Adults swap phones for nature at Styrian holiday camp

Adults are spending a weekend without their mobile phones at the Hirzmann reservoir in Edelschrott, in the Voitsberg district, in what organisers describe as Austria’s first holiday camp for adults. ORF reported that the camp recreates the experience of traditional summer camps, including a digital detox.

A group of 13 is taking part in the weekend organised by Julia Pirkenau and Nicole Mösel. The participants are camping in the outdoors, meeting new people and leaving their phones behind.

“I realised, partly through my own training as an outdoor instructor, that being outside is incredibly valuable,” Pirkenau said. While there are many such programmes for children, she said, there are far fewer for adults. The camp is intended to show how enjoyable it can be to live with very little, she added.

The organisers have deliberately planned no fixed programme. Activities may include stand-up paddling, spending time in the forest, meditation, mindfulness exercises, a night hike and stargazing.

One participant said the aim was to get used to putting the phone away more often. With work already stressful enough, he said, being without a phone at least for the weekend was worthwhile.