With Memorial Day behind us and plenty of end of the year activities scheduled over the next couple weeks, it finally seems like summer is truly around the corner. Each year my strategy for summer is the same- a couple weeks of camp for both kids, a lot of pool and outdoor time, a family vacation thrown in there somewhere, and weeks where we just let our moods dictate what we’re going to do each day.
I love that between our scheduled activities there is time for each child to pursue something that is of interest to them. This year while her brother is attending a gross science camp, Emily will be taking her coding skills to the next level at the free YouthSpark Summer Camp at our local Microsoft store.
An avid coder who already knows how to create games in Python, my husband and I had been on the hunt for a camp for Emily that would continue to develop her love of coding but nothing I was finding was quite right. I was feeling a bit Goldilocks-like in our hunt: the ones that I found were either too far, too short, too expensive, too easy, not offered during the weeks she was free, or not teaching her the right skills. Sigh.
It took a trip to Seattle to visit Microsoft for the #ChampionsSummit to remind me that their YouthSpark Summer Camps were exactly what I had been looking for.
About YouthSpark Summer Camp
Offered throughout the summer, the two hour YouthSpark Summer Camps are designed for kids with a budding interest in coding and those with a bit of experience. Smart Game Coding and Smart Game Design are both offered for beginners (ages 8-11) and intermediate coders (ages 11+). Game Coding and Game Design provide kids with hands-on experience as they learn to code, create games, and use their creativity and imagination during two hour sessions offered on four consecutive days of camp.
This summer Emily will be experiencing both the intermediate Smart Game Coding and Smart Game Design. From the descriptions, both sound perfect for her and I’m glad to have something free, close, and fits in her summer schedule that will continue to develop her interest in coding.
How to Find & Sign Up for YouthSpark Camps
For more information or to find when YouthSpark camps near you, visit the YouthSpark Summer Camp page, scroll to the bottom of the page to find your state, and click to find the locations of nearby Microsoft stores that are offering YouthSpark camps.
As a member of #WindowsChamps I receive products for review and am a compensated member of #OfficeChamps. Microsoft paid for my expenses to attend the #ChampionsSummit but all opinions are my own. Images courtesy of Microsoft.
I’m so glad you covered this, because it was one of my favorite parts of our trip.
It’s crazy that coding isn’t taught as a language requirement in our schools!
Leticia this is beyond cool and I will definitely find my nearest Microsoft store to take the kids.