California Summer Camp Locations Summer Camps: Cal Lutheran University Computer Camps
Cal Lutheran University Computer Camps
- Camp Overview
- About This U & Maps
- Staff Ratio Guarantee
- Safety & Peace of Mind
- Sample Week
- In the News
- Testimonials
- FAQ
Computer Camps Held at Cal Lutheran University
iD Tech Camps, Ages 7-17WEEKLONG | CO-ED | DAY CAMPS
COURSE TOPICS: VIDEO GAME DESIGN, PROGRAMMING, APPS, WEB DESIGN & MOREAbout Our Southern California Computer Camp Courses
Ignite your internalDrive and do something BIG this summer! iD Tech Camps is a family company – and our company is a unique place. Some call it magical. We’re the World’s #1 Tech Camp – consistently ranked a Top Workplace. One of our big secrets? Ridiculously small ratios. Small ratios mean personalized instruction – just 8 students per instructor or fewer, guaranteed! Our adult-only staff are tech-savvy undergraduates, graduate students and professionals, passionate about teaching game design, film, computer science and more.
This is our 12th season hosting Thousand Oaks summer camps at Cal Lutheran University. We strike the right balance between off-computer activities (creative games, sports, life skills, etc.) and essential technology education to foster STEM skill development (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Our popular CLU summer day camps are among a handful of elite CA summer camps in Los Angeles and Southern California accredited by the American Camp Association.
We offer a variety of cutting-edge summer camp courses for beginner through advanced learners. Kids and teens learn one course topic per week, specializing in video game design, iPhone® app development, Flash® animation, programming, video editing and more – using the best brand name products from Adobe®, Apple®, Autodesk®, Google, Microsoft® and beyond. Come explore the college campus and gain skills that will last long after summer camp ends. Continue to Step 2 for Course Availability, Tuition & Dates.
About Cal Lutheran University Computer Camps
NOTE: Looking for our exact location on campus? You must first be enrolled; you can then access that information through My Account. Not yet enrolled? Go to Step 2 to enroll. The maps included here are for general information only.
Many students use their summer camp experience with iD Tech Camps to explore colleges that they’re interested in attending in the future. Learn on campus, eat in the dining halls and ages 10+ can even stay overnight (at most campuses).
We have chosen Cal Lutheran to host our summer computer camps for kids in Southern California because of its up-and-coming status among top schools in the West and its beautiful location in Ventura County. Thousand Oaks is rated the safest city of its size in America according to FBI statistics, and the university is conveniently located less than an hour away from Los Angeles International Airport. Students have the opportunity to gain the university experience in the comfort of a small summer camp setting.
When not in class, students will have plenty of time to enjoy the perfect Southern California weather! CLU is the perfect option for our multiple Southern California summer computer camps. Our computer camp at CLU is a day camp only. For the ultimate overnight computer camp experience, please check out our other Los Angeles summer camps.
Cal Lutheran University
It’s no surprise if you’ve studied at Cal Lutheran, but the U.S. News & World Report routinely ranks the university one of the top 20 schools in the western U.S. The school hopes to round out the top 15 shortly. The location in Thousand Oaks is perfect for students looking for an intimate summer camp setting in Southern California.
Cal Lutheran University Facts
Mascot: Kingsmen (men), Regals (women)
Founded: 1959
Cal Lutheran University Academics: A progressive liberal arts institution, Cal Lutheran offers 36 academic majors and 31 minors and allows students to earn a Bachelor’s of Arts degree or a Bachelor’s of Science degree, depending on their field of study.
Student Population: Cal Lutheran University has approximately 2,124 undergraduate and 1,174 graduate students and pushes to increase diversity among their 3,298 total students by maintaining close ties with several foreign organizations, and hosting exchange students from a number of different nations. A large number of students come in from nearby Arizona and Colorado, along with students who come in from Washington, Hawaii and Minnesota.
Rankings: In 2007, among all American Western Universities (including states ranging from Texas to Alaska), Cal Lutheran University was ranked 17th in terms of schools for students to obtain a master’s degree.
Athletics: CLU plays as part of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and is a member of the NCAA at the Division III level. They currently offer the following intercollegiate sports played on campus: baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis, cross country, soccer, swimming, track and field, and water polo for the men and basketball, softball, soccer, cross country, swimming, tennis, volleyball, track and field, and water polo for the women.Meals
All meals are included with our overnight and extended day programs. Day campers have the option of purchasing the lunch plan or bringing a sack lunch. The lunch plan is recommended, but not mandatory. If the lunch plan is purchased, lunch is provided Monday-Friday. Many university dining facilities do not permit outside food to be brought into the dining hall; students bringing bag lunches may eat outside of the dining hall with their classmates and instructors.
Maps/Carpool
See maps and driving directions in My Account for detailed directions on how to get to our exact location on campus. Want to Carpool? Go green and save some green when you carpool to camp! Sign up for our Carpool app in My Account to see the other families in your area that are interested in carpooling.
8:1 Staff Ratio Guarantee
iD Guarantee - Small Class Sizes
We guarantee ridiculously small class sizes, with a maximum of 8 students per instructor. Why? Because our teaching philosophy is premised on personalization - your path, at your pace. iD's passionate, adult-only instructors guide students through customized curriculum with 1-on-1 teaching. The immersive environment (typically 5, 6, 7 or 8 students - but never more than 8 per instructor) is ideal for fostering creativity. Read more about the 8:1 iD Guarantee.
Adult-Only Instructors
iD Tech Camps recruits energetic, adult-only instructors to teach our technology courses and supervise our students. Our summer staff is passionate about technology. We do not cut corners by employing Counselors-in-Training. We recruit from top colleges and universities to find staff with great credentials in game development, filmmaking, web design, programming, photography, etc.
Personalized Instruction
Most courses are beginner through advanced. Our innovative curriculum is premised on a blended learning strategy. Students receive blended (or hybrid) instruction through use of the brand new iD Game Plan engine along with live 1-on-1 instruction from our team of educators. Our approach allows students to move along at an appropriate, customized pace.
Project-Based Curriculum
We encourage a hands-on, experiential approach to technology; students learn by doing. Each student is provided with a computer and works with the same products that professionals use in their fields. Students complete a project showing off their new technology skills. By focusing on practical skill development of STEM topics (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) iD prepares students to take their new tech knowledge back into the real world.
Staff at this Location
Meet some of the amazing instructors that have taught at Cal Lutheran University over the years.
- “G”: G has over 6 years of experience teaching with iD Tech Camps at CLU, having progressed through the ranks to become camp director. Outside of camp, he just finished his 10th year at Oaks Christian School teaching computers and technology classes, and coaching water polo and swimming. His favorite part of camp is watching his instructors get a face full of shaving cream during Family Showcase.
- “Emerald”: Emerald is an electronic artist, making everything from light sculptures to video games. He dabbles in design and fabrications, for digital fun and machine play. He is a returning instructor with over 3 years of experience, and he designed the curriculum for the Game Design for iPhone & iPad class. He will be studying Mechatronics in an MFA program in California this fall.
- “Snarf”: Snarf holds a B.A. in Multimedia Game Design and a B.S. in SWE Game Programming from the University of Advancing Technology. When he’s not tower rushing Night Elves, Snarf enjoys creating content for a digitally driven world. His past projects include game prototypes with C++, developing an e-commerce website, and creating levels for UT3, HL2, NWN2 and WarCraft 3. Using his past project experience, Snarf loves to inspire and teach iD Tech Camps students.
Safety & Peace of Mind
Risk Management
Adult staff and instructors supervise all activities. iD has a policy of never using Counselors-in-Training (CITs).
American Camp Association® Accreditation
iD Tech Camps is accredited by the ACA at multiple locations, meaning we have met over 300 health and safety requirements. All camps follow ACA guidelines.
Background Checks
We conduct criminal background checks, sexual offender background checks, multiple reference checks and identification checks on all summer staff.
CPR & First Aid
All camps have Directors and Staff that are CPR and First Aid Certified.
Sample Week
A typical day varies depending on session and location, but it might look something like this:
SUNDAY MONDAY - THURSDAY FRIDAY 7:30 am
Extended Day Campers – Check In
Overnight & Extended Day Campers - Breakfast8 am
Day Campers - Drop Off & Arrival Activities
9 am
Welcome & Opening Activity
Finesse Projects to Gold Version
9:30 am
Instruction – Jump on the computers!
10 am
11 am
Friday Activity
12 pm
Lunch – Overnight and Extended Day Campers eat in the campus dining hall. Day Campers can choose to bring a bag lunch or purchase the meal plan.
Picnic Lunch
Raffle
1 pm
Instruction – Back to the labs, woo hoo!
Showcase Prep
2 pm
2:30 pm
Techtivities – Ultimate Frisbee? Apples to Apples anyone? Gaming tournaments? We’ve got it all!
3 pm
Family Showcase*
3:30 pm
Instruction – Back to the labs!
4 pm
All campers - Check Out
5 pm
Day Campers - Pick Up & Closing Activities
Overnight & Extended Day Campers – Open Lab/Free TimeUltimate Gaming Weekends – Option available at select locations.
5:30 pm
6 pm
Overnight Campers - Check In
Dinner
6:30 pm
Welcome
Evening Activity - Movie Nights, Local Outings, Gaming Tournaments & more!
7 pm
Dinner
Extended Day Campers – Pick Up
7:30 pm
Evening Activity
Evening Activity – cont’d.
8 pm
8:30 pm
Drills
9 pm
Chillax
10 pm
PreTeen Lights Out
11 pm
Good Night Teens
Off-Computer Camp Activities
Students spend approximately 5 hours on the computer each day. iD Tech Camps is careful to balance technology and fun - giving students Tech-Reation time. When they're not on the computer, students participate in fun summer activities like organized sports, gaming tournaments, and more.
Family Showcase
Every Friday afternoon, we invite parents and friends to come and experience iD Tech Camps. See the labs where students learn, explore campus, meet our staff, applaud students' course projects and attend the personalized diploma ceremony. *At Stanford, Pre-Teen Family Showcase: 2:30 - 3:30 PM, Teen Family Showcase: 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Hours/ Camp Options
Day Camp - Day Camp runs Monday through Friday, with drop off between 8 - 9:00 am and pick up between 5 - 6:00 pm (3 - 5:00 pm on Fridays, varies by site).
Extended Day - Extended Day Camp runs Monday through Friday, with check-in between 7:30 am and pick up at 7:00 pm (3 - 5:00 pm on Fridays, varies by site).
Overnight Options - Overnight camps are available at most locations for students ages 10 and up. Overnight camp runs Sunday through Friday, with check-in between 5 - 6:00 pm on Sunday and pick-up at 3 - 5:00 pm on Friday (varies by site).
Ultimate Gaming Weekends - Stay the weekend and game with us. UGW is fully-supervised and includes housing, meals and supervision. It is available at the end of an Overnight Camp week or as a bridge between two consecutive weeks of Overnight Camp. Not available at all locations.Attention CLU Teens!
Our summer camps in California at Cal Lutheran University just got even cooler for our teen students. We have specialized teen activities including free time to hang out, movie nights, extra project time, and as always, plenty of gaming. Check out our other cool teen-only programs like the iD Gaming Academy, iD Programming Academy, iD Visual Arts Academy and Ultimate Gaming Weekends (offered at select locations).
iD in the News
Cal Lutheran University News
Video Game Summer Camps Double in U.S. - Article as Appeared on Patch.com
Apr 23rd, 2013
Best of Summer Camp Photos 7.6.12
Jul 6th, 2012
Watch iD Tech Camps on NBC's Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda!
Apr 12th, 2012
As appeared in the Santa Barbara Independent - article about our UCSB summer camps
Aug 2nd, 2011
As appeared in the Acorn Newspapers - article about our summer camps in Thousand Oaks
Jul 21st, 2011
Testimonials From Cal Lutheran University
What Parents Are Saying
“The camp staff was outstanding…my son was the youngest in class, but it was obvious that his instructor went over and above in working with him. He learned a lot. I was concerned with safety going in, but felt extremely comfortable due to the staff. Thank you. Chuck M., parent, Cal Lutheran University
“My son spends a lot of time on his computer at home and he is fairly knowledgeable with computer games. I thought it might be a challenge to keep him interested. This was not the case as he enjoyed the class, and was interested and excited about all the new skills he learned! Barry V., parent, Cal Lutheran University
“This was an excellent introduction to programming. The Camp is well run, organized, and my son liked the instructor and other students. He definitely wants to return for another session. Greg H., parent, Cal Lutheran University
“Awesome experience for my son. He wanted to take the take the same camp all over again just so that he could learn even more. Lauri M., parent, Cal Lutheran University
“For the 2nd year, my son loved the camp and felt proud of his work! Andrea P., parent, Cal Lutheran University
What Campers Are Saying
“I had lots of fun modding and now I can now show all my friends! Grayson A., student, Cal Lutheran University
“Camp was excellent! I had a blast and will remember this experience for the rest of my life. Cayden P., student, Cal Lutheran University
“All of my instructors were awesome! I had a great time and learned so much! I hope to do it again next year! Marcus S., student, Cal Lutheran University
“My instructor was awesome. He was great with adapting the curriculum so that everybody in the group learned at their own pace and skill level. For the advanced students, he would teach what we wanted without requiring us to stick to the typical curriculum, and taught the basic students at the same time. Joshua L., student, Cal Lutheran University
“I really enjoyed the camp and certainly learned a lot about Dreamweaver and Flash this week! Thank you! Tyler H., student, Cal Lutheran University
Frequently Asked Questions
What courses are offered at this location?
Go to Step 2.When does camp start?
See Step 2 for the dates of our weeklong university summer computer camps.How much does camp cost?
The cost of tuition varies depending on the course, location and camp option that you choose. Basic Day Camp ranges from $779 to $999 per weeklong course. There are additional costs for program add-ons including lunch, overnight camp, and weekend stays.How can I save on tuition?
There are many ways for you to save!- Register early to take advantage of our seasonal promotions.
- Refer-a-Friend and you and your friend both save $50.
- Sign up for multiple weeks to save $50 off each additional week.
- Register multiple siblings and save $50 for each sibling.
Do you offer financial aid?
iD Tech Camps is proud to offer tuition assistance for families who qualify. Application deadlines are announced each year in the Spring.What is your cancellation policy?
Balance payments, less the non-refundable deposit, are refundable up until 3 weeks prior to the start of the confirmed camp week/session. No refunds will be issued for cancellations or withdrawals within 3 weeks of the start of confirmed camp weeks/sessions. All cancellations must be made online in My Account or submitted in writing to the internalDrive Inc. office no later than 3 weeks prior to the start of camp. For more details, please see our Terms & Conditions.Does my child need to have a high computer IQ?
No, our courses are for beginner to advanced students. Because of our small ratios, instructors can work with students 1-on-1 and personalize the curriculum for each student's level.Should my child bring a personal laptop to camp?
No, students do not need to bring laptops to camp. We provide a computer for each student to use for the week. All materials necessary for the course will be provided.Do you have any teen programs?
Yes. We have weeklong teen-only courses at iD Tech Camps, plus two-week pre-college Teen Academies. iD Tech Camps is for ages 7-17, and our courses and activities are divided between teen courses and pre-teen courses. In some cases, teens and pre-teens will study in the same lab (but will not be mixed in the same class). Students will be supervised at all times, but we attempt to strike the right balance of independence. Teens enjoy extra privileges appropriate for their environment and maturity levels. Special Teen Scene activities include computer gaming tournaments and Gamingpalooza.iD also offers specialized iD Teen Academies in the topics of Game Design, Programming, Film and Photography at select locations across the country. These teen camps are intensive, two-week courses with tours of nearby industry hot spots and bi-weekly portfolio building workshops. See our iD Teen Academies page for more information.
How do I register? How do I contact you?
To register, find availability at the location you desire, and you'll be guided through the process. Registering online is the fastest way to get into camp. Or, you can phone us at 1-888-709-TECH (8324) or 1-408-871-2227. You can also email us at info@internalDrive.com. And, if you'd like a brochure sent to you, please click the brochure link.
