The Week of May 6 – May 12 is national Screen-Free Week! Nevada County organizations are celebrating by offering alternatives to screen-based entertainment to help residents young and old dream, connect and play. Screens are part of our lives in many ways, including at work and in school, but unplugging has benefits for both physical and mental health.
“Many of us know the benefits of going screen free, such as improvement in sleep, mental health, focus, relationships, productivity, well-being and even improved eye health,” said Jen Kemppinen, CalFresh Healthy Living Coordinator with Nevada County Public Health. “What I look forward to most about Screen-Free Week is to see the community come together to connect through local events and to enjoy our amazing, local outdoor resources within Nevada County.”
Each day of Screen-Free Week in Nevada County has a range of activities for residents to enjoy, including guided hikes, school-based activities, scavenger hunts, state park passes and more.
Residents can see a full schedule of events on the 2024 Screen-Free Week Calendar.
Some screen-free activities are available all week and every week through the Nevada County Library, including its recreation collection (free outdoor games like badminton to check out), state parks and museum passes, and nature backpacks that include Bear Yuba Land Trust trail maps, guides to our local flora and fauna, and trail tools like binoculars and a microscope!
“Our libraries have so many screen-free activities happening all the time, and we’re excited to highlight them during Screen-Free Week,” said Brittany Blake, Adult Programming Coordinator for the Nevada County Library Grass Valley Royce Branch. “From Storytimes and Stay and Play to book clubs and live music, there’s always something happening at a library near you! And if you haven’t checked out our Recreation Collection yet, this is the perfect opportunity – get outside with some of our yard games or stay in and test out a board game with your friends and family. We’re so lucky to live in a community with all of these wonderful opportunities to go screen-free, and this week is a chance to really see what’s out there.”
Many schools and education partners are joining in the fun by leading screen-free activities.
“During screen free week, swing by the PARTNERS Family Resource Centers for free play or a fun activity,” said Sarah Morgan, Coordinator of Community Schools and Family Resource Centers at Nevada County Superintendent of Schools. “We have a lending library with books for all ages, board games, and ages-and-stages play boxes. What a great way to engage your family without a TV or screen! We look forward to seeing you soon.”
Students at Lyman Gilmore’s After School Program, which has activities planned all week, see the benefits of celebrating Screen-Free Week. Conner Murray, an eighth-grade student said: “Screen-Free Week is a great chance to spend time with your family.” Mali Muniz, also an eighth-grade student, agreed that Screen-Free Week is a great opportunity to connect with peers: “You get to really know everyone, before we head off to high school.”
Organizations supporting 2024 Screen-Free Week include the Nevada County Library, Nevada County Public Health, PARTNERS Family Resource Centers, Bright Futures for Youth including the NEO Youth Center, CalFresh Healthy Living UCCE – Placer and Nevada Counties, and Bear Yuba Land Trust.
“We are so fortunate to be part of a community that so values access to nature and a connection to the land,” said Aleena Church, Community Engagement Manager for Bear Yuba Land Trust, which has a guided hike planned next week to celebrate. “Screen-Free Week is an opportunity to celebrate that connection, joining people together out on our beloved local trails, while creating new pathways to the splendors of our natural world and each other. We’re super excited to get out there and hike with our community!”
For more information about Screen-Free Week activities, including resources for schools and families, Nevada County residents can visit the National Screen-Free Week website.