO are left on their own. In fact, their independence is carefully supported and nurtured. Our experienced faculty and staff are always available to help, but they're trained to guide rather than solve—encouraging students to find their own solutions while ensuring their safety and well-being.

This temporary separation between parent and child creates space for tremendous growth. Without the ability to immediately text or call home, students learn to:

• Trust their own judgment
• Develop a network of supportive relationships beyond family
• Experience the satisfaction of solving problems independently
• Build genuine confidence based on real accomplishments
• Create their own coping strategies for managing challenges

Reducing Homesickness

While it might seem counterintuitive, our experience also shows that limited connectivity with home actually reduces homesickness. When students aren't tethered to updates from home, they're more likely to fully embrace their EXPLO experience. Their work while at EXPLO includes developing a new temporary home where they feel safe and secure. A key to settling into this home is learning to trust and appreciate the people in this new community and seeing and taking advantage of the rich opportunities of this new place. Constant reminders of home can actually slow this process.

Personal Growth and Authentic Self-Expression

Without the pressure to maintain a digital persona or worry about being recorded, students feel free to be themselves at EXPLO. They can try new activities, experiment with different aspects of their personality, and be more vulnerable in their relationships. They stop valuing their friendships and interactions based on artificial metrics of instant validation, such as “likes,” GIFs, emojis, and text reply times. This environment of acceptance and authenticity helps them develop genuine empathy for others, develop insights about themselves, and often uncover new talents.

And there is power in nature itself. There is now ample neuroscience evidence showing that even small amounts of time in nature — crucially, without one’s phone as a distraction — is correlated with lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as with self-reported levels of happiness. And the Wellesley campus has no shortage of beautiful natural settings, from wooded paths, to EXPLO’s dedicated recreation and lounge areas on the shores of Lake Waban.

Building Lifelong Skills

The communication and social skills developed during these technology-free weeks have lasting benefits. Students learn to:

• Navigate interpersonal challenges through direct conversation
• Better read facial expressions and body language
• Express themselves clearly and listen actively
• Develop patience and appreciation for shared experiences
• Build a supportive network beyond their immediate family

We’re Not Anti-technology – We’re Pro-Connection!

Remember, at EXPLO we're not anti-technology—we're pro-connection! By creating this intentional break from the digital world, we're giving your children the space to develop essential life skills, forge meaningful friendships, and build the confidence they'll need to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

The memories and connections made during these unplugged weeks often become some of the most treasured experiences of our students’ lives. We look forward to helping your child discover the joy of being fully present in our community and providing you the opportunity to practice letting go.

Note: For students who fly to the program, most come with smartphones. Upon arriving on campus, we make sure that students connect with home and then afterward turn in their phones. We hold onto phones for all students until the last day of the program. On the last day phones are returned so that students can get contact information from new friends and take photos. We have phones available in the residence halls that students may use to call home after the first week of the program. Should we have concerns about your child settling into the program or other issues, we will contact you. Parents are also encouraged to call our Office of Student Life with any concerns throughout the summer.