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Techno-tainment
Camp FAQs
Frequently
Asked Questions
What is Techno-tainment Camp?
- Techno-tainment Camp is a place for
21st Century kids! Students who like to play video games,
entertain their friends, draw and paint, surf the web, and play
with cameras ARE OUR REGULARS at camp.
Techno-tainers use important technologies to create
entertainment for the next generation.
What do the children do all week?
- Depending
on their course selections, children may direct movies, design video
games, piece together music, produce animated websites, build
robots, produce podcasts, create 2D and 3D animated figures,
and/or develop multimedia presentations.
Children play with technology, and in the process, develop their analytical reasoning skills and technology
know-how.
Do the children only work on the computers all day?
- Whoa! No way!
It's summer! Techno-tainment Camp combines the best of all
sides to the summer experience: memorable new friendships,
creative endeavors and exhilarating fun and games outdoors!
Students average about four and a half hours of work time each
day spread out around surprise seminars, lunch, snack break, and
other activities.
I noticed most camps run 8:30am-4:30pm. Isn't that a
long day?
- You would think so, right?
In fact, most students would say the day is not long enough at
camp. Campers, counselors, and directors all share this
sad sentiment each day: "It's 4:30 already? How did that
happen?" We like to tell the campers this is just
like a real work day
(8 hours), and it seems to get them excited about entering the
work force someday!
Is each course at Techno-tainment Camp only one week long?
- Although
courses are designed to allow major productivity in a one week
period, students may enroll in the same course for as many weeks
as they would like, or take different courses each time through.
Because of the project-based curriculum and individualized
training, students can easily expand on new computer concepts in
the same course for more than one week. There is always
something new to learn in their field!
What if my child finishes all of the projects?
- As gifted
as we know children are with technology, Techno-tainment Camp
provides more project ideas than there is time in a summer.
There are always new concepts to master and new projects
to develop. Campers never run out of things to do with us.
Who are the instructors?
- Techno-tainment Camp is very proud of its highly-skilled,
friendly, fun and trained technology instructors. Each
instructor has worked with children extensively and studied
technology in various advanced fields.
When do the campers get breaks?
- Break times
at Techno-tainment Camp are mandatory and occur four times a
day. Two breaks are held outside the lab for fresh air,
sunshine and snacks, while the other two are for outdoor game
activities and lunch.
What do campers do about lunch?
- Campers are
required to bring a sack lunch each day of the camp week except
Fridays. Friday is our PIZZA PARTY! Snacks will be
provided every day as well.
How is the camp’s security?
- PlanetBravo’s Techno-tainment Camps are very safe and secure.
We purposely choose to hold our camps on local school campuses
because they are not congested and crowded with strangers like
university campuses. It's really what sets us apart from
other larger camps like us.
Is there a dress code for camp?
- Although
there is not an official dress code for camp, we do ask that our
campers come prepared to play. We are not sitting at
computers all day long. We play outside and therefore ask
that students do not wear open-toe shoes or extremely loose or
baggy clothing. We also do not permit clothing with
inappropriate messages on
them. Other than that, come comfortable!
What is the Multimedia Youth Track
(Grades 2-3)?
- A very
special track for young campers entering grades 2 or 3, students in this track take a make-believe job as a media specialist
for their favorite company (Disney, NFL, Nickelodeon, etc.).
They use Photoshop, ACID Music, Digital Cameras, Camcorders, and
more for a week filled with multimedia projects! Students make
movies, digital posters, songs and more on the computer!
Software Used: PowerPoint, Photoshop, ACID
Music, FrontPage, Pinnacle Studio and more.
What is the Movie Production Track
(Grades 4-10)?
- Students in this track work as a movie production crew for a
week. Lessons here include video production techniques and
video-editing. Students actually shoot, edit, and package their
own digital shorts in one week's time! Every child edits
his/her own movie right on a computer! This has been a camp
favorite since our very first summer.
Software Used:
Adobe Photoshop, ACID Music, Pinnacle Studio and more.
What is the Video Game
Creation Track
(Grades 4-10)?
- If
you enter this very popular arena, consider yourself a game
developer of the 21st century! All classes in this track include
Fusion Video Game Design - Beginning and Advanced.
Everyone
leaves this track with a CD of their game and a published
version on the web!
Software Used:
Multimedia Fusion, Photoshop, ACID Music, Scratch, and more.
What is the Web Entertainment Track
(Grades 4-10)?
- This
is an awesome track and a great start for those with a future in
this field! Students in this course create
web pages, cartoons and games for the web. Animation programs
such as Scratch and Flash, and web design software such as Nvu
and FrontPage are used to create their own pieces of web
entertainment!
Software Used: Flash, Nvu, Microsoft
FrontPage, Toon Boom, Scratch, and ACID Music.
What is the
Engineering Robotics Track (Grades
6-10)?
- Only
available in some weeks of camp, this popular offering brings
exciting and fun engineering into our campers' hands. Our Vex
Design Systems return again with robot competitions in 2008.
For
this course, there is a lab fee of $30 for parts, supplies, and
the robots themselves. There may be an opportunity to
purchase the robots at the end of the summer on a first-come,
first-served basis.
Do campers build their own robots or share?
- We have
tried both methods at our camps and we have found that the
teamwork approach is the way to go! Students still use
several robot kits to build their robots, but they each take a
different role in creating their final project. Check out the
soccer match last year on our
YouTube Channel!
Do campers have the option to buy their own robot?
- The kits we have may be sold at the end of the
summer for a discounted price. For now, we do not have the
total option to buy the robots - (They are normally $300).
What is the Game Programming Track
(Grades 6-10)?
- Students in this track focus on what it takes to actually
develop programs for this high-tech world. 3D Game Programming
is the primary focus (using lite C) in this offering. Students
map out a 3D game, then bring it to life with programming.
Software Used:
3D Game Studio. (and other programs at Masters Camp)...
 How do campers bring home their
projects?
- With Web 2.0
technologies, including our very own BravoMe.com, we publish
our work in many ways! Not only do students receive a CD
or DVD of their final projects, they also upload them to private
web space to share with friends!
The finalized versions of the projects will play
on home “Windows” (PC) computers even if you do not have the
software used in class. Most work can be played on
Macintosh computers as well.
My 8-year-old is a computer expert; why
can’t he/she take the advanced courses?
- While
we understand that all learners enter at different levels of
experience, we have seen that students perform better with
children in their peer group. Since instruction is widely
individualized, your advanced child can move onto other
pieces of software while sitting with their friends.
Can my child switch courses after camp
starts?
- Absolutely, assuming his/her age is appropriate for the
desired course AND there is enough room in the desired
course.
What if I am late arriving or picking
up?
- If for
any reason you will not be on time for drop-off or pick-up,
a phone number will be provided for you to reach us. A
staff member will be with your child until you arrive. If
tardiness is excessive, a late fee may be assessed.
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