Fourteen-year-old boys face a tricky gap every June—too old for camp, too young for a job, and just bored enough to default to hours of gaming. Evan Hempe knows the feeling firsthand: he grew up without video games or a smartphone, and in this episode he shares the real list of what filled his summers instead. Funny, candid, and packed with stories from his own backyard, Evan makes the case that a great summer isn't about avoiding screens, it's about going toward something better.

In this episode, Evan covers:

• Why a skill you can never "finish" (music, woodworking, cooking) beats a game that never ends
• How starting a small business at 14 builds confidence adults can't teach
• The difference between consuming and creating and why people respect both
• Why his most vivid memories are from creeks, ballfields, and rained-out camping trips, not screens

Whether you're a parent looking for ideas or a teen wondering what to do with three open months, this episode is the blueprint for a summer worth remembering.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

• Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin