STEM & STEAM Programs

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.