Students Get Online Minecraft Camp Opportunity
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/21/20
Nonprofit
Connected
Camps
has structured online summer
camp programs.
Almost all involve the use of Minecraft. This isn't the
organization's first foray into online summer camps; more than 10,000
young people have participated in its programs over the last five
years.
The
programs will combine hands-on activities with free play time in a
social setting, with guided lessons and peer mentoring. Connected
Camps follows the same format as in-person camps by relying on a
corps of "young, relatable and thoroughly trained"
counselors and coaches from university programs in computer science,
game development, economics, sports performance and design. All have
had background checks and emphasize safe online practices with their
camp charges.
The
camps are available in co-ed and girls-only formats. They run for
five days, 90 minutes a day, from Jun. 1 through Aug. 14, 2020.
Options include:
-
Animation
or theater camp (using Minecraft);
-
Architecture,
paleontology or Roman history (using Minecraft);
-
Coding,
engineering, game design (using Minecraft or Roblox);
-
Animation
and video creation (using Minecraft); and
-
Fortnite,
League of Legends and Rocket League.
Programs
are $65 to $100 for week-long camps, $60 to $140 for longer camps.
For
students (or their parents) who can't wait until then, the
organization is already running free Minecraft club programs.
The
ConnectedCraft
Minecraft Server,
for students ages 14 to 17, provides a free, safe, online space to
build, create and hang out with others teens. That's open already and
runs Wednesday through Friday, between 1 and 3 p.m. Pacific time; and
on weekends between 1 and 5 p.m. Registration
is required.
Kid
Club
is a free, safe Minecraft server open to students ages 8 to 13. It’s
also a moderated online community where participants can do
unstructured play, collaborate with friends and deepen their
knowledge of Minecraft. That runs Mondays through Thursdays, from 11
a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific time, and Fridays through Sundays, from 1 to 5
p.m.
About the Author
Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.