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Kids at Carson City Computer Corps gain knowledge — and a brand new computer — during summer camp
by Kelsey Penrose
For 20 years, Carson City’s Computer Corps has been teaching kids about technology: Everything from how a motherboard functions, to the mysteries of how the internet functions.
The camp hosts three sessions throughout the summer with 16 campers in each session.
“The purpose of the camp is to bridge the divide for kids, to make them ready for the technological world and take away the fear of computers,” said camp director Christy Ramsey.
Throughout the two-week camp, campers will tear apart technology — literally.
“We have them take apart everything down to the wires to find out how it runs, and try to have them build it back up,” Ramsey said.
Learning about technology isn’t boring though, at least not at tech camp. In addition to lectures, campers learn through play, whether it’s running a relay race to explain how the internet works, to making chaotic, emergency computer “repairs,” to forming into a team to “become” a hard drive.
The camp also teaches confidence in addition to tech.
“Each camper will make a powerpoint presentation about a passion of theirs,” Ramsey said. “It can be anything; art, horses, sports. Then they present it to the rest of camp and explain why the other kids should love it, too. We want them to get used to speaking in front of other people, and to take the fear out of it.”
The camp also instills something many parents care about: internet safety.
Campers learn about everything from malware and viruses, to understanding that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are.
“The point is to demystify technology,” Ramsey said. “There’s nothing scary in a computer once they realize it’s not a magic box.”
The camp also helps campers achieve their future goals; since its inception, many of the Computer Corps campers have gone on to work in tech.
“It’s a bit self-selecting though,” Ramsey said with a laugh. “If a kid wants to give up two weeks of playing outside during summer to learn about computers, they’re more likely going to end up in the tech route.”
The cost for the two-week camp is $500, which includes the full computer system and software at the end of the program that students take home.
Ramsey understands it can be pricey for families, however, and there are partial scholarships available.
Computer Corps is also always looking for camp sponsors to help make sure that families who have less funds can still break through the divide.
The camp spots are filling up quickly, with the first about 80 percent full, so families are encouraged to sign up now to reserve their spots.
The dates for TechCamp 2024 are as follows:
TechCamp Alpha June 17-28
TechCamp Bravo July 8-19
TechCamp Charlie July 29 to August 9Camp is Monday through Friday from 1:30 p.m to 4:30 p.m.
The last day of camp there is a graduation dinner and a release of the computers at 5:30 p.m.
Visit https://www.computercorps.org/2024/04/04/techcamp-summer-2024-registrati… to learn more about the camp and Computer Corps.
Originally published on CarsonNow.org: https://www.carsonnow.org/story/06/04/2024/kids-carson-city-computer-corps-gain-knowledge-and-brand-new-computer-during-summer
