Introduction
Summer camp for kids used to be pretty simple. Pack your flashlight, bug spray, sleeping bag and head off to some wilderness area for a week of crafts, canoeing, and stories by firelight. Today, however, summer camps now cover the spectrum in terms of what they cover, offering something to fit nearly every interest a kid may have. But with the popularity of non-traditional summer programs continuing to increase, it may be difficult to determine which ones are really the best for your child. And when it comes to game technology programs, it's easy to spend a lot on a program. To assist you in making the best choice for your child, here are tips for choosing a game technology camp that will keep kids happy, and provide some bang for your buck.
What type of company runs the summer program?
There are many organizations offering summer computer programs. Some are nonprofits similar to your local Park and Recreation Association, or a family-run business. Because these programs can be expensive, you will want to find one run by a professional company with strong industry relationships and partnerships. Look to see if the company just does camp, or if their content is used outside of the camp program. Earning commercial or government training contracts is a strong indicator of the program quality and company reputation.
How was the curriculum and teaching model developed?
While many computer camps may look alike, one of the biggest differences is how the curriculum was developed, especially in the case of game camps. Finding this out may require you to look under the hood a bit, but doing so ensures you won't be buying a lemon. Particularly, check to see if the curriculum and teaching model are based on actual research. Many summer programs simply teach out of a book, or make up their curriculum "on-the-fly". You'll want to look for a program that uses original content, self-paced projects, or a mentored instructional format.
What is the student to staff ratio?
The American Camp Association recommends one adult staff person for every eight, non-disabled, day-campers. Be sure to look for camps that meet or exceed this ratio and that use professional educators or industry experts as staff. Also check to see how camp staff are trained. One way to judge the commitment of a program to staff development is if they have some type of leadership training program for youth as well. There are a few summer computer camps with this feature. While the campers participating are not counted in the staff ratios, these budding leaders get some practice by leading games or offering peer mentoring and support. These extra programs extend the camp's ability to develop the whole person, not just give someone extra tech skills.
What is the camp's health and safety rating?
The American Camp Association accredits about 25% of the estimated 8,500 day and residential camps today. Accreditation involves meeting or exceeding more than 300 ACA standards in health and safety. Because the safety of your child is paramount, you'll want to find a program that is accredited, or has a posted safety record. This kind of demonstrated commitment to quality should be a major factor in your decision about which camp to send your child.
How current are the camp's courses and programs?
Technology changes at a fast rate. Game camps should reflect the changing nature of technology in their curriculum. But many camps model their programs after one another and the offerings may look the same. Try to find the camp that initiated the innovation and that's where you'll likely find the best program available. Read about the history of the camp to see their track record of new things. If you can't find this information on their web site, then the program is likely staying current by copying others.
What will your child do at camp?
Most general computer camps offer some configuration of course options to choose when registering. Some are week-long, others are packaged into two week modules, and still others offer only short workshops throughout the week. Ask questions to ensure you are getting what you think you are buying as some camps will not guarantee your child's spot in the course they are interested in (you have to choose a first option, second option and so on) but place your child where they have room. As well, check out the camp program to ensure other fun summer activities take place. Will the kids be playing outside? It's summer after all, so will there be water games?
How are the kids taught at camp?
Even if you think your child is the next Bill Gates, he may not be at a comparable skill development as other kids in the camp. Learning new technology skills can be challenging, and if too much so, a very frustrating and unhappy experience for your child. When evaluating the camp program, check to see if they use a self-paced curriculum that allows your child to learn at their speed (slow or fast), or if they have to go at the speed of an instructor regardless of their own skill level. What types of projects will your child get to work on during camp? Are there individual and group projects? What happens if your child gets stuck?
David Kinard is involved in Cybercamps, a summer computer camp which includes game curriculum.
