The Great (dis)CONNECT

Brown County Rising is a volunteer group working to promote community well-being. From May 5-11, 2025,
we are celebrating The Great (dis)Connect. We invite our entire community to reduce their time with
devices and screens and rediscover the world beyond them. For one week, we’re encouraging people to embrace a different kind of connection—not one that pings, scrolls, or buzzes, but one that unfolds in real time, in real places, with real experiences. Many of us find ourselves spending way too much time in front of screens. We continue to learn about the widespread use of digital devices and the mental health impacts of excessive screen use. Planning an event during the week of May 5-11 is a great way to take action and help all of us reflect on our relationship with technology. As a local business, faith group, agency, or organization, you can make a valuable contribution to this effort. The Great (dis)Connect isn’t about rules or restrictions, it’s an invitation. An invitation to try something different, to look up, to slow down, to connect to others, to play, and to experience Brown County in a new light. Please consider hosting an event for The Great (dis)connect.

Ways to Participate:
• Host a screen-free experience – a workshop, a game night, a guided walk, a read aloud, a moment
of reflection, a conversation, a fun activity, or just an opportunity to enjoy your space.
• Partner with others to create an event that encourages curiosity, exploration and connection.
• Brand an already planned event or regularly occurring activity as being part of the Great
(dis)CONNECT.
• Offer a special incentive for those who participate in your Great (dis)Connect event.
• Share the message and inspire people in the community to take part—post information and event
listings.

We’re building a community-wide calendar of events and would love to include you! Let’s make The Brown County Great (dis)Connect a signature event that sparks curiosity, imagination, and a fresh way of experiencing the world around us. To register your event, please complete this form or scan this QR code by April 21. We are happy to brainstorm ways that you and your organizations/businesses might be involved. Let’s create something special together.
Pause, Play, Participate
May 5th-11th
Visit screenfree.org to see the global
movement that inspired us
Event and Activity Ideas
Parks/Recreation Groups
• Have a community picnic
• Host a nature walk or scavenger hunt
• Offer free swimming day
• Offer free/reduced guest admission day(s)
• Post a flyer of other Great (dis)CONNECT community events
Library
• Community book read
• Display books that encourage in person connection (screen-free, hobby interests, etc)
• Hosting a family board game night
• Post flyer of other Great (dis)CONNECT community events
Faith Based Organizations
• Host a screen-free community meal/potluck
• Challenging youth group to put away their phones/devices for 1-2 hours.
• Mom’s Sunday Supper on Mother’s Day
• Host a service project (cleaning up the grounds, offering help to elders, serving at Mother’s Cupboard)
• Post flyer of other Great (dis)CONNECT community events
Eateries/Businesses/Retail
• Put up table tents with conversation starters
• Offer a special (discount dessert or item, discount for mentioning The Great (dis)CONNECT
• Set out games/coloring sheets and have the waitstaff mention alternatives to screens
• Host an event encouraging connection (craft, education, game night, etc.)
• Post flyer of other Great (dis)CONNECT community events
Schools
• Make a pledge card for increased in person connections, etc. and post them in a visual spot in the school
• Bulletin boards on screen alternatives and have kids put up ideas
• Give teachers a question or two to foster communication with their peers around struggles with screen time
• Offer a daily suggestion on the announcements of things youth could do instead of using technology
• Make indoor recess screen-free
Arts and Entertainment
• Host a craft/music learning or engagement event
• Host a garden work session or garden walk
• Market an existing gallery event as a Great (dis)Connect Event
• Post a flyer of other Great (dis)CONNECT community events
Civic Organizations/ Small
Groups
• Host a community service project
• Encourage members to participate in the local activities
• Host a connection-based event
• Backpacks- put info/flyer into the backpacks 2 weeks prior and a small kit the weekend befor