Putting Down Smartphones to Make Eye Contact: Shincheonji Gwacheon Church Hosts "Daddy, Let’s Play!" Family Picnic

In an age dominated by standardized toys and digital screens, a heartwarming scene unfolded at Chomakgol Ecological Park in Gyeonggi Province. On May 23rd, the Gwacheon Church of the John Tribe of Shincheonji successfully hosted "Daddy, Let’s Play!"—a special family picnic designed to strengthen the bonds between fathers and their children through raw, screen-free interaction.

Screen-Free Joy in the Great Outdoors

The event welcomed approximately 30 families, including preschoolers and elementary students, who stepped away from their busy routines to embrace nature. The program was carefully curated to encourage physical touch and teamwork:

  • The Treasure Hunt: Children and fathers navigated forest paths and bushes hand-in-hand, fostering a shared sense of achievement as they uncovered hidden slips of paper.

  • "Catch Daddy!": A high-energy game of tag across a wide lawn that left both fathers and children delightfully out of breath, resting side-by-side on the grass.

  • Water Balloon Splash: The day concluded with children throwing water balloons at their fathers, transforming the park into a zone of pure laughter as clothes got soaked.

Seven-year-old Kim Na-yoon expressed her joy: "Daddy always said he was too tired, but playing and running with him today was so much fun. He felt like Superman to me."

Reclaiming the Calling of Fatherhood

For many participating fathers, the picnic served as a profound turning point to reflect on their parental roles, especially in a society where heavy workloads often leave mothers to handle childcare alone.

Oh Se-jung (38), whose frequent business trips previously kept him at a distance, opened up about his experience: "I think I used to be a strict father who only watched from afar. Today, by locking eyes and physically interacting with my child, I feel like the walls we had built are finally crumbling down."

Another participant, Park Wang-sun (40), highlighted the practical relief the event provided: "Taking young children out on your own is incredibly challenging. Having a structured program and dedicated space provided for us was a massive help in actively participating in childcare. It allowed us to heal as a family and connect with other parents facing similar realities."

Building Memories that Outlast Screens

The philosophy behind the event reflects Shincheonji Gwacheon Church’s commitment to healthy, stable families as the foundation of a thriving society.

An official from the church emphasized the lasting impact of raw connection: "Knowledge may fade over time, but the warmth and laughter shared with a father during childhood remain forever. We designed this event hoping children would learn love and stability through vivid interaction with their fathers, rather than through rigid toys or smartphones."

The representative added, "The busier we get, the more consciously we must protect quality family time. We hope this event allows fathers to rediscover their essential calling and realign the emotional center of their homes."


Source: https://vo.la/h3FDSI4

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