From social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to online gaming and news-gathering services, computer programming plays an important role in how we interact with the world around us. And because technology is advancing at a breakneck pace, it’s important to teach the youngest generation about the benefits, risks, and uses of coding and computer literacy. So it’s no surprise that many families are starting to consider the value of computer classes for their kids. Inspired by the recent YouTube video that features some digital leaders, like Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Jack Dorsey of Twitter, recalling how they got their start in the technical world, we decided to look into local children’s computer classes.
Today, only 1 in 10 schools offer coding courses to their students. To help spread computer literacy in New York City and get parents thinking about signing their kids up for computer classes, we’ve assembled a list of local resources for elementary and high school students.
Digital Media Academy
[Ages 6-18]
The Digital Media Academy was created in 2001 and has since become one of the top technology camps in the country. DMA offers “Adventures” day camps from 9am-5pm for children ages 6-12, and one-week to two-week overnight camps for teens. All courses are designed and taught by seasoned professionals and professors in their given field, and camps are located nationwide. The closest programs to city children are Concordia College – New York and Marymount Manhattan. Some of the courses offered are: digital film and music, game design, photograph and art design, 3D modeling, and animation.
Emagination Computer Camps
[Ages 8-17]
Emagination Computer Camps was founded in 1982 and has locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Emagination offers day camps as well as two-week overnight camps that blend traditional summer camp activities with computer programming passions. Because of the program length, campers in the two-week camp take three digital workshops that allow them to gain broader and deeper understandings of computers, coding, and programming. Workshops include: 3D animation, IApps programming, game design, web design, IMovie, and more.
ID Tech Camps and Academic Courses
[Ages 7-18]
ID Tech Camp was established in 1999 and is one of the most popular technology camps for children nationwide. Held at university campuses across the country, ID Tech Camp offers children ages 7-17 summer day camps, week-long camps and overnight camps, as well as academic courses to children ages 13-18. Topics covered include: game design, application programming, web design, and animation, to name a few.
Inventgenuity Workshops
[Ages 8-16]
Located in Brooklyn, Inventgenuity Workshops blend creativity with technology in some highly compelling ways. At their afterschool programs, children can take courses like Beginner Arduino, Laptop Teardown/Rebuild, and other electronics and tech focused instruction. The program is part of the Beam Center non-profit and is brand new to the kids classes scene!
National Computer Camps
[Ages 7-18]
National Computer Camps, located in Milford, Connecticut, was founded in 1977 as a morning and day camp for children, and offers affordable education in computer literacy and design. They now have residential camps for children who are out-of-state as well as week long day programs for children nearby. Campers can choose one of nine courses for each week that they attend the camp, including: video game design, computer languages, Android app programming, and video production.
RoboFun
[Ages 5-12]
The local RoboFun offers all kinds of interactive classes and programs for technologically inclined kids. Through afterschool clubs, private lessons, classes, and workshops, even birthday parties, RoboFun will teach little ones Scratch Video Game Design and Animation through project-based methods and hands-on problem solving. School vacation and summer camps also available.
Summer Tech Camp
[Ages 8-16]
Summer Tech Camp offers great skills in coding, animation, and web curriculum. Located just an hour outside of the city, it’s a great escape for children who want to attend day or overnight summer programs. Summer Tech offers five areas of focus, from which children can choose based on their interests. Courses include: coding, flash animation, web design, video edition, and a “semester” course that consists of coding, flash and web combined!
The Techno Team
[Ages 3-11]
The Techno Team provides small group environments for kids computer classes at Reebok Sports Club/NY on the Upper West Side. Children learn basic computer skills, simple software, multimedia development, and Internet usage. Their Programming Possibilities course is 15 weeks and teaches programming language and computer instruction sequences.
