Rustic Pathways’ cell phone policy uses limited windows: students keep their phones, but they stay put during meals, activities, group discussions, and service projects. Phones come out during set evening times for calls and messages home, and students can use them as a camera throughout.
Teen travel programs generally take one of three approaches, and the right one depends on a program’s philosophy, destination, and age group.
| Approach | How it works |
|---|---|
| Full access | Students manage their own phone use and are responsible for it |
| Limited windows | Phones come out during set times, usually evenings, for calls home and messaging |
| Collected devices | Phones are held by staff to keep the group present and connected to each other |
The point of limited windows is to make sure a kid is looking at the temple and not at it through a screen.
Enrolled families receive a 24/7 emergency number for use during programs and travel days, regardless of a program’s phone policy.