Warren Coalition Encourages Community to Unplug for a Day

This weekend, Warren County residents are being encouraged to take a break from their screens and reconnect with the world around them as part of the Global Day of Unplugging. The Warren Coalition, along with several local organizations, is hosting a variety of activities designed to help people step away from their devices, even if only for a few hours.

To kick things off, on Friday at 6 p.m., local police, fire departments, and the sheriff’s office will sound their sirens as a symbolic reminder to put the phones away. But as Celeste Brooks, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Warren Coalition, playfully warned, “Don’t check your phone to figure out why the sirens are going off!”

The event, now in its second year, has gained significant momentum. Last year, the Warren Coalition caught the attention of the national Unplug Collaborative, which has since helped the local effort grow. This year, Warren County has officially been designated an “Unplugged Village”, joining a global initiative to help people develop healthier relationships with technology.

A Friday Night for the Youth

Much of Friday night’s programming will focus on giving kids and teens an exciting alternative to screen time. The Youth Unplugged Party (YUP), taking place at 15th Street Gym and Diversified Minds, is a community-wide effort to provide fun, hands-on activities.

Teens and middle schoolers will have plenty to do, including a three-on-three volleyball tournament, cornhole, yard games, and even a crochet workshop. Meanwhile, younger children (ages 4-11) can enjoy a separate event featuring bingo, arts and crafts, and a unique game called “The Quiet Game”—which, ironically, involves quite a bit of noise and laughter as players try to avoid being tagged while wearing rubber chickens on their feet.

Throughout the evening, free pizza will be available (while supplies last), and attendees will receive special knapsacks to store their phones. Once the sirens sound at 6 p.m., participants will be encouraged to put their devices away and enjoy the night’s festivities.

Recognizing that parents also struggle with screen time management, the coalition is hosting a special parenting session at 6:15 p.m. in Diversified Minds’ classroom. Led by licensed professional counselor Stacey Philpot, the session will offer advice on helping kids—and adults—develop a healthier balance with technology. Parents who attend will be entered into a drawing for door prizes, including gift cards to local businesses and a copy of Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation, which explores the impact of social media and screen addiction on today’s youth.

After the main event wraps up at 10 p.m., Royal Family Bowling Center will host a special hyper bowling event to continue the unplugged fun.

Saturday: A Full Day of Screen-Free Fun

On Saturday, families and individuals will have plenty of opportunities to continue their unplugged experience. Those who want to start their day outdoors can participate in a scavenger hunt at the Northern Virginia 4-H Center, which also provides access to the Appalachian Trail. Shenandoah River State Park will also be open for hiking, and they have donated free day passes as prizes.

For those who prefer in-town activities, downtown businesses are stepping up with unplugged-friendly specials:

• Play Favorites will shut down its arcade for the day, offering free skeeball, air hockey, board games, and sidewalk chalk fun instead. They’ll also provide 10% off all purchases.
• Explore Art & Clay will offer 20% off paint-your-own wood and clay projects—perfect for a screen-free creative outlet.
• C&C Frozen Treats will host storytime sessions throughout the day.
• Down Home Comfort Bakery and Main Street Geek will both offer 10% discounts, with Main Street Geek also giving away free comic books.
• Habitat for Humanity will set up family-friendly backyard games at the downtown gazebo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring a giant six-foot ball for oversized fun.

Meanwhile, Samuels Public Library is running a variety of unplugged activities, including arts and crafts projects centered around paper—one of the simplest, yet most effective, screen-free entertainment options.

For families looking to extend their screen-free time into the evening, Shenandoah River State Park is hosting a nighttime nature event, exploring salamanders and other wildlife.

A Community-Wide Effort

The unplugging initiative has received overwhelming community support, with sponsorships from local businesses, schools, and organizations. The top cash sponsors were Angels Corner Daycare, Mount Laurel Montessori School, and LDee’s Pancake House. At the same time, local restaurants helped spread the message by placing unplugging-themed table tents at their locations.

Additionally, bingo cards were distributed to elementary and middle school students, encouraging them to complete unplugged activities for a chance to win prizes.

Why Unplug?

The event isn’t about eliminating technology—it’s about raising awareness of how often we rely on screens and making small changes for a healthier balance. Christa Shifflett, Executive Director of the Warren Coalition, emphasized the importance of stepping back, especially for children.

“69% of parents say they’re distracted by their phones when they’re with their kids,” Shifflett said. “We wonder why kids are so attached to their devices, but they’re just modeling what they see.”

Brooks added that the average American checks their phone 205 times a day, often without realizing it. “We don’t even think about it—we reach for our phone constantly. This event is just a chance to notice our habits and see if we can put it down, even for a little while.”

Looking ahead, the Warren Coalition hopes to turn YUP (Youth Unplugged Party) into a quarterly event, giving local kids regular opportunities to step away from their screens and engage in real-world fun.

For now, though, the focus is on this weekend. Whether it’s setting the phone aside during meals, turning off notifications for a few hours, or going completely unplugged for 24 hours, the Warren Coalition encourages everyone to take one small step toward a healthier balance with technology.

“You don’t have to go cold turkey,” Brooks said. “Just try something small—every little bit helps.”

For more details on the event schedule, visit the Warren Coalition’s website or their Facebook page.