do something BIG!
Meet Carter
Carter applied the values he learned with the project-based curriculum at iD Tech Camps to his personal goals, and now at age 11 he is one of the youngest certified iLife® Associates for Apple®. The certification process took him an entire summer of self-regulated studying. Luckily, the attention to detail and emphasis on project completion that he experienced during his time at iD’s summer camp at Stanford really helped keep him focused. Now he’s an “expert” with proven proficiency in the iLife suite of software, and can’t wait to return to iD summer programs in the future.
iD: What courses have you taken at iD Tech Camps?
Carter: I attended my first two sessions during the summer of 2010 and took Web Design & Fencing as well as Game Modding – Warcraft® III & StarCraft®. I attended the program held at Stanford University, which is where I want to go to college! (I can find my way to the Jamba Juice® on campus!)
iD: What are your favorite things about our summer camp?
C: Besides the obvious, I had lots of fun outdoors and the teachers were insanely fun. I liked the web design course because I could work on any topic that I wanted instead of having to do an assigned topic like at regular school. You get a lot of creative freedom at camp. Plus you are with a lot of kids who like what you like.
iD: Tell us about becoming an Apple Certified Associate: why you wanted to do it, how attending iD Tech Camps helped you with the test, etc?
C: I did the Apple iLife Certified Associate program because I like challenges and my computer teacher at school said that I would learn a lot about iMovie®, Garage Band®, iWeb™ and iPhoto®.
After I decided to take on the project, iD Tech Camps kept me focused on the details. Class made me realize how important details are when you are creating anything on the computer, even at the beginning stages. I also learned that editing is one of the most important steps in creating the perfect website, movie or game.
I might not have finished the iLife book if the staff at iD Tech Camps hadn’t been so goal-oriented during class. But right before I started my 5th grade year, I completed the 60-minute online exam in only 15 minutes – and passed with flying colors. I’m actually one of the youngest certified iLife Associates Apple has ever had.
Now, I am using the computer skills I learned to create a special movie project for my GATE project at school! I am the only one creating a “news video,” while everyone else is doing a brochure or five-page PowerPoint®.
iD: Does coming to iD Tech Camps help you improve in other aspects of your life besides technology? Can you explain?
C: I think iD Tech Camps has helped me learn how other people live because you get a roommate and if you like them, you get to hang out with them. Also, overnight camp was great because I got to be more independent and had to do things for myself without my mom or dad telling me, like taking a shower. I loved the athletic activities because of all of the fun outdoor games, like Capture the Flag.
iD: Is iD Tech Camps a good place to make friends? Why?
C: It’s perfect because you get to hang out and play games with classmates, share your iPod® or your iPhone® with them, and be with a bunch of kids who share your interests. Also, everyone is really friendly and helps one another. You get to share a lot of great ideas too.
iD: What are your future goals? Will you be attending college?
C: I want to be the best Starcraft II map creator ever – which will be easier since I learned how to make a map during camp. I also want to make an iPod app to make money so that I can spend all summer at iD Tech Camps. My big plan for the future is to start a program to help kids in hospitals get access to video games then play with them remotely.
I want to go to Stanford for college – I loved staying in the dorms overnight, and I’ve become a Stanford fencing fan.
iD: Why do you keep coming back to iD Tech Camps?
C: I love it. It’s my home away from home. Even though it was my first experience away from my parents, I instantly adjusted to the dorm and campus life – and my energetic iD Tech Camps companions and counselors made the whole thing so much fun.
iD: Any advice for future iD Tech campers?
C: Have fun! Always try everything because even if it doesn’t seem fun at first, it always ends up that way. Oh yeah, and try to talk your parents into letting you go for as many weeks as possible!
Check out some of the cool courses Carter mentioned. Register early and do something BIG with iD this summer!
