Prairie Loft hosting 2nd annual 'Digital Detox' day this weekend

HASTINGS, Neb. – Need a break from all of the screens in your life this weekend? If so, a Hastings non-profit is inviting everyone to attend several outdoor activities for a screen time break. 

The Prairie Loft Outdoor Education Center is hosting its 2nd annual 'Digital Detox Day' on Saturday in conjunction with the Hastings Public Library. 

The event aims to encourage people to ditch their phones, computers, and TVs for a day to enjoy what nature has to offer. 

According to a CDC study, kids ages 8-14 average around 6-9 hours in front of a screen daily. 

That's one of the main reasons organizers wanted to put on this event.

"We're often interacting with the world down like this. So it'll create that opportunity to set the phones down, look up, and look at one another, and just realize what a beautiful community we have," said Prairie Loft Executive Director Megan Arrington-Williams.

Digital Detox Day will feature a walkathon and/or Bike Ride starting at 9 a.m. to kick off the day. 

Other activities include outdoor games, the Hastings Public Library Book Mobile, nature-based family activities, live music, yoga, and wine and grazing boards. 

Pre-registration is required for the walk and bike road on the Prairie Loft website.

"The invitation is to literally set the phone down, we can have a check-in station here if folks need it, or we say leave it in your car," said Arrington-Williams. "We're looking forward to a fun day that disconnects folks so that they're able to reconnect with one another in the real world. 

All activities are free to participate in for all ages, but a freewill donation is encouraged to support the non-profit. 

Find a full schedule and list of activities on the Prairie Loft website.