10 Years of National Day of Unplugging! What's in Store?
As we gear up for the 10th anniversary of the National Day of Unplugging in 2019, we wanted to look back at where this journey has taken us. Just last year, we had over 950 groups participate with 65,000 people unplugging world wide. We’ve taken the last few months to recharge and are approaching the 2019 NDU with fresh energy and new lessons learned — and we can’t wait for you to join us this year.
Starting in 2010, the NDU was born out of Reboot’s Sabbath Manifesto project. 10 Principles were crafted following a discussion about what makes a weekly day of rest relevant and whether it was an inherently Jewish observance. The principles ranged from “connecting with loved ones” and “finding silence,” to “getting outside” and “nurturing your health.” The National Day of Unplugging was conceived from the principle of “avoiding technology.” While the NDU was born from a particularly Jewish conversation, the values and impact have proven to have a universal appeal.
This year’s National Day of Unplugging is taking place from Sundown to Sundown on March 1-2, 2019. You can sign up with your community today or take the pledge to unplug as an individual.
Over the last nine years, Reboot has worked to create meaningful tools to enhance and program an unplugging experience for organizations and communities around the world. Nearly 2,000 unplugging events have taken place in those nine years, with more than 175,000 people participating in them. The NDU has reached from yoga sessions and picnics, to corporate wellness events and arts festivals. Even Richard Branson of Virgin got in on the action last year! We’ve been able to scale the project in a way that allows communities and program hosts to create experiences which are authentic to, and reflective of, their own identities and beliefs. We believe in creating tools - not rules - for how to unplug with others, Our nationwide partners have taken the lead in creating unique and meaningful unplugging events in all types of environments.
This year, as in the past, we are offering DIY toolkits and resources for any organization that wants to participate. Specific toolkits cater to teachers and families, businesses and general partners. Each is full with helpful tips and includes digital files of conversation cards, discussion guides and lesson plans. Looking for a deep dive in text? We have a source sheet that’s perfect for you. Thinking about a group activity on a college campus? We have all your bases covered.
Whether you’re a Hillel professional or a program director at a parks department, you will find tools that work for you.
Last year we shared over 30,000 of our signature Cell Phone Sleeping Bags with our partners - they are available again this year. If interested, you can contact partners@rebooter.net. They are an amazing intention setting tool to use during programs and the perfect take-away for your community to encourage an ongoing unplugging practice.
If you want to join the action individually, download our “I Unplug To ____” Posters and share why you unplug on social media with the hashtag #NationalDayOfUnplugging - just don’t spend too much time online afterwards!
Whether you’re an organization looking to host a program, or an individual looking to disconnect, we hope you join us for this year’s National Day of Unplugging on March 1st!