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As appeared in The Daily Texan
June 28, 2007
University hosts camp for tech-savvy students
By Andres Martinez
Fifteen-year-old Craig Katkic adjusts his seat and turns his head toward the computer. With a couple of clicks from his mouse, Katkic hurries to save his teammate, who is under attack.
"We're losing our base," he says.
Craig isn't just playing the computer game Warcraft, he's strategizing and collaborating with fellow campers to better their game play.
As part of the iD Tech Summer Camp, hosted at the University and more than 50 other colleges, he and dozens of others like him are learning technology skills using advanced software.
Along with strategy, Craig says he learns an important life skill.
"We learn how to win with teamwork," he says.
The camp features a variety of courses for both children and teenagers, ranging from age 7 to 17. Campers sign up for classes in video game and Web design. Campers are scheduled to either go just during the day or stay overnight. The program started in early June and will continue through July.
Elliott Balch, a 16-year-old from New Orleans, is already in his third week at camp. Balch's interest progressed from his high school band to techno music and finally to graphics.
"I want basic knowledge of how the gaming world works," Balch said.
Balch is currently working with the C++ programming language and is working to understand what the phrase "percent mode" means.
Ten computers down, 11-year-old Kimari makes a sequel to his video game Space Trap. The objective is to help save Leo, the game's protagonist, from aliens that were dropped on Earth. He designed the game in three days.
"These are well-rounded kids," said Jennifer Devine, the camp director.
There are also campers who excel in sports and academics, Devine said.
Earlier in the session, the camp hosted gamers from Beijing and France.
"It's a great opportunity for them to check out the colleges," Devine said.
In another room, 15-year-old Gabe Cuomo is "modding," or modifying a map for the game Battlefield II.
"We do things like making birds fly out of trees. Later on, we'll get to design a sword," Cuomo said.
The map he designed has a city, complete with a gas station.
Gabe said he is also proud of his team, which competes every two weeks in a gaming tournament with participants from camps at all 50 host universities.
The UT team is the current champion among the participating colleges and has a two-week winning streak, Devine said.
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