You are currently browsing the archives for the Summer Camps tag.
April 23rd, 2009 by: Pete
iD Nation,
We’re rounding the corner to Summer 2009. Our camps are thriving right now, and interest is at an all-time high for our summer computer camps. But what makes a camp unique? What makes iD Tech Camps unique? SImply put: It’s people. Check out a few of the cool photos from a few of the very cool and creative people that are responsible for bringing iD Tech Camps to you.
A company that celebrates its employees is a company that thrives.
From our team of Regional Managers, Client Services Representatives, Admin folks, Field Services, IT and Marketing…the best team in the camp business is counting down the days until summer. We are ready for an amazing summer. Climb aboard!
-Pete
April 23rd, 2009 | Tags: computer camp, computer camps, summer camp, Summer Camps
Posted in: CEO's Blog, Summer Camps
April 10th, 2009 by: Pete
Don’t get me wrong, I love running summer camps, but my wife gave me the night off last night and I hit Blowfish Sushi with DJ Roque (one of our awesome new client services representatives at iD Tech Camps).
Roque let me take over the tables and taught me a lot about music and the industry. Heck, we run a summer camp, so I hope I know how to have some fun. I must say, the crowd was hopping and the transitions were pretty smooth. Roque was nervous at first-especially after about 30 people left the place (it was like a small exodus) but my natural Maltese-Irish-American rhythm was on display and it’s something you either have, or you don’t. I quickly hit my groove, and even Roque decided to get up and dance. “Play that funky music, Pete Boy” the crowd chanted. I turned it up and the rest was history. Or infamy.
Roque sent out a few pics to the company this AM and here are a few comments. Thanks for your support, folks. Based on all the enthusiasm and fan support, you just might find me bringing down the house in a location near you! It feels good to be the first CEO / DJ ever at Blowfish Sushi. We did make history.
“We need this on the blog, this is awesome!! Great pic!”
“Get down Pete! You look like a natural!”
“DJ PETE ROCK specializes in providing professional services for a variety of special events from Wedding Receptions, School Dances, Corporate Events & Private Parties!”
“So I guess this means you’ll be officiating, cooking and dj-ing at our wedding. Sweet! What other hidden talents do you have that I can utilize?”
“And Barack thought he was cool! Ha!”
“Did you just get out of jail?”
“Who dresses you?”
“You are totally faking it.”
“When you started, there were 100 people on the dance floor. Three minutes into it, I thought they had closed the club. But the cleaning crew appreciated getting out of there early.”
It is all about the Facial Expressions
You got it or you don't
April 10th, 2009 | Tags: music dj, summer camp, Summer Camps, tech camp, tech ceo
Posted in: CEO's Blog
March 17th, 2009 by: Pete
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Nina started the day off right by playing a jig/reel every hour on the hour from the hallway. You should have heard this place! The only time things went silent today was when Nina had to sneak off to the dentist.
Nina playing a jig
Not to be outdone, we had two of iD Tech Camps new Client Services representatives get into the spirit as well! Side note, I checked back in with them at 4:45PM today and they still had their hats on. Good stuff, guys! This proves you can work, have fun, and still run the best summer computer camps in the country. Keep it up team!
The CS Team is into it!
Janine and Roque showing their spirit
March 17th, 2009 | Tags: computer camps, summer camp, Summer Camps
Posted in: CEO's Blog
March 3rd, 2009 by: Pete
Media Contacts:
iD Tech Camps: Karen Thurm Safran, 408-666-8353
For Immediate Release
Choosing a Summer Camp? Bet on Quality this Year
The summer camp industry, like the rest of the country, is facing serious challenges this year. Choosing the right camp can be grueling for parents and kids alike. The good news is there are thousands of camps out there, seemingly a buffet of options that meet every need, fill every niche, and can accommodate most any budget. Video Game Camp? Check. Golf Camp? Check. Technology Camp? Spanish Camp? Day Camp? Sleep Away Camp? Check, check, check and check.
Two of the country’s largest summer camp operators are headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. US Sports Camps, the official operator of NIKE Sports Camps, is headquartered in San Rafael, California. The camp offers hundreds of programs nationwide. iD Tech Camps, headquartered about an hour south in the Silicon Valley, runs its summer camps at over 60 prestigious universities nationwide including Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA and MIT. The company teaches technologies from Adobe®, Apple®, Microsoft® and others. These two camp businesses have been running summer camps for over thirty and ten years, respectively.
The president of US Sports Camps, Steve Pence, and the president of iD Tech Camps, Pete Ingram-Cauchi, meet a couple times a year over lunch at Perry’s in San Francisco. They compare notes and industry trends.
Ingram-Cauchi, obligatory Blackberry in hand, commented, “To our surprise, this year is actually shaping up to be better than we had hoped. We’re seeing growth at almost all locations. Parents want to give their kids a leg up—and camp is a definite way to do that.”
Pence, dressed in his Nike golf polo, had a similar upbeat response. “We’ve been running camps for over 30 years. “We’re seeing a strong trend in registrations. Parents want quality, and that’s why they look for camps with established track records.”
In difficult economic times, both Ingram-Cauchi and Pence are betting that there will be a flight to quality, just like many investors are betting on the big blue chip companies that have longstanding track records.
The summer camp industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, but many small camp operators are bracing for a tough year. Clearly, there is debate out there as to just how discretionary summer camps are in a family’s budget.
“We think parents want to invest in their kids, and they want the best programs out there,” said Ingram-Cauchi. “Summer camps, by nature, are an investment in the future. Kids learn new skills. It’s one of the last things to cut from the budget. “ But Ingram-Cauchi is still trying to get creative and be sensitive to the fact that a lot of families are tightening their belts. One of the things iD Tech Camps has done is to allow parents to pay a $200 deposit, as opposed to asking for all the tuition up front. “This allows parents to spread the cost of camp out over several months. This has been very well received,” said Ingram-Cauchi. Mr. Pence is doing something similar by offering a $250 deposit option.
Across the street from iD Tech Camps is a smaller camp operator called “Let’s Play in Spanish.” The camp, operated by Chris and Susy Dorn, has built a loyal following by offering great service and a unique offering. “We can’t complain about our numbers,” said Dorn. “Parents know we’ve been around awhile—and that means something right now. Nobody wants to waste money.”
The three camp operators are clearly engaged in the camp microcosm. “We’re in the greatest industry in the world, “said Mr. Pence. “We impact the future.”
The optimism on display with these three summer camp operators is palpable. When you talk to them, you get the sense that better days are just around the corner. That’s welcome news against the constant backdrop of negative economic information.
About iD Tech Camps
iD Tech Camps, www.internalDrive.com, headquartered in Campbell, California (in the Silicon Valley), is America’s Largest Technology Camp and teaches technologies from Adobe, Apple, Microsoft and others, to ages 7-18 . It was founded in 1999 with the mission of delivering the finest technology instruction to young students at America’s finest colleges and universities, including Stanford, UCLA, MIT and UT Austin. During the summer of 2008, more than 15,000 campers attended iD Tech Camps at 50 locations nationwide. The company also provides three teen programs: iD Gaming Academy, iD Film Academy and iD Programming Academy.
About US Sports Camps
US Sports Camps (USSC), www.USSportsCamps.com, headquartered in San Rafael, California (just north of San Francisco), is America’s Largest Sports Camp Network and the licensed operator of The NIKE Sports Camps. It was started in 1975 with the same mission that defines it today: to shape a lifelong enjoyment of athletics through high quality sports education and skill enhancement. By partnering with the country’s best coaches to direct our camps and by providing them with valuable administrative and marketing support, USSC has become the largest and most successful sports camp operator in America. During the summer of 2008 more than 52,000 campers attended US Sports Camps at 400 locations nationwide.
March 3rd, 2009 | Tags: iD Tech Camps, NIKE Sports Camps, Summer Camps
Posted in: CEO's Blog, iD In The News
January 29th, 2009 by: Donna
Following up on our previous “Do Something Big” post about our camper-turned-programming-prodigy, Ian Cinnamon, let’s take a closer look at another iD Alumni that has gone on to do big things after camp – Annie Evans!
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!
January 29th, 2009 | Tags: girls camp, girls summer camp, Summer Camps
Posted in: do something BIG
December 1st, 2008 by: Donna
—————————————————
For Immediate Release
Contact: Donna Pianka, iD Tech Camps
408.871.3734 or donna@internaldrive.com
Interested in Graphic Arts and Graphic Design?
With careers in technology and design reaching an all-time high, kids and teens (and specifically, girls) are searching for creative ways to learn more about these industries. The fashion industry is exploding with new talent from designers. Shows like MTV’s The Hills are exposing a whole new generation to fashion design, from computer-aided design to merchandising.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for graphic artists and graphic designers is “expected to grow 10 percent as demand continues to increase from advertisers, publishers, computer design firms and the entertainment market.”
Recognizing a need for an introductory-level course in Graphic Arts, iD Tech Camps has expanded their course offerings to include a Graphic Arts camp for kids and teens ages 10-17 at various prestigious university locations.
“With both artistic and technological elements, this digital arts camp is one of a kind,” states Pete Ingram-Cauchi, President and CEO of iD Tech Camps. “We’re recognizing a need based on feedback and trends and turning it into a camp where students will not only have fun, but leave with a design portfolio that they’ve built at camp that they can keep building upon for school, college, or even a future career in graphic arts.”
With one-on-one instruction averaging six students per staff, industry professionals will open whole new worlds to students interested in graphic arts and design.
December 1st, 2008 | Tags: graphic arts, graphic design, Summer Camps
Posted in: iD Tech Camps
November 14th, 2008 by: Pete
—————————————————
For Immediate Release
Contact: Donna Pianka, iD Tech Camps
408.871.3734 or donna@internaldrive.com
Does Your Summer Camp Have ACA Credentials?
Each summer, parents send their kids off for a week or more of summer fun at various summer camps for kids and teens throughout the United States. What’s the top concern for parents? Most say “safety.”
Lori Shipley was looking for a sense of security in a cool summer computer camp environment for her son when she found out about iD Tech Camps, the nation’s largest technology camp. iD Tech Camps has been in operation since 1999 and has over sixty camps across the U.S. and Canada at America’s elite universities. iD Tech Camps provided the track record, reputation and credentials she was looking for. Beyond using state-of-the-art technology to create websites with Flash, film and edit digital movies, design video games, or learn to program in C++ or Java—she also wanted to make sure that the mental and physical well-being of her son was a major priority for the camp.
“This was a great camp,” said Mrs. Shipley. “Everyone was very responsive to any questions we had and it was very safety-conscious. Since my son was only 7, I was a bit concerned about how he’d do, but he did great and loved it! Safety of campers is definitely iD Tech Camps’ main concern—and it shows.”
In 2001, iD Tech Camps voluntarily sought to be accredited by the authority in the camp industry, the American Camp Association, or ACA. Continuous, uninterrupted status of ACA Accreditation means being part of an elite group of summer camps for kids that pass over 300 criteria on health and safety.
“We follow ACA guidelines at each of our summer camps,” said Pete Ingram-Cauchi, CEO of iD Tech Camps. “Being ACA Accredited is a big piece of the risk-management puzzle. We have thousands of kids and teens who pass through our program each season, and we’ve been extremely successful in reducing risk—which makes our parents very happy. I’m a parent too—I know what it’s like to drop off my kids in the care of someone else. You need to know that they are prepared.”
Moving into their 11th camp season, iD Tech Camps is one of the only summer camps for kids and teens that boasts eight straight years of American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation.
Some aspects of camp that are evaluated and must meet very high standards in order to receive ACA Accreditation include:
-Parent Notification Procedures
-First Aid, CPR, and Emergency Care
-Sanitization Procedures
-Medication Management
-Staff Training and more…
“Our hiring process is one of the most strict I’ve seen in the entire summer camp industry,” explains Kate DeHart, Human Resources Manager at iD Tech Camps. “We hire adult-only staff and we conduct criminal background checks, multiple reference checks and require valid CPR certification and in-person training of our staff members. We work with risk management specialists and work hard to anticipate problems before they even arise. That’s no small feat!”
If you would like to find out more about the ACA, please visit www.acacamps.org or for more information about the ACA Accreditation of iD Tech Camps, please click here.
November 14th, 2008 | Tags: Summer Camps
Posted in: iD In The News
