Back to School, Back to Connection: Spotlight on Wilton, Connecticut
Vanessa Elias of Thrive with a Guide and her Passion Project - Block Party USA.
As families gear up for another school year, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on one of our favorite Unplugged Villages on the East Coast—Wilton, Connecticut! Known for its charming villages and iconic lighthouses, Connecticut is not just a picturesque state, but it’s also home to a town leading the charge in digital wellness.
Wilton’s community spirit shines brightly as one of the three cities featured in the documentary Chasing Childhood, a film that explores the effects of overprotective parenting and the diminishing opportunities for free play in children's lives. Inspired by the documentary's message—championed by Lenore Skenazy, co-founder of the Let Grow movement—Wilton is embracing the unplugged movement, urging parents to “step back, so kids can step up.” This shift aligns with the growing interest in digital detox, spurred by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation. If you haven’t already, Haidt’s book offers eye-opening insights into the impact of technology on our kids—definitely worth a read!
Presentation resource table with results from Amplified Student Voices Survey implemented by Wilton Youth Council.
At the heart of Wilton’s unplugged initiative is Vanessa Elias, a Certified Parent Coach and Mental Health Activist. Vanessa, along with Chandra Ring, Executive Director of the Wilton Youth Council, has been a powerhouse in building their Unplugged Village. Together, they’ve rallied over a dozen local organizations, including the library, schools, and faith-based groups, to host digital wellness events throughout the year. Student perspectives were gathered and shared via an Amplified Student Voices survey and collective efforts have even led the local schools to ban cell phones for students from K-12 starting this fall, using Yondr bags to keep distractions at bay. We can’t wait to see how this rolls out!
To extend the unplugging movement into the heart of the community, Camille Carriero from the Wilton Chamber of Commerce, introduced a weekly scavenger hunt at the local Farmers Market. Each Wednesday, families are invited to search for clues and track down Reese Rooster, who hides in a different vendor booth each week. This fun activity not only encourages kids to explore, families to unplug and connect, but also supports small businesses and promotes healthy eating habits. Discover how you can bring this activity, and other unplugged initiatives to your community, with our help HERE.
Vanessa’s Block Party USA is another exciting project, bringing neighbors together for a fun and engaging way to reconnect. It’s a chance for families to socialize, kids to play, and teens to network. Between now and September 30, there’s a nationwide challenge to see which state can host the most block parties. Let’s get those neighborhoods buzzing!
Vendors and families love the Reese Rooster Scavenger Hunt, hosted by the Wilton Chamber of Commerce and held weekly at the Wilton Farmers Market
Save the Date! The next GDU will be March 7-8, 2025. Start planning now!
Gather your Village together and start exploring ideas to make a fantastic celebration for your school, work team or community. Check out our 200+ ideas list to get the wheels turning and please share your ideas with us as well so we can spread the inspiration far and wide!
We’d like to give a great big shoutout to Sticker Mule for their awesome stickers, pins, custom t-shirts, and coasters! If you’re a new or renewing Unplugged Village, you’ll get a custom digital decal, up to 225 SmartPhone Nap-Sacks, and some unplugging goodies to jump start your journey. Plus, enjoy 10 of our newly redesigned stickers perfect for tumblers, windows, and anywhere you want to show off your unplugging passion. Check out Sticker Mule to create your own custom city version (see left) for all your sticker needs and more!
