California Summer Camp Locations Summer Camps: Computer Camps held at Stanford University
Computer Camps held at Stanford University
- Camp Overview
- About This U & Maps
- Staff Ratio Guarantee
- Safety & Peace of Mind
- Sample Week
- In the News
- Testimonials
- FAQ
Computer Camps Held at Stanford University
iD Tech Camps (Ages 7-17) and iD Teen Academies (Ages 13-18)
The World’s #1 Tech Camp, grown in Silicon Valley!
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.
At Stanford, we offer three distinct programs: iD Tech Camps, iD Gaming Academy, and iD Programming Academy.
iD Tech Camps, Ages 7-17WEEKLONG | CO-ED | DAY CAMPS | OVERNIGHT CAMPS
COURSE TOPICS: VIDEO GAME DESIGN, PROGRAMMING, APPS, WEB DESIGN & MOREThis is our 14th season hosting our summer camps held at Stanford University. Our popular summer day camps and overnight camps at Stanford University are located in sunny Palo Alto, California. We strike the right balance between off-computer activities (creative games, sports, life skills, etc.) and essential cutting-edge technology education to foster STEM skill development (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
We cover cool topics from video game design to iPhone® app development, programming, video editing, web design, robotics and more. Most courses are for beginner to advanced learners. Learn the best brand name products from Adobe®, Apple®, Autodesk®, Google, Microsoft® and more. Ultimate Gaming Weekends serve as a bridge for overnight students attending multiple weeks.
Continue to Step 2 (iD Tech Camps) for Course Availability, Tuition & Dates or jump to the iD Gaming Academy, iD Programming Academy or iD Visual Arts Academy.
Additionally at Stanford University
iD Gaming Academy, Ages 13-18TWO-WEEKS | CO-ED | OVERNIGHT ONLY | TEEN-ONLY | INTENSIVE PRE-COLLEGE EXPERIENCE IN VIDEO GAME DEVELOPMENT
The iD Gaming Academy offers a 2–week intensive program in the dynamic worlds of game development, game programming, level design and 3D modeling. Academy courses are geared for beginner to advanced teens ages 13-18. Use industry-standard applications like Autodesk® Maya®, Adobe® Photoshop®, XNA® for the Xbox 360®, Unreal® Development Kit (UDK), and the Unity game development tool as part of our video game camp for teens. Ready to learn from top faculty, creating your own game development portfolio? You'll also tour a major game development studio.
iD Programming Academy, Ages 13-18TWO-WEEKS | CO-ED | OVERNIGHT ONLY | TEEN-ONLY | INTENSIVE PRE-COLLEGE EXPERIENCE IN COMPUTER PROGRAMMING & APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
The iD Programming Academy offers 2–week sessions of intensive study in computer science programming. Gain a deep understanding of application development–and a broader knowledge of how programming can be applied to the real world. The iD Programming Academy is perfect for students with previous programming experience who are looking to take their code to a whole different level.
More about iD and Stanford
We’re a family company located in the South Bay. We’ve been running our technology camps for 15 years, and we are committed to being the best – and improving every season. As the World’s #1 Summer Computer Camp and one of a handful of elite CA summer camps in the San Francisco Bay Area accredited by the American Camp Association, we comply with over 300 health and safety criteria. Summer kids camps and teen camps are designed for beginner-advanced learners. We have a large, established following at our Stanford University summer camps. Stanford University’s undergraduate program is ranked fourth among national universities by U.S. News and World Report and is ranked second among world universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s system.
About Stanford University
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).
Our Stanford University summer camp is famous for its beautiful campus and impressive facilities. The Stanford campus was designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed New York’s Central Park. Stanford University represents the best that higher education has to offer and has attracted the best and the brightest intellectual minds by offering an extensive selection of studies for over a century. Nestled in the ideal weather zone between the bay and the ocean, our Silicon Valley computer camps at Stanford University give students the opportunity to take in iD’s challenging programs while enjoying a culturally rich, collegiate atmosphere.
Stanford is roughly 30 miles from both San Jose International Airport and San Francisco International Airport. Both are a 20-30 minute drive. Alternately, you can take Cal Train to the Palo Alto stop.
Stanford University
Stanford University is one of the world’s most prestigious universities, with highly ranked graduate and undergraduate programs.
Stanford University Facts
Mascot: The Stanford Cardinal
Founded: 1891
Schools at Stanford University: Stanford University consists of 7 schools: School of Humanities and Sciences, School of Engineering, School of Earth Sciences, School of Education, Graduate School of Business, Stanford Law School and the Stanford University School of Medicine.
Student Population: Stanford has approximately 6,500 undergraduate, 1,000 professional, and 10,000 graduate students in 2008. The 4-year graduation rate is 79.4%, and the 6-year rate is 94.4%. The low 4-year graduation rate is a function of the University’s Co-Term program, which allows students to earn a master’s degree as an extension of their undergraduate term.
Rankings: Stanford University’s undergraduate program is ranked fourth among national universities by U.S. News and World Report. Stanford is ranked second among world universities and second among universities in the Americas by Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s system, seventeenth among world universities in the THES – QS World University Rankings, second among “global universities” by Newsweek, and in the first-tier among national universities by The Center for Measuring University Performance. The acceptance rates for all Stanford schools (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) are amongst the lowest (if not the lowest) in the United States.
Athletics: Stanford participates in the NCAA’s Division I-A and is a member of the Pacific-10 (Pac-10) Conference. It also participates in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation for indoor track (men and women), water polo (men and women), women’s gymnastics, women’s lacrosse, men’s gymnastics, and men’s volleyball. Women’s field hockey team is part of the NorPac Conference. Stanford’s traditional sports rival is the University of California, Berkeley, its neighbor to the north in the East Bay.
Distinguished Alumni and Personnel: Stanford alumni founded companies including Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, NVIDIA, SGI, VMware, MIPS Technologies, Yahoo!, Google, and Sun Microsystems. The Sun in Sun Microsystems originally stood for “Stanford University Network.” Stanford’s current community of scholars includes: 18 Nobel Prize laureates; 135 members of the National Academy of Sciences; 82 members of National Academy of Engineering; 224 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; 21 recipients of the National Medal of Science; three recipients of the National Medal of Technology; 26 members of the National Academy of Education; 41 members of American Philosophical Society; 4 Pulitzer Prize winners; 23 MacArthur Fellows; 7 Wolf Foundation Prize winners; 7 Koret Foundation Prize winners; 7 Presidential Medal of Freedom winners. NFL quarterbacks Jim Plunkett and John Elway, NFL receiver Gordon Banks, MLB left-fielder Carlos Quentin, Grand Slam winning tennis players (doubles) Bob and Mike Bryan, professional golfer Tiger Woods and U.S. President Herbert Hoover are alumni.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 Stanford University over the years.
- “Roxio”: Roxio is a multi-year veteran of both iD Tech Camps and iD Gaming Academy at Stanford. After graduating with a major in Animation from St. Clair College in Ontario, Canada, where she studied traditional and digital aspects of animation, Roxio continued her education at Animation Mentor, where she focused on character animation. She now runs an art and animation after school program at the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco and also freelances in animation and marketing.
- “Apple Jax”: Apple Jax is an experienced iD Tech Camps instructor who has taught at all of the various iD summer camp locations in the Bay Area. During the off-season, Apple Jax is an Electronics Engineer with Mirrocle Technologies, Inc, designing supporting electronics for micro-mirrors and laser technologies. Apple Jax enjoys photography and graphic design in his free time and aspires to become a sports photographer in the next few years.
- “Hurley”: Hurley has over 10 years of experience working with Adobe Photoshop, training in video production and film studies, and 8 years of experience working with kids. She has spent many years interacting with the education technology community, including assisting at the Silicon Valley iCue conference, presenting at the 2006 National Educational Computing Conference, and studying technology as used in language education in college. Hurley currently attends Mount Holyoke College studying Linguistics and Chinese.
- “Pandora”: Pandora is a returning instructor with iD Tech Camps. He helped develop the Adventures in Programming curriculum, which he usually teaches. During the off-season, Pandora attends Rutgers University located in Piscataway, New Jersey, working towards his bachelor’s degree in Computer/Electrical Engineering. In his spare time, he is always up for an adventurous bike ride.
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 Stanford Teens!
Our summer camps in California at Stanford 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
Stanford University News
Mar 25th, 2013
iD Tech Camps Featured on NPR's Marketplace!
Aug 2nd, 2012
Stanford Summer Camp Trains Kids in Tech - NBC News
Jul 9th, 2012
iD Tech Camps Gives Kids a New Way to Play - Article as Appeared in The Wall Street Journal Online
Jul 4th, 2012
Watch iD Tech Camps on NBC's Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda!
Apr 12th, 2012
Testimonials From Stanford University
What Parents Are Saying
“The instructors are just amazing – so motivating with pleasant intensity. My son came home from camp and worked and created at his computer until he went to bed. Throughout, a full success. THANK YOU. Heike H., parent, Stanford University
“Fantastic! Instructor quality is incredible and provides positive role modeling. My child shared each day’s learning in incredible detail with enthusiasm never before witnessed by any other interest. Bravo iD Tech Camps! Camilla M., parent, Stanford University
“My son told me he appreciated his instructor taking a very individual approach, which supported every student’s needs and maximized learning effects. This was awesome. Manuela W., parent, Stanford University
“My son has enjoyed his two years at iD Tech Camps very much! I appreciate the recommendations for next steps and classes. My son has enjoyed the increased challenges in his class this year. The instructors are very knowledgeable and love working with the children – thank you. It is nice to know he can learn so much during the week! It makes the cost of the camp worth it. Kathleen M., parent, Stanford University
What Campers Are Saying
“I had the greatest instructor in the world. I really enjoyed making games in this class – it was fun having my instructor struggle to win my games! He always answered my questions promptly. Anh P., student, Stanford University
“I have been attending iD Tech Camps for quite some time now, and have had many great teachers. My past week of camp was my first overnight camp and I had such a great instructor. She encouraged me on every step of my game, and was very patient with me and my many questions. She also encouraged me with my drawing after class too, and even offered to spend some time drawing on the tablet that transmits to the computer. Devin Y., student, Stanford University
“I thought that the camp was a ton of fun! The activities and projects were very fun to participate in! The directors are very friendly and really connect with each individual student, which makes our experience more fun! iD Tech Camps was awesome! Aashima G., student, Stanford University
“This week of camp was the best week of my life!! I had the best instructors ever who taught me so much that will definitely be useful later in life. I had a great time, and a TON of fun. I will definitely return next year. Natalie K., student, Stanford University
“iD Tech Camps was a great experience for me. Not only did I learn about making video games, I made a lot of great friends and memories. Overall iD Tech Camps is the best summer camp and I recommend it for anyone who loves a caring staff and learning during the summer. Angelo B., student, Stanford 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.
