iD News and Blog

True Heroes!

This just in! In case you didn’t know, we inked a deal to use Guitar Hero 2 at all of our 50 locations for 2007. What does this mean? Well, of course, we have to test the product first and take it for a spin. Here are a couple good reviews from GameSpot.com. Click Hero Review.

Below is Captain Curry again. He’s always first to the scene. Nines is accompanying The Captain on bass…I think. These are the true heroes of iD…those that day in and day out test and retest all of the equipment before it goes out to camp. Nines, you are so serious. When I get back, I am lead vocals, I promise. That should cheer you up.

At the end of the day, we’re all just a bunch of grown up kids at iD. We love to work, but we love to play. OK, enough playing, let’s get back to work, people!

For those of you that are more traditional and don’t use cell phones or iPods, we just might look to send out ukeleles to each of our camps. Here’s my oldest son playing the ukelele. Is that a ukelele? He might be a leftie.

OK, my wife just called and told me my time was up, so I have to sign off. Until we meet again, Nation! Be safe.

-Pete

 

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Happy New Year! This one is for all iD Employees!

Before I get started, I want to thank my IT Department for not replacing the keys on my computer.  I can log on from anywhere in the world, work from any cafe, leave my computer sitting at any table, and nobody would think of stealing it.  I have the CTRL button taped to my computer so I don’t lose it.  The SHIFT key keeps falling off, and there are two other keys that have permanently jumped ship.  If you find those two missing keys, please mail them to me.  I don’t know if this all looks too good if you run a computer camp.  Side note:  I promise that this guy had nothing to do with the missing keys.

This blog finds me in a cafe in the middle of the country in Cordoba, Argentina.  A few years ago, the idea of bringing my laptop to a cafe in Argentina and connecting painlessly via wireless would have been unthinkable.  But, the internet is in full force down here, and I am proud to see the technology leaps that are underway.

Argentina is the land of the tango, the gaucho, the Patagonia region, the Mendoza wine region, the Andes Mountains, Iguazu Falls, and lots and lots of beef.    My wife is from Cordoba which is a city of about 1.5 million.  This colonial city lies in the heart of the country.  After Buenos Aires, it is the 2nd biggest city in Argentina.  It is summer down here and quite hot and humid, but amazing thunder storms appear every couple of days to cool things down.  Here’s a picture of the Iguazu falls which is on the border between Argentina and Brazil.

The journey down to Cordoba consisted of 4 flights, and total travel time of 24 hours.  A long trip.  An even longer trip when you factor in flying with a 2-year-old and a 9-week-old.   This is what my 2-year-old looked like after the 3rd flight.  That pretty much says it all.

But, kids are resilient.  After the flight, he was wide awake.  Check out the dance party at 6 AM in the Santiago, Chile airport on You Tube.  I think you’ll get  a kick out of some of his moves.  Click here.

Happy New Year!

I want to wish a Happy New Year to our employees and clients!

2006 was was a great year for iD.  We continued to cement our position as the leading technology camp in the country (and the world).  We invested heavily in our people, our camps, trainings, curriculum and our IT infrastructure–all of which enabled us to provide the best summer camps we have ever run.  So, can we do it again in ‘07, but do it even better?  That is a question that we ask of our employees everyday at iD.  “Are you up to the challenge?”

It is an amazing feeling to be on vacation for the holidays and to know that our full time employees are stepping up to the plate, making smart, tough decisions.  It is the sign of a well-run company when service continues at a high level not only when the top cats are present, but more so when the top cats are away.  I salute all of our employees on your fine work–and I can’t wait to see your lofty results in ‘07.

My sister, Alexa (Co-Founder and CFO) and Mom (Kathryn, Co-Founder) may not say enough how much we appreciate our employees.  But, the fact is, we respect and admire each of you.  You are our family.  We have said it before, but, without you, iD would be nothing.  Nothing at all.  You are the spirit and the energy and the determination that propels us to the top.  You are the glue that keeps iD together.  Our culture of long term, tight-knit relationships with our employees is, in fact, our most lucrative asset–and one that is not easily replicated.  It is an intangible that is felt not only when you walk into our main office, but something you feel when you go to one of our camps.  It is the iD spirit, and it is real.  That’s why we say over and over again that we aren’t just a technology camp, but a people company.  Our people are the company.  This is the best business lesson I could give anybody.  The people are the company.  Have a safe and wonderful 2007, everyone.

Thinking of you from Argentina!

-Pete

 

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