Update: This article was last updated on 18th January 2024 to reflect the accuracy and up-to-date information on the page.
Children are far more capable than we can imagine. Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, known for his research work on child development, had proved it long back. He discovered that “children are active builders of knowledge-little scientists who construct their theories of the world.”
Quite true. If you want to discover the scientist in your children, engage them with some kind of activity, and give them a free hand to complete the task. They will surprise you with their knowledge quotient, their approach, and creativity.
Activities are opportunities for children to grow and enhance their creativity and skills. With summer vacations around the corner, you can now plan activities for your children so that they can utilize this time for fun and learning all the same. One of the popular activities is camping. Summer camps are organized during long vacations to make holidays advantageous.
What are Summer Camps?
The definition of camps and camping has evolved in the last few years, and the scope has widened. Depending upon the interest of the child, you can choose from leisure, sports, educational, or tech camps.
Nowadays, tech camps are quite popular. The technological evolution has accentuated its importance in making children future-ready. Thoughtfully designed tech camps come with several desirable benefits, especially for those who have a technical bent of mind and want to mingle with like-minded people who are passionate about technology or STEAM (Science, Technology, Art, Engineering, and Math) learning. The benefits are plenty.
History
Yes, there is a history behind the tech camp, and it all started in 1977. According to National Computer Camp (NCC), it is the brainchild of Dr. Michael Zabinski, who was awarded several federal grants to train teachers at Fairfield University to integrate computers into their classrooms.
In 1977, to reach young people personally, he established the first of these educational summer camps, coined the phrase “Computer Camps,” and founded NCC and the computer camp industry.
NCC is America’s first computer camp and is described as unique because it allows campers to attend one or multi-week sessions with a continuous curriculum that covers all aspects of computer literacy and includes an optional sports program. These camps are ideal for both experienced and first time campers.
What is a Tech Camp/Computer Camp?
As the word indicates, a tech camp, usually organized during a long vacation, focuses on technology education that includes STEAM learning, video game design, artificial intelligence, robotics, programming, etc.
What has made them so popular is that at these camps, children get hands-on experience, exposure to the latest tech, a brush with futuristic skills, and a vision for higher studies. The experience helps them in shaping their future.
In a few months, summer vacations will start, and if you are looking for a fruitful engagement during upcoming vacation for your children who are interested in technology and curious to know and explore the tech world, tech summer camps could be one of the best options.
The tech camps have already started rolling out their schedules and curriculums. We have shortlisted six tech camps that may help you in planning your holidays. They are:
1. NCC
Age Group: 8 to 18 years
Location: Virtual online Camp
One of the oldest and the best, the NCC tech camp offers fun and learning, creative computing, and recreational sports programs under the leadership of the best in the industry. A pioneer in the field, it has established a name for itself and is one of the most trusted.
2. Digital Media Academy Tech Camps
Age Group: 9 to 18 years
Location: Silicon Valley, California
Digital Media Academy is another viable option. The academy collaborates with top colleges and universities in the US and Canada. It has been in this field for over two decades, and the tech camps organized by them are project-based and allow children to complete a project.
According to the academy, it is the best place for children to start their careers as designers, developers, programmers, engineers, animators, musicians, filmmakers, and creators.
3. Club Scientific Summer Camps
Age Group: 6 to 12 years
Location: United States
Club Scientific Summer Camps are known for hands-on learning and the experience of learning science in a fun manner. Each student gets one-on-one attention, and the course is designed to encourage critical thinking in children. The camp offers multiple themes such as Robotics camps, Jr. Medical Doctor camps, and Jr. Game Developer camps, etc. Parents can choose the theme according to the interests of their children.
4. ID Tech Camps
Age Group: 7 to 19 years
Location: Virtual online Camp
Those not comfortable sending out their children can choose virtual camps by ID Tech Camps. In popularity, the tech camps by ID are sought after. The camps offer different programs such as coding, building websites, designing video games, robotics, etc.
One of the highlights of the camp is that it helps students get excited about topics they may initially be “unsure” about.
5. AstroCamp
Age Group: 8 to 17 years
Location: Jacinto Mountains, CA
AstroCamp is a science camp for both kids & teens. What sets it apart from others is that the camp has mixed science and space exploration along with adventure. Children learn communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills during the one-and two-week program.
Activities like telescope observations, rocketry, and planetary and solar science help in enhancing their knowledge about science and space exploration. At the same time, they get a chance to indulge in adventurous experiences through mountain biking, archery, rock climbing, and bouldering.
6. MoonCamp
Age Group: 9 to 17 years
Location: Online Virtual Program
This one on the list is loaded with every learning hack you seek in a camp. An arm of Moonpreneur’s Innovator Program, the tech-based activities at this instructor-led virtual camp will introduce children to futuristic skills.
Also, the time spent at the MoonCamp will help children in preparing for college and the future of work. You can pick from the bouquet that includes subjects such as future tech, robotics, and home automation as individual courses or go for a combination of future tech and robotics and future tech and home automation. The most interesting part of the camp is the hands-on learning experience and learning via gamification.
7. Lavner Camps
Age Group: 3 to 14 years
Location: Online Virtual Program & Pennsylvania for In-Person (both options available)
Lavner Camps invites you to explore an exceptional array of Summer Enrichment Camps in Sports and STEAM, conveniently located in the Philadelphia area.
The aim is to provide kids with the opportunity to immerse themselves in weekly specialty camps ranging from traditional favorites like Soccer, Basketball, and Flag Football to cutting-edge programs in Robotics, Coding, Game Design, Minecraft, Roblox, 3D Printing, Spy Tech, Web Design, STEM & Medicine, Culinary Arts, Video Production for YouTube, Graphic Design, Science, Creative Writing, Pokémon, Filmmaking, and more.
8. Camp Tech Revolution
Age Group: 6 to 14 years
Location: Multiple Locations in USA
At Camp Tech Revolution Dive into the world of LEGO Robots, VEX Robotics, Coding, Game Design, Video Production for YouTube, Minecraft, Roblox, 3D Printing, Spy Tech, Space Exploration, AI, Tech Stocks, STEM & Medicine, Engineering, Web Design, Digital Rock Band, Graphic Design with Custom Sneaker Design, and so much more. Plus, they got sports and cool team-building games during recess..
9. SummerTech Camps
Age Group: 10 to 17 years
Location: Westchester County, New York
Experience real engineering at SummerTech Camps with industry-standard tools and personalized learning in a low instructor-student ratio setting. Choose from courses like Python, Java, 3D Modeling, and 2D Animation. Enjoy a supportive environment for building friendships, creating unforgettable memories, and immersing yourself in Geek Culture. No edutainment—just real engineering settings. All campers get lunch and dinner (plus breakfast for Overnighters), and we offer flexible day and overnight options with early drop-off and late pickup to fit your family’s schedule.
Conclusion
Any kind of experiential learning benefits children and these camps help them meet peer groups with similar aspirations and ambitions. Together, they explore and discover learning techniques and skills that they can leverage for the future.
Moonpreneur is on a mission to educate and ignite the flames of entrepreneurship through our holistically created online STEM programs, which will help kids master the futuristic sciences such as Robotics, Game Development, App Development, Advanced Math, Math-Quiz to test your kids knowledge and much more!!
Register for a free 60-minute robotics and Coding workshop today!
At MoonCamp, we bring fun and learning to your kids. Get the best exposure this summer through several tech-related courses and activities, and get a chance to learn while having fun!
Register for a free overview session of MoonCamp today before seats get filled!
Are there any tech camps exclusively focusing on sustainability and eco-tech innovations this year?
Yes, several tech camps prioritize sustainability and eco-tech innovations, offering programs centered on renewable energy, environmental tech, and green innovations, such as Camp EDMO’s Sustainable Innovation Camp and IDTechEx’s CleanTech camps.
What innovative cybersecurity challenges or workshops can tech enthusiasts expect at these camps?
Tech enthusiasts can anticipate real-world hacking simulations, cryptography workshops, network defense challenges, and ethical hacking sessions at cybersecurity-focused camps.