By Kara Tsuboi

When I was a kid, I went to my fair share of educational summer programs: language camp, clay animation camp, invention camp (and I loved them all). But those are so 20th century. These days, the hot, educational activity during the summer months is tech camp, the obvious choice for kids who are obsessed with playing on their computers, conquering video games, and mastering the thousands of apps for their iPods, tablets, or smartphones. To view the video and read the complete article click here.

I just received this message through facebook.  This is what it’s all about!  We talk a lot about how our summer camps develop technical skills for the future.  This is proof you don’t need to wait until college to start putting those skills into action.  This is awesome stuff and certainly worthy of a “do something big” story.  FYI, the letter says “Thanks to you, Pete…” but I cannot and will not take credit for our awesome tech camps.  The success of our programs is dependent on the people on our team.  Thanks to everyone who has made our summer camps in New Jersey, and our camps across the country, a success.

Enjoy!

-Pete

——————–

Subject: Thanks to IDTech Camp, Co. hires 9 yr old website developers

Thanks to you, Pete!

This summer, fresh out of 3rd grade, our twins R. and S. (names withheld for security) learned enough in your website development/game development course to develop a website for a local company and got paid enough to pay for their tuition next summer! (Their goal!)

No, it was not a relative or friend, it was a real client! We told them if they wanted to take classes in game development, they would have to earn the $ to pay for it…and they did!  We are attaching a picture of them with their clients and first paycheck.  They also negotiated a website maintenance contract…ongoing $$$!

If I were you, I would advertise in our area of PA.  Ours were the only kids at Rider College from our area, we found you only by accident, and there is a lot of interest in this type of class here.  If you need any help promoting IDTech camp in this area, we would love to help you (for free).  All parents should know about a camp their kids like so much they are willing to to learn enough to pay their own tuition!

Gratefully,

H. & L.  (Parents’ names withheld for confidentiality)

——————–

We’ve got our summer camps in PA at Carnegie Mellon University and Villanova University.  Please check the availability of our courses at these locations.  And, thanks for spreading the word.  This is what it’s all about!

-Pete

By first attending, then teaching at iD Tech Camps, Mike was able to find his passion for technology while combining it with his love of music. Mike is now pursuing both of these interests at college and on his own time.

Read an excerpt from our interview with Mike, below:

iD: What’s your hometown and state?

Mike: West Chester, PA

iD: How many years at iD (attending and working)?

M: Attended for 3 years at Villanova in 2001, 2002, and 2003 and instructed at Villanova and Sacred Heart University in 2008.

iD: What are your favorite things about our summer camp?

M: The people are a ton of fun and are all interested in learning, whether in the classroom, outside or just through conversation.

iD: How has iD inspired you?

M: iD has taught me to think bigger. After attending and working for iD Tech I was convinced I wanted to work with computers when I was older. It also taught me that I don’t have to restrict myself to one thing. I love technology, but I also love music. I’ve decided to combine those skills in my continuing studies.

iD: Is iD a good place to make friends?

M: iD is absolutely a great place to make friends. I still talk to a few of the kids I went to camp with years ago, not to mention the staff I worked with this summer.

iD: What’s your favorite tech gadget?

M: My MacBook Pro or iPod Touch; they get me through the day and keep me organized.

iD: How has iD helped you improve in other aspects of your life besides technology?

M: iD taught me a lot about being myself. When I was younger, I was a traditional geek, but iD broke the stereotypes and made me realize that you should be who you are – regardless of stereotypes. Aspire to better yourself at all times.

iD: How did iD Tech Camps prepare you for your current position?

M: Attending iD Tech gave me the idea to major in Music Industry, combining music with technology and business. Working for iD gave me experience to talk to kids and teach. This teaching is something I now do quite often to help underclassmen register for classes, etc.

Mike, we’re so proud of what you’ve accomplished and look forward to welcoming you back to instruct this summer!

Check out the full interview with Mike by clicking here.

Find out more about the courses Mike taught and the locations he worked at – this could be your chance to do something big with your summer!

This is pretty much a random post–although it should be mentioned that the “Can’t Touch This” video blazed the trail with superior cinematography–the kind of music video kids can get a taste for creating in our Digital Video camp course at iD Tech Camps. (The plug had to happen!)

Can’t touch this! Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh…

Bryan hanging with MC Hammer

Read below to learn more about Genevieve and how she’s doing something BIG after having attended our iD Tech Camps.

iD: How many seasons have you attended iD Tech Camps?

Genevieve: This year was my first year!

iD: Where are you from?

G: Roanoke, Virginia

iD: Which iD location did you attend?

G: University of Virginia

iD: What course(s) have you enrolled in?

G: Web Design & Flash Animation

iD: What do you do for fun when you aren’t at our computer camp?

G: Besides high school, I play steel drums, travel abroad and manage my online vintage clothing business with my sisters.

iD: Does coming to iD help you improve in other aspects of your life besides technology?

G: Yes! I learned to be a better leader and to be more independent.

iD: Is iD a good place to make friends? Why?

G: Yes, everyone is very friendly and nice.

iD: What are your future goals? Will you be attending college?

G: I am applying to the University of Virginia, Emerson College, Boston College, Suffolk University in Boston, Columbia College and Roosevelt University in Chicago.

iD: How has iD impacted these goals?

G: I am considering majoring in Web Design.

iD: What’s your favorite tech gadget?

G: My cell phone — I am a teenager!

iD: What’s the #1 way you communicate with your friends?

G: Texting

iD: Why would you keep coming back to iD?

G: Because it’s a fun way to learn and get great website and graphic design advice!

iD: Any advice for future iD Tech campers?

G: Be sure you come prepared to meet new people and have lots of fun while learning some new stuff!

iD: Anything else you’d like to add?

G: Coming to iD Tech Camps helped me so much with the look and function of my online vintage clothing business! Before I came to camp, my website was pretty good. But the counselors really helped me add some great interactive features. I learned how to link pages and added Flash animation to my website. Thanks for everything!

Learn more about other iD Alumni who have gone on to Do Something Big! You can also learn more about our courses and locations.

Marta turned her dream of becoming a graphic artist into a reality–and since she loved working for iD Tech Camps so much, she decided to go from summer camp employee to full-time employee at our headquarters in Campbell, CA.

I sat down with Marta and she had some great experiences and advice to bring to the table. Read on to see how Marta has gone on to Do Something Big! Here’s an excerpt from my interview with Marta:

iD: Which iD locations did you teach at?

Marta: I’ve worked as a Lead Instructor, Assistant Director and Director at the Stanford location, and I recently directed at one of our iD Film Academy locations.

iD: When you instructed, what courses did you teach?

M: Web Design & Flash® Animation and the Junior Courses (Adventures in Game Design and Create Your Own Adventure).

iD: What is your current position?

M: I’m the Lead Designer at iD Tech Camps. Every day I get to turn on my computer, open up design programs like Photoshop or grab a pencil and paper to sketch and get paid to be creative. It’s pretty awesome!

iD: What are your favorite things about our summer camps?

M: The friendships and bonds that you form with your summer co-workers. You become so close through working and spending time with them during your off hours that they become lifelong friends.

iD: What do you do for fun when you aren’t at our computer camp?

M: I like to play sports, especially basketball and running, and enjoy traveling, reading, fishing, talking with people who have a different perspective on things and learning from them, and spending time with my family in MN.

iD: Why do you like iD?

M: Within the company, there is an enormous amount of hard work, dedication and willingness to have fun that starts all the way from the top (the CEO, CFO and the managers) and flows through to the rest of the summer staff. Because of this, the atmosphere at each location is bursting with kids that are having so much fun, creating projects that they love and getting the chance to be themselves. I’ve seen so many kids go through camp and start the week off apprehensive about so many things, and then find them at the end of the week with life-long friends, higher self esteem, and a vast amount of new knowledge. In fact I still have some of the thank you notes that I’ve received from campers in the past, and each time I read them it really hits home at what an amazing experience iD and its people provide for their clients.

I’m also really happy that iD Tech Camps will now be offering a Graphic Arts camp in 2009! This is exactly the kind of exposure kids and teens need if they’re interested in the graphic arts and graphic design field.

iD: How has iD inspired you to “Do Something Big”?

M: The company, without a doubt, believes in their employees and stands behind them. Even during my first year as a summer staff, I always knew I had a support system coming from my Director, Regional Manager and the people working at the main office, whether I had met them or not, which is something that you don’t see in every company you work for these days. Fast forward three years and it was no surprise that I wanted to work for a company that motivated me from the beginning and allowed me to see how important it is to do the same for youth.

We have some more BIG news from Marta since we last checked in with her. We are happy to let you know that Marta is now engaged to be married to a former iD Tech Camps staff member, Sebastian “Seabass” Carden. Congratulations Marta and Sebastian, we wish you both the best!

Check out the full interview with Marta by clicking here.

Find out more about the courses Marta taught and the locations she worked at – this could be your chance to do something big with your summer!

Proving that girls can rock in the field of science and technology, Annie started at iD Tech Camps as a student, then became an instructor and is now a technology teacher in her home state of Colorado! She is starting her own technology cycle with her students now. There’s no telling what her students (both at camp and at her school) will accomplish with an inspirational mentor like Annie and their new knowledge of technology.

We sat down with Annie to talk about her passion for technology and experiences at iD. Here’s an excerpt from our interview with Annie:

iD: What made you want to attend iD – and then work for iD?

Annie: When I was in middle school, I loved acting and was very creative. As a camper, I attended the digital video course at iD Tech Camps and loved it so much that I signed up for web design too! It was a great fit for me when I was younger, because I could be so creative while learning practical skills! Now, I love computers and I love teaching, so iD is a perfect fit!

iD: What are your favorite things about our summer camp?

Annie: I love everything about camp! I love teaching in such a fun and goofy environment. There is a perfect balance between having fun and being safe. iD Tech does such a great job training, so I always know how to handle various situations.

iD: Is iD Tech Camps a good place for girls to attend? Why?

Annie: iD Tech is a great place for girls (and boys, of course)! There are so many opportunities to be creative with computers. It’s also a great way to meet friends and learn about computer-related careers.

iD: How has iD inspired you?

Annie: When I first started instructing at iD Tech, I was studying computer science and planning to go into software development. I knew I enjoyed teaching, but I didn’t realize that I LOVE teaching until camp! It completely changed my career path. Camp has also inspired me to be the very best teacher and person possible. iD Tech creates an atmosphere of high expectations. I feel motivated, but never pushed and it brings out the best in me.

Check out the full interview with Annie by clicking here.

iD Tech Camps inspires kids and teens to take what they learn and experience at summer camp and apply it to their future, just like Annie. She’s spreading her love of technology to her students-something we’re very proud of! Keep up the great work Annie; we can’t wait to have you back at camp this summer!

Find out more about the courses Annie taught and the locations she worked at – this could be your chance to do something big with your summer!

Whether you’re contemplating joining a gym for the new year or signing up for an AP class in high school, several questions guide your decision. What will come of your effort? Will it be worth the time, energy and money? Questions like these plague parents and students on a daily basis. The fact of the matter is: we’re driven by the prospect of attaining positive results. Paying that monthly gym membership fee is a lot easier when you’re happy with your health and appearance as a result. Likewise, if a student passes his AP History exam with flying colors, that means potentially one less “boring” lower-division class in college – all those extra studying hours will have been worth it.

So when the question comes up of whether or not to attend iD summer computer camps, we’re breaking it down using this same method. Kids and teens who attend iD see immediate positive results in a variety of areas including: increased confidence, exposure to new and exciting fields, preparedness for school and even college, making new friends in a social setting, and more.  Long-term results are even more impressive. The fact is that iD Tech Camps inspires students to reach beyond themselves and aspire to do something big. What students take away from their experience at one of our 60 prestigious locations is more than you can confine to a resume (although it definitely looks good on paper too).  We conducted a survey over the summer with our iD student alumni, and the results were incredible.  We found that 94% of former iD students go on to college.  94%.  That’s significant.  We think our camps fulfill a fun, educational niche that many students just wouldn’t get otherwise.

Take a look at Ian Cinnamon. He attended iD Tech Camps for five summers. When I caught up with him the other day, my jaw dropped when he told me what he’d been up to.

Excerpt from interview with Ian:

iD: How has attending iD Tech Camps inspired you?

Ian: At 15, I wrote Programming Video Games for the Evil Genius (McGraw-Hill, 2008), at 16, I became a programmer/developer for the Apple iPhone creating several applications including “Car Finder” which was recently featured in the New York Times. Last summer I led my Harvard-Westlake (Los Angeles) rocketry club to the national “Team America’s Rocketry Challenge” competition and was recently approved by NASA as a government contractor for the Student Launch Initiative. I’ve also been involved in two UCLA science internships. The common denominator in all these activities is my love of programming and engineering which took root at iD Tech.

You can read more about Ian here.

Granted, Ian’s results are quite extraordinary, but big things can be measured in small ways too.  Better grades.  Higher self esteem.  Even simple happiness.  iD Tech Camps inspires students to take what they learn at camp and apply it in countless ways to benefit them in the future.

Want to learn more about other iD Tech Camps Alumni and their accomplishments? Check out our Do Something Big page to be further inspired.

Start your own success story with us this summer.

-Donna

Banditz, Zach M. from University of Washington and

Gh0stfaceK1llah, Chris S. from the University of Central Florida

These two amazing gamers, attended our Ultimate Gaming Weekend program and achieved the status, nay, the very pinnacle of success that defined the Ultimate Gaming Weekend Gamer.

Battling the minions who dared to challenge them in the arena of multiplayer gaming, they came out victorious. Foe after foe slayed by the mighty left and right mouse button, they ignored the cries of misery and instead rallied behind the mighty power of “PWND”.

On behalf of all of us at iD Tech Camps, we want to congratulate you for all of your hard work and dedication to the sport of gaming!

From time to time, I like to highlight some of our past students, featuring them in the ”Where are they now” category of this blog.  I’m sure you’ll like this next story about our summer film camps.  We recently heard from one of our students, Christina Frenzel.  Here’s a bit of what she wrote:

“Tell Pete I say hi. I remember him as I attended summer camp when the company was just starting out in Santa Clara. He was always there watching how camp was going and I remember how nice he was.”

Well, thank YOU, Christina!  It’s nice to know you remember me, and thanks for the compliment.  Very cool!

Christina Frenzel:  Film School Phenom

“iD Tech Camps not only helped me to become a better filmmaker, but more importantly, this summer camp in the Bay Area fostered my growth into becoming a confident young adult. I will never forget the people I met there, especially the camp instructors that encouraged me to follow my dreams and supported me along the way. Almost ten years after attending camp, I still am in contact with some of the instructors, and I recently invited them to my graduation dinner celebrating my accomplishments at USC. It meant so much to me to have them there because I knew I could not have accomplished all that I have without them.”

Christina recently graduated from USC School of Cinematic Arts with a double major in film production and psychology. She attended iD Tech Camps for multiple seasons as a middle school and high school student, and continued to develop her passion for film production. By the time she reached college, two of her documentaries aired on HBO. While at USC, Christina was named as a semi-finalist in the 33rd Student Academy Awards for her thesis film. After graduating, she worked as a research and production assistant for PBS’ Frontline and will soon be working in Washington D.C. as a production assistant for a political advertising firm for the 2008 presidential election. In her free time Christina loves to volunteer, backpack, and play soccer.

Christina…way to go!  We will be keeping an eye on you!

-Pete