School may be back in session, but after school, Connected Camps is helping kids get their game on through online coding and Minecraft camps.
Connected Camps, a benefit corporation, and Institute of Play, a nonprofit organization, designed the camp activities and events to maximize the learning potential of Minecraft in which kids learn: problem solving and design, advanced building techniques, online and web literacy, collaboration and community organizing and digital citizenship.
The coding camp starts Oct. 5. It is designed for kids, ages 10-14. Using the Lua programming language, students learn to code while playing Minecraft. The month-long camp meets after school twice a week. Expert programmers lead each session. Additional after-school online coding camps will be offered monthly.
Also, Connected Camps is offering an ongoing Minecraft Kid Club, which gives participants access to secure counselor-moderated Minecraft servers. Campers can login from home and engage in a wide range of in-game events including workshops, creative challenges, collaborative building, games, and competitions. The events will build STEM and digital citizenship skills, tie in with popular content such as the Hunger Games and involve real-world problem solving using Minecraft as the platform.
Besides online camps, Connected Camps also works with schools, libraries, and community-based organizations to customize programs for their students.
Computer science scholars nationwide have declared coding as the new digital literacy, and to excel in tomorrow’s high-tech world today’s young people must constantly learn to create and design with technology. And, learning to code using popular games like Minecraft engages learners on a fun level.
“Minecraft is more than a game. It’s an environment that can teach problem solving, programming and social skills. It’s like LEGO, in a social, virtual world,” said Tara Tiger Brown, a technologist, entrepreneur, co-founder of Connected Camps and co-founder of Los Angeles Makerspace.
“I’ve never seen anything like the Minecraft phenomenon,” said learning scientist and Connected Camps co-founder Mimi Ito, who has been researching games-based learning for more than two decades. “For the first time, we have an opportunity to connect play and learning through a massively successful commercial title that is loved by kids, parents, and educators alike.”
For camp costs, to register and for more information, visit connectedcamps.com.
About Connected Camps
Connected Camps is a benefit corporation providing connected learning experiences that foster creativity, problem solving, collaboration and interest-driven learning. By leveraging the power of open networks and partnering with community-based organizations, Connected Camps is committed to delivering the highest quality online learning experiences to young people in all walks of life.
About Institute of Play
Institute of Play is a not-for-profit design studio that pioneers new models of learning and engagement. At the core of the experiences the Institute creates are games, play and the principles that underlie them. Using these principles, the Institute has created successful institutions, games, programs, events, digital platforms and products. Its first project was the design and launch of the innovative New York City public school, Quest to Learn.
Connected Camps and Institute of Play are members of the Connected Learning Alliance, which supports the expansion and influence of a network of educators, experts and youth-serving organizations mobilizing new technology in the service of equity, access and opportunity for all young people.
Media Contact
Mimi Ko Cruz
mcruz@hri.uci.edu
949-824-4587