Sample Daily Schedule

Cybercamps Academy is far from your typical computer camp. We'll teach you some amazing skills in game design, robotics, programming and graphic design using the latest technologies. But that's not the only thing that makes us the finest youth computer program in the country. We're also the most fun! Each day is jam-packed with the things tech-savvy kids want to do: work on their own projects, make new friends, and play all kinds of cool games.

Here's what a typical day at Cybercamps Academy might look like.

7 - 9 AM: If you're staying in our residential program, this is the time to crawl out of bed and jumpstart your brain with a hearty breakfast in the dining hall.

9 - 11 AM: Dive into the day! You'll be building your game, Web site, video, or other course project, at your own pace, on our state-of-the-art computers - with mentors to help you set goals and get over any rough spots. You might take a break for a Subject Meeting to get a broader view of the topic you're learning about. During these 30-45 minute workshops, you meet with staff and other students working on similar projects to share ideas.

11 AM: One day during the week, we'll make time for a new program called Giant Future, where we illustrate how technology is used in a variety of career fields and how computer skills can translate into highly regarded job skills. Participants will select a career that sounds compelling to them and spend an hour on a project or simulation within that career using industry programs and real data. It's another great example of how Cybercamps Academy goes way beyond what you'll find at most computer camps!

Lunch: Hit the campus eatery! Favorites include pizza, hamburgers, burritos and grilled cheese sandwiches, but don't worry, mom—salad bars, veggies, and fruits are available.

12:30 PM: Social and play time! Activities include soccer, Capture the Flag, Ultimate Frisbee, chess and card games. Sometimes it's just nice to relax in the shade and chat with new friends. You could also play a mind bender game of reason and logic or a whodunnit game of Mafia or Minute Mysteries.

1:00 PM: It's time for YouChoose.team, a set of team-based activities that mirror the real world work dynamic. Participants play roles such as director, actor, sound engineer, and editor and work together to produce creative content. Topics include machinima (a video game based character animation), podcasting (where a radio show is created), stop-motion animation (creating a video short like Gumby or claymation) and Cyber TV (where students create their own TV show.) You won't find these fun, yet practical learning opportunities at any other computer camp!

2:00 PM: Back to the lab! The rest of the afternoon is project time. You'll continue to work on projects you've selected from the courseware, but you'll also build totally unique creations that incorporate your new skills. There's always a helper on hand whenever you need one and you'll keep meeting with other participants to share ideas.

3:00 PM: One day during the week, we'll become more Cyber Savvy, discussing some hot-button topics in the tech world today: Web safety, network security and protecting your identity. We'll also play a fun role-playing game called Copyright Courtroom, where we make participants more aware of potential pitfalls when using resources to create their own multimedia projects. Just another way that we go deeper than your typical computer camp, giving kids skills that can be directly applied to their future career paths.

3:35 PM: Free lab time. (Ok, call it what it is...GAME TIME!) We also clean up, save files, upload projects to virtual storage so you can access them from home, and make sure everyone is at a good place to close up for the day. Of course you're free to keep working on your project - you won't be the only one who just can't stop!

5:00 PM: Time for participants to go home.

Dinner: For residential program and extended day participants, it's time to chow on some lasagna, garlic bread, and other satisfying munchies. Dinner is always the meal where they pull out all the stops. The dining hall has a variety of foods to suit all tastes - and the desserts aren't bad at all. (Nope, it's not as good as home cookin' - but you won't have to help with the dishes either.)

6 PM: Those in the residential program get back together for "participant-centered planning." This means you and your friends will set the schedule! Overnight groups tend to be older particpants and we know you want the power to make some choices for yourself. Overnighters might play sports or field games, have free lab time, or play X-Box or PlayStation games. Your group might choose to make a movie about your experience at Cybercamps Academy ! Some campuses have an arcade, others are safe for playing Flashlight Tag, and some have basketball or tennis courts. Once it's getting a bit late to be running around the campus, you'll head back and hang in the dorms till lights-out time. It is very common to have a movie night or play board games or cards… maybe just talk with new friends and the staff.

Special Programming: Here are a few Cybercamps Academy traditions:
  • Wild Wednesday Water Challenge - It's a combination of structured water team games mixed with a water-soaking melee! (You may bring your own WPDs - water propellant devices.)
  • Awards Ceremony - On Friday, we invite parents to come and see a project showcase and applaud the awards given out.
  • Robot Rivalries - Our robotics course often sparks competitions like Robot Beauty Contest, Robot Artwork, Timed Maze Navigation, Robot Wrestling, and occasionally even the Robot Balloon Drop Race.
  • Game Testing - Our game designers are always eager for beta-testers!
  • Movie Mania - We show off any videos created that week.
  • Campus Tour - Take a look around, visit the bookstore, check out the technology building and what's cool around the campus too.

Cybercamps is the coolest summer computer and technology camp for youth and teens. The Cybercamps summer computer camps are held at dozens of locations throughout the USA.