Tech camps for kids: Get the right fit

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Lauren Polk, now a speech pathology major at Texas Southern University and a lead daytime counselor for the BHSSC, University of Houston branch, attended the same camp before her eighth grade year.

"The camp taught me that it doesn't matter who you are when it comes to science," Polk said. "I didn't associate a camp like that with someone like me because most people think that it's for a smarter group of kids...It wasn't a gender thing at all, but most of the kids that went to camp were in honors courses. I was not in an honors program. When I got there it opened me up a whole lot," she said.

Camps that offer middle and high school students a place to learn that being smart is OK, not only validates them, but teaches them the real-world lesson about smart people in our society, according to Temple University's Hirsh-Pasek.

"It tells them, 'How cool. You know in the future what we call a nerd? Boss,'" she said.

Sheets said that because many of the tech camps are based on college campuses, they also serve as a good platform for older kids who are looking ahead toward college.

Others think that specialty camps can help, not just middle school and high school students, but children of all ages excel in school.

"It tells (kids), 'How cool. You know in the future what we call a nerd? Boss,'"

--Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, psychology professor, Temple University

Cybercamps by GiantCampus, for campers ages 7 to 18, was the subject of an independent research study by doctoral candidate Michelle O'Brien-Palmer, who compared Cybercamps' curriculum to a control group within a school setting.

She found that the Cybercamps kids scored up to 90 percent higher on their standardized tests than the kids who did not attend Cybercamps.

"Parents appreciate that the kids are going to have fun, and it's summer camp, but academically, they are being better prepared when they come from Cybercamps, and that's a (worthy) investment in them," said David Kinard, director of marketing for Cybercamps.

Cybercamps is broken into four key areas. One of the camps, Livewire, includes a stay and a behind-the-scenes look at Disney World.

The residential or day camp programs, which can range from $700 to $1,000 per week, provide everything from digital still and film cameras and computers, to hosted server space so kids can continue to work on their creations from the Web throughout the year with a log-in and password.

"People take a week in Web design, a week of Flash animation and then a week of something else. By the end of the three weeks, the kids could have a Web site with a video game and Flash animation that they built," Kinard said.

Robotics classes include Lego Mindstorms and Vex, using different programming languages. Students taking game design and game "modding" (taking existing games and customizing them) use Torque Game Engine, Macromedia Flash and Multimedia Fusion. Some camps have a special-effects class in which kids get to use a green screen to put themselves in a Star Wars film with a light saber. Other courses are offered in video production, Web design and 3D modeling.

Cybercamps has about 50 public camps on campuses around the U.S., including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Duke University and Stanford University, and about 18 private camps contracted for children of people from Fortune 500 companies, the military or school districts.

"It's not just everyone sitting in front of the computer until the wee hours of the morning by themselves," Kinard said. "We are getting them out of their bedrooms and basement and getting them to play in a social environment, which is a huge plus."

While Hirsch-Pasek likes the idea of this kind of camp for older kids, she's not sure of its benefit to the average 7-year-old.

"Children, if they get to middle and high school and have something they're really proud of and a skill set that they know is a little different, then fostering that is great. But for the little guys, I'm still a generalist," she said.

While many of these high-tech camps fill up in February through April, there are still spaces available at some of them, according to Sheets and camp leaders. The ACA offers a Web site where parents can get a list of accredited summer camps by typing in their area.

[MSSlayer]

A good balance is needed

A camp with both tech and physical fitness, along with other activities is important. A camp that has the kids behind the computer all day is near worthless and counter-productive.

Also, leaning towards toys like Flash is OK to attract kids and encourage their creativity, but more serious computer science centric basics should be stressed as well.

[bluemist9999]

I agree

It's definitely a good thing to exercise the mind as well as the body. The traditional, activities-only camps work the body but not really the mind. It sounds like these tech camps do the opposite.

Really, it needs to be a well-rounded set of activities because neither the mind nor the body works well when the other is neglected.

[Julia00116]

Julia00116

Interesting, this is cool, nearly made my day. :)

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[shoffmueller]

Nerd Camp

I'm horrified that kids are going to summer camp to learn java. In
the future, nerds aren't called boss - they're called single.

[MSSlayer]

yeah right

Learning a programming language during the summer will permanently bar someone from getting married.

[KieferL]

Giant Campus' summer camps give kids the essential 21st century skills needed for success in today's tech-driven, global marketplace. While we're teaching kids how to program a computer, build a robot or design a Web site, we're also encouraging them to think critically, work collaboratively and communicate effectively - igniting their potential and building character.

Cybercamps Academy (ages 10-17) - Held on 50+ college campuses nationwide, this team-building, problem-solving learning environment using research-proven curriculum infuses technology training with fun, physical activities. Use this promo code to earn a discount when you register: (kieferlobb)

Livewire (ages 14-18) - This epic week at the Walt Disney World® Resort is a dynamic mix of VIP access, hands-on learning and full-throttle fun. Use this promo code to earn a discount when you register: (kiefercash)

Cybercamps (ages 6-11) - Select Pump It Up locations host an introduction to the world of technology, exercising kids' minds and bodies. Use this promo code to earn a discount when you register: (kiefercash)