FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Breaking the Screen Habit: ODC Network Launches “Unplugged, Disconnect to Reconnect,” a Free Community Series

Holland, MI – ODC Network (ODC) is excited to announce Unplugged: Disconnect to

Reconnect, a four-part speaker series featuring nationally renowned experts who will explore how technology is reshaping our lives and offers practical strategies to restore balance.

“We hope this series will be a call to action for West Michigan,” said Travis Williams, CEO of ODC Network. “We’ve all seen the effects of too much screen time on our kids, our families, and in communities across the country. At ODC, we believe the solution isn’t just about cutting down on screens—it’s about what you replace that time with. The deep community ties and access to natural resources we have in this region position us to be a leader in this space.”

The four-part Unplugged: Disconnect to Reconnect series launches in January 2026 with the following events:

January 14 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM at Ridge Point Community Church with Catherine Price, award-winning science journalist and bestselling author of How to Break Up With Your Phone and The Power of Fun—and co-author (along with Anxious Generation author Jonathan Haidt) of The Amazing Generation, a new book for tweens. Price will provide evidence-backed strategies for creating a healthier screen/life balance and building lives filled with purpose and authentic connection. 

February 12 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM at the Holland Civic Center: Katherine Martinko, the author of Childhood Unplugged and creator of The Analog Family newsletter, will share actionable guidance on digital minimalism, from navigating smartphone decisions to nurturing independence and real-world play.

March 3 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM at West Ottawa High School’s Performing Arts Center: Scott Sampson, paleontologist and host of the Emmy-nominated PBS series Dinosaur Train, will reveal why urban settings must be reimagined as thriving places for both people and nonhuman nature, and how all of us have a role to play in this green revolution.

March 17 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM at Ridge Point Community Church: Lenore Skenazy, co-founder of Let Grow with Jonathan Haidt and author of Free-Range Kids, has been leading the movement to restore childhood independence for 17 years. She’ll deliver a hilarious presentation about how childhood changed and why the “Fourth Norm” in The Anxious Generation is to “open the door.”

All events are free, with optional meet-and-greet opportunities available by donation to ODC. The suggested age range of attendees is 14 and up. Free parking is available.

For event details and registration, visit outdoordiscovery.org/unplugged.

ODC Network (ODC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Holland, Michigan, with a mission to advance outdoor education and conservation throughout West Michigan. Since 2000, ODC has connected more than 1.5 million people to nature through hands-on, outdoor learning experiences designed to serve all ages. ODC is comprised of numerous divisions, including two greenway projects, a watershed cleanup initiative, four nature-based early childhood centers, two nature centers, numerous public nature preserves, an eco-tourism venture, a land conservation and restoration service, and an educational consulting division.

ODC has preserved and actively manages nearly 1,000 acres of natural habitat, which are free and open to the public 365 days a year. Through our diverse programs, properties, and services, we reach hundreds of thousands of children, families, and individuals annually. Our educational work spans early childhood education, K–12 school partnerships, and community engagement programs that inspire lifelong environmental stewardship.

At the heart of our mission is the belief that vibrant communities are built through deep connections between people, land, and nature.

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