SEATTLE - March 1, 2007 - Going to summer program used to be pretty simple. Pack your flashlight, bug spray, and sleeping bag and head off to the wilderness for a week of crafts, canoeing, and ghost stories by the campfire. Today, however, there are a variety of summer programs that fit nearly every interest a kid may have. With the popularity of non-traditional summer programs continuing to increase, it may be difficult to determine which ones are the best for your child. And, when it comes to computer and technology programs, it's easy to spend a lot of money on a program. To assist you in making the best choice for your child, and your wallet, Giant Campus - the national leader in technology education for youth - has compiled seven tips for choosing a computer/technology camp that will keep your child happy.
1. What type of company runs the summer program? There are many organizations offering summer computer programs. Some are nonprofits similar to your local Parks and Recreation Association, some are family-run businesses. 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.
Giant Campus offers products and services in a variety of environments in addition to its university-hosted summer computer programs. Giant Campus also offers programs to K-12 school classrooms, U.S. military installations, federal government offices, and homes.
2. 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. Determining this may require some research, but it will be worth your time. 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.
One example of a research-proven program is Giant Campus' Cybercamps - a summer technology camp offered at more than 50 colleges and universities this summer. Cybercamps is the only camp with curriculum and a teaching model that's been proven to produce significant gains in the communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills of its participants.
3. What is the student to staff ratio? The American Camp Association (ACA) 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 use professional educators or industry experts as staff. In addition, check to see how camp staff are trained. One way to judge the commitment of a program to its staff development is to determine 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 are not counted in the staff ratios, they are budding leaders who can get some practice by leading games or offering peer mentoring and support.
Giant Campus' Cybercamps offer a student-to-staff ratio of 1:5, the lowest in the industry. A unique Teen Leadership Program is also offered, which is a great opportunity for teens to learn leadership skills by helping others, leading projects, and learning real-life skills. This extra program extends Cybercamps' ability to develop the whole person, not just their tech skills.
4. 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.
Giant Campus' programs is the only national computer camp that has ever met all the American Camp Association's 300 standards in health, safety, and program quality at all of its locations nationwide. This kind of demonstrated commitment to quality should be a major factor in choosing the right camp.
5. How current are the camp's courses and programs? Technology changes at a fast rate. The curriculum offered at computer camps should reflect the changing nature of technology. Beware, 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 for teaching new things. If you can't find this information on their Web site, then the program is likely staying current by copying others.
Giant Campus' Cybercamps offers a chart on their Web site, so viewers can see how programs compare to each other.
6. What will your child do at camp? Most computer camps offer some configuration of options when registering. Some courses 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 paying for, as some camps will not guarantee your child's spot in the course they are interested in, but place them where there is room. In addition, 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 outdoor games?
Giant Campus' Cybercamps offer a variety of other activities, so not all the time is spent in front of a computer. At Cybercamps, students can enjoy team sports, Wacky Water Wednesdays, pizza parties, robot challenges, and more.
7. 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 computer 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?
"Although summer program options have changed dramatically over the past decade, one thing should always be at the top of the list - making sure the camp is an enjoyable experience for a still-developing youth. Kids and teens today, as always, need a physically and psychologically safe environment where they are encouraged to explore their world and try new things," says Kat Fitzgerald, Director of National Programs at Giant Campus, who is also in charge of the Cybercamps program. "Only when youth try new things do they grow. And only when they are safe do they try new things."
* For more information about the American Camp Association, visit www.acacamps.org.
* For more information about all types of summer program programs, visit www.allensguide.com.
* For more information about Cybercamps computer camp, visit www.cybercamps.com.
About Giant Campus
Giant Campus is a provider of technology training, consulting, and staffing services to the youth and education markets; the U.S. Armed Forces, their families and DoD Civilians; the federal government; and private sector corporations. It is the parent company of Cybercamps - a national summer technology camp - which began in 1997 with 125 campers. Today, more than 40,000 campers have participated in Cybercamps at one of their more than 50 college/university campus locations nationwide. Giant Campus also holds multi-year contracts with military installations to provide both live and online computer courses to adults and youth within their communities.