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July 31st, 2009 by: Ryan
This week’s photo theme was “Check-In & Check-Out!” We had photos of students excited to arrive for some summer fun and some of students getting ready to leave for the day, along with a few crazy staff shots mixed in as well! To see what iD Tech Camps students and staff are up to all week at summer camp go to http://www.internaldrive.com/photos. Thanks again to our camp instructors and directors for creating lasting summer camp memories for our students.
MIT staff having a little summer fun to get the day going.
Heading out the door after a great day at our Emory summer camp.
All smiles to get the day started at our University of Michigan summer camp.
Some sweet moves as the day comes to a close at UC Davis.
Crazy Stanford summer camp staff getting photogenic.
July 31st, 2009
Posted in: iD Tech Camps
July 25th, 2009 by: Justin
So camp is in swing right now, and there are so many amazing projects coming into iD Tech Camp’s headquarters. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a camper start out nervous and shy, and by the end of their week at camp, they have friends, skills, and amazing project. If you haven’t been to the basement yet, go check it out – examples of stellar projects are posted there for everyone to see.
A couple of campers, in “serious-face” mode.
–Justin
July 25th, 2009
Posted in: iD Tech Bloggers
July 24th, 2009 by: Elise
Check out how cool summer computer camp can be! This week’s theme was students having fun! This made the choice impossible as all pictures were of students and staff having crazy fun. To see what iD Tech Camps students and staff are up to all week at summer camp go to http://www.internaldrive.com/photos. It is Amazing! Thanks again to our elite camp instructors and directors for creating awesome summer camp memories for our students! Enjoy these photos!
Surf and Tech at UC San Diego, half day of technology and half day of learning to surf!
Bonjour from Mc Gill University in Montreal Canada at iD Film Academy!
All hail iD Tech Camps instructors at computer camp held at Merrimack College.
Yum, UC Santa Cruz! Choosing what to eat at computer camp makes everyone happy.
The spirit of summer computer camp held at University of the Incarnate Word.
iD Tech Camps at University of Houston rocks!
Technology talent is not the only thing students have at iD Tech Camps in Chicago at Northwestern University.
Have fun creating games at summer camp held at Brown University.
At Pepperdine University, technology makes us smile at computer camp.
Technology for girls at summer camp is cool, iD now at American University.
Computer fun with iD Tech Camps at University of Washington.
July 24th, 2009
Posted in: iD Tech Camps
July 22nd, 2009 by: Ryan
CBS Atlanta visited iD Tech Camps at Emory in 2009. Click here to see iD Tech Camps in action!
July 22nd, 2009
Posted in: Emory University, iD In The News
July 17th, 2009 by: Ryan
Tech campers learn computer; social skills
By Dana Sherne
MORAGA — Campers of the iD Tech Camps at Saint Mary’s College come because they love the technology. But at the end of the weeklong camps, many walk away with new life skills and lifelong friends.
“The thing that really sells me on (the camp) is what they’re able to accomplish, with both their projects and with personal growth,” said camp director Jazz Tigan.
Smiling, Tigan notes that the camp — which runs from June 21 to July 31 — is known as a “nerd camp.” The campers, who vary in age from 7 to 17, learn programming, Web design, robotics and video game design in an environment many don’t find at school.
“At my school, I’m really kind of the only video game geek,” said 13-year-old Nicholas Barendregt of Lafayette. “I feel welcome here all the time. “… You can always find someone here who can be your friend.”
The camp staff works to create an atmosphere where all campers can learn self-confidence. Counselors have silly nicknames like “Skunk Monkey” and “Caboose.” The colorful room echoes with music, and in a camp tradition, counselors and campers wear pinatas on their heads.
Not only does this atmosphere make camp more fun, but it gives campers the freedom to be as goofy as they’d like, said Matthias Baker, an 11-year-old from Moraga.
Counselor Johnny Watson — known to his campers as “Hamwich” — said as a “fellow nerd,” he knows full well the challenges campers this age face.
“It’s pretty fulfilling to provide an environment where they cannot only be comfortable in their own skin but also be encouraged in the things they love,” he said.
When each camper arrives, they have an idea of their dream project. They often surpass their goals as they learn more software, said Tigan, adding that campers end up with a project that is “astonishingly personal.”
One camper’s game features a giant frozen chicken; another’s focuses on a chicken’s search for cows that are found underwater. Even when using the same software, campers’ projects bear little resemblance to each other. Camper Tom Flynn, an 11-year-old from Moraga, says that creating something unique is his favorite part of camp.
Counselor Anthony Andrade, or “Bobert,” tries to instill problem-solving skills in his campers by giving them independence after teaching the basics of a given program. He said he tries to guide them so if they hit an obstacle, they find a way around it.
Campers seem to be catching on, consciously or not.
“I’m learning patience,” said Barendregt. “When something doesn’t work, you have to bear with it sometimes. “… You need to think of all the options before you can really give up.”
So at the end of the day, this camp isn’t only about computers and programs.
“Camp’s one of those places where they can learn that social skills are skills. You don’t have to be born with them,” said Tigan. “You can grow and develop them.”
July 17th, 2009
Posted in: St. Mary's College of California, UC Berkeley
July 17th, 2009 by: Josh
Whew, it has been a while! Since my last blog I’ve been all over the country touring all the iD Tech locations that I manage. I’ve visited Carnegie Mellon University, Ohio State University, Sacred Heart University, Villanova University, Seton Hall University, Rider University and I just got done setting up the brand new Wesleyan University. I can’t wait to share all fun pictures from my trips to share with you!
This particular one comes from iD Seton Hall! All of the instructors had constructed large-print out portraits of themselves – prime for pranking! Fortunatly, one particular camper seemed to have a never ending amount of silly props in his back pack to deface instructor “Athena’s” portrait (there was a mythology theme). Here you go, way to take one for the team Athena!
See more photo’s of iD Seton Hall in action on flicker
July 17th, 2009
Posted in: iD Tech Bloggers
July 16th, 2009 by: Elise
Teens, Teens and Teens was this week’s theme for camp photos. Here is a look at teens having fun at summer camp. With so many great teen photos it was a hard choice! Here are the winners for this week. Want more summer fun, check out the camp pictures on http://www.internaldrive.com/photos. Enjoy!
Thumbs up at Case Western Reserve Computer Camp
Computer fun for teen girls at University of Denver
Teen Thriller Fun at Emory University
Say Cheese at iD Film Academy for teens at UC Berkeley
iD Gaming Academy at Emory University makes this gamer happy
Gaming Rocks at iD Gaming Academy at Stanford
How to look cool at computer camp, University of Miami
Teens are all in at UT Austin summer technology camps
Enjoying the sun and new friends at Vassar Computer Summer Camps
Technology is for teens at iD Tech Camps at Towson University
July 16th, 2009
Posted in: iD Tech Camps
July 14th, 2009 by: Ryan
Young people booting up computers for iD Tech Camp at Stanford run by Los Gatos residents
By Shannon Burkey
Building robots, developing the next big video game, filming and editing a movie using the latest in cutting-edge technology — these may seem like jobs for only the most technologically savvy adults, but it’s all in a day’s work for the kids in iD Tech Camp at Stanford University.
“This is a very hands-on camp,” said Karen Thurm Safran, vice president of marketing for the camp. “While here, the premise is to not only engage the kids in technology but to teach them that they can take a hobby and turn it into a career.” The camp, now in its 11th year, has come a long way from the days when 1989 Los Gatos High School graduate Alexa Ingram-Cauchi first conceived of the idea as a business project while an undergraduate at the University of Washington.
Based in Campbell, iD Tech Camp is a family-run business. Los Gatos residents Kathryn Ingram and Paul Cauchi, Alexa’s parents, co-founded the camp with their daughter, and her brother, Pete Ingram-Cauchi, serves as the president and CEO.
Since first debuting at Santa Clara University in 1999 with 270 campers, the camp has exploded in popularity and expanded to 24 states. Today, more than 100,000 campers have gone through the camp, which is now offered at 60 of the most prestigious universities in the country, including UC-Berkeley, Columbia, MIT and Purdue.
“Both my parents were involved with kids and education for a very long time, and they recognized that kids were not getting quality technology education because technology changes so fast that the teachers can’t keep up,” Pete Ingram-Cauchi said.
Finding instructors who are at the forefront of technology is a key element to the camp’s success, he added. With one computer per student and an average of six students per staff, campers receive personal attention and hands-on experience using leading-edge products from some of the top technology companies around the globe.
“Most of us are end users. With sites like Facebook, Youtube and Flicker, we’re all kind of on the periphery,” Pete Ingram-Cauchi said. “With this camp, we give the kids a chance to look under the hood and see how it all works.” “This camp is great because I’m not a fan of standard camps,” said 13-year-old Kieren Allison from Los Gatos.
Kieren attended the camp to learn computer programming because his father is a programmer and he said he thinks it is a skill that can be applied to many other things.
“My school offers programming classes but they are very basic,” Kieren said. “This camp teaches you the basics but takes you beyond that.” Campers looking for something a bit different can delve into courses in creating 2D and 3D video games, building robots, designing websites and filming and editing digital movies. At the end of each weeklong camp, campers each finish a project in whichever discipline they have chosen to work in during the week.
“I thought it would be really cool to build and program my own robot,” said 11-year-old Joseph Eschen, who attends St. Andrews School in Saratoga.
During Joseph’s week, not only did he build his own robot, but he also met daily challenges given by his instructor to program his robot to complete different tasks.
“It was really fun,” Joseph said. “Some of it is hard because you have to learn the programming first, but I’m good with computer stuff. I think that the fact that I got to meet new friends and work on new stuff was really cool.” Before spending a week at the camp learning 3D video game modeling, 12-year-old Jet Guitierrez-Bugari from Saratoga looked over the programs he had at home to better prepare himself for building his own games.
“I never knew how to do this type of 3D before, so I’m really excited,” Jet said. “We learned how to make a 3D game design and script it. Scripting is really cool because it lets you add your own touch to it.” For 11-year-old Joshua Allison of Los Gatos, the best part of the camp was taking something that was already a hobby and immersing himself in it.
During his week, Joshua took part in the digital video editing camp and was able to film and edit a movie from beginning to end with his fellow campmates using cutting-edge, professional-grade programs.
“I got to be the director of the film,” said Joshua about the movie that was written by campers. “It was a lot of fun making sure everything works and everybody does their job.” Joshua, who aspires to be a movie director when he grows up, has been making home videos for a while but said he really enjoyed taking it to another level at camp.
“This is my favorite camp by far, and I’ve done lots of other camps,” Joshua said. “It’s really cool because I have friends I make videos with at home, but they are not as into it as me. Here, everyone is really into it. And now that I’ve learned so many new things I’m excited to keep doing it.” In addition to the wealth of technological knowledge the students are receiving, camp founders also hope that by exposing campers to the campuses of well-known universities, they will get a feel for college life and be more apt to pursue their secondary education.
“I really like Stanford, and being here this week has made me want to try and get in when I’m older,” Joshua said.
Los Gatos resident Allison Lyons, who grew up attending iD Tech Camp and is now back for her second year as an assistant director, said her favorite part is seeing the same kids return year after year, eager to learn more.
“This camp is amazing. There are so many things that not only I learn but that I see these kids learn each day,” Lyons said. “Our camp is really high energy, and we manage to have fun while learning.” That is exactly what the Ingram-Cauchi family had in mind when they launched the camp.
“We’re having a lot of fun, and we really haven’t looked back,” Pete Ingram-Cauchi said. “I think I get the most satisfied when I see a kid who maybe came to us when they were 8, 9, 10 years old, and now they are going to college or getting these really hotshot jobs. We’re seeing it come full circle, and that’s really cool. We’re giving these kids the opportunity to do something big. We may have the next Sergey Brin, Larry Page or Bill Gates, and that feels good.” For information on iD Tech Camp, visit www.internaldrive.com or call 888.709.8324.
July 14th, 2009
Posted in: Santa Clara University, Stanford University, UC Berkeley
July 9th, 2009 by: Ryan
Most of our summer camp locations are in session this week, so let’s look at some photos! This week’s theme was “Products, Hardware and Software.” We looked through the many photos on http://www.internaldrive.com/photos and are pleased to announce this week’s photo-of-the-week winners. Thanks for taking the time to take great photos and portraying what our summer camps for kids and teens are truly like!
This summer day camp student shows off his camera skills at UCLA.
Ninja versus NinjaTM at our UT Austin summer camp.
Web Design & Flash Animation with Wacom® Pen Tablets at Ohio State.
Game Modding with Warcraft® III at the Villanova Gaming Academy.
Camp activities include Apples to Apples at Rollins College.
Looking up from her Dell Computer at our Santa Clara summer camp.
Working with Adobe® Illustrator® CS4 at Sacred Heart University.
Outdoor summer camp activities at UC Irvine.
Vex® Robotics at our MIT summer camp.
Excited over his SporeTM creature at our University of Washington camp.<-->
July 9th, 2009 | Tags: animation, camps, day camp, Design, Flash, game, Gaming, hardware, modding, overnight camp, photo, photos, robotics, robots, style, Summer Camps, theme
Posted in: iD Tech Camps
July 2nd, 2009 by: Elise
Summer camp is in full swing and it’s time to look at some more photos! This week’s theme was “University & Dorm Shots.” We looked through the many photos on http://www.internaldrive.com/photos and are pleased to announce this week’s photo-of-the-week winners. Thanks for taking the time to take great photos and for painting the picture of what our summer camps for kids and teens are truly like! Enjoy these photos!
Technology Fun in the Sun at Arizona State University
Future Techies of the world at Southern Methodist University
Wild Computer Campers at Emory University
UC San Diego Campers Create High Tech Fun
UC Santa Cruz Surf & Tech Camp- How’s that for a classroom
Ohio State University Video Game Summer Camp
Smith College Let the Gaming Begin
UNC- Chapel Hill Gearing up for Gaming Camp
Purdue University Technology Time for High Tech Campers
University of Virginia Computer Campers on the move to do something BIG
July 2nd, 2009 | Tags: camps, computer camps, Gaming, Summer Camps, technology, video game camps
Posted in: iD Tech Camps
