LAKE ARROWHEAD, Calif. — The glow of a smartphone screen fades against the crisp morning air of Southern California’s mountains. As 2026 begins, many California teenagers are stepping away from endless scrolling to embrace something more hands-on: winter camps. Whether through scouting, faith-based retreats, or sport-specific training, students are swapping “For You” pages for faith, fields, friendship, and first aid.
Sharpening More Than Just Skills
At Hubert Eaton Scout Camp in Lake Arrowhead, the winter soundtrack features the rhythmic chop of axes on wood rather than viral audio clips. For sixth-grader Patrick G., the wilderness offers raw satisfaction through self-reliance.
“It’s a good experience to have, and you get to learn more,” Patrick said. “I learned how to use a knife and axes.”
Scouting culture has evolved with the recent introduction of “family troops” (approved in late 2025), allowing boys and girls to participate together under shared leadership. Patrick noted this change makes winter camping more inclusive and appealing.
“It’ll make people want to go more because more people are going,” he said.
Faith, Fellowship, and the ‘Broom’ Factor
While scouting emphasizes physical skills, others seek spiritual growth at faith-based retreats like Hume SoCal. Weekends blend introspection with high-energy traditions such as broom hockey, a chaotic, ice-bound game using brooms instead of sticks.
“Broom hockey is like hockey but with a broom, and you get shoved and pushed,” seventh-grader Eliora L. said.
For Eliora, chapel sessions provided rare stillness amid the action. “It was very impactful,” she said. “I learned a lot of new things, like being devoted to God takes sacrifice.”
Between activities, campers lingered at the snack shop or Hume Supply Co. coffee spot, replacing digital scrolling with genuine face-to-face conversations.
The Winter Grind: Off-Season, On-Point
The shift also extends to athletics. Sport-specific winter camps help students hone skills during the off-season. Sixth-grader Briella L., a softball player, focused on drills and teamwork.
“We would go in the afternoon,” Briella said. “We would field, and then we would take a break, and then we would go up to bat.”
Beyond improvement, the camps fostered connections. “I thought it would be fun, and it did turn out to be like that,” she said. “I made a lot of friends.”
The Challenges
Even with the excitement, winter camps bring hurdles. Eliora admitted screen withdrawal hit hard.
“Every day we’d all be like ‘Ugh, I want my phone!,’” she said. Another issue: losing track of time without devices.
The Verdict: Building Real-World Resilience
The 2026 winter season highlights a growing preference among SoCal teens: choosing snow and skills over scrolling. These experiences deliver lasting benefits.
“Although winter camp was short, it allowed the scouts to learn meaningful skills, build friendships, and create memories,” said Scout Leader Sherry S.
