10 Camp Guide 2020 By Jennifer Marshall or children who want to learn the ins and outs of video game coding and design, several camps offer programs to whet their tech appetites. Likewise, for children who need to put down the tablet, phone, or game controller, there are camps designed for them to take a break from technology and learn how to create a balance between screen time and free time. CODAKID codakid.com CodaKid was established by former Sony PlayStation game developer David Dodge and his wife, Lauren. They teach children ages 6-15 how to build games, apps and websites during one-week camps hosted by various schools throughout the Valley. Campers learn how to code using programming languages and tools, and by building video games, they learn coding concepts. “All of our kids aren’t going to become software developers,” Dodge said, “but the skills we teach, like computational thinking, planning and collaboration, will have a lasting influence on students’ lives and a positive effect on their careers.” This summer, CodaKid is releasing a new camp called Dragon Rider, based on the Minecraft Game platform. Using the Java programming language, students will go into the source code of Minecraft and create their dragon. CodaKid also acknowledges that children need a balanced day, so they incorporate physical activity into all of their courses. Camps are in the $300 to $400 price range for four to five-day camps. ENGINEERING FOR KIDS engineeringforkids.com Engineering for Kids offers several types of week-long summer camps throughout the Valley for participants ages 4-14. “One of our most popular programs is our tablet-based Bloxels, which we use to teach design concepts,” Program Manager Zach Gray said. “By writing a story with a character and using Bloxels to create a world featuring this story and character, students are programming their own video game.” Engineering for Kids rents out spaces in trampoline parks and adventure facilities for their camps so that campers can also spend time participating in physical activities. Half-day camps start at $165 and full-day runs from $225 to $300. Camps run throughout the summer break. CAMP POCONO TRAILS camppoconotrails.com Camp Pocono Trails Tech Overuse Program is located in Reeders, Pa. and serves kids ages 7-18 with programs ranging from 11 days to nine weeks. “Kids are overusing technology,” said President and Owner Tony Sparber, “and it’s negatively affecting them by contributing to depression and antisocial behavior. These kids are often failing in school, and between poor eating and exercise habits, they’re unhealthy and either obese or underweight.” Campers are immersed in a tech-free environment that’s steeped in health and wellness. They attend classes and therapy sessions and learn how to self-regulate their tech behavior and set positive life goals for when they return home. “For all the benefits of tech,” Sparber said, “there’s a huge downside for today’s youth. By getting them into a healthy routine that includes socialization, exercise, and recreational activities, we help them understand how to use tech in moderation.” Camp fees range from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the number of weeks. RESET SUMMER CAMP resetsummercamp.com Reset Summer Camp offers a digital detox program that operates on the principles of self- regulation and positive goal setting for success. Their program is open to teens 13-17 with a kids’ program for those 8-12; each held on different dates at locations in the U.S. and Canada. “Our campers work with psychologists and therapists for four weeks,” said Executive Director Michael Jacobus. “And it takes that long to get kids detoxed and back to a normal sleeping, eating and socialization schedule.” Participants live in dorms on college campuses in Santa Barbara, Calif. and New Brunswick, Canada, where this independent living fosters confidence building and the learning of life skills, which are integral to Reset’s mission. “We live in a tech world,” Jacobus said, “so these kids need to know how to balance technology. We also teach them how to achieve their goals, which they can’t do when they spend 20 hours a day in front of a screen. Video games are fine when they’re played in moderation.” The camp costs $7,850 for four weeks. STEM-centric and digital detox summer camps Trend CAMPS

11 Camp Guide 2020 By Rachael Bouley A nother option for summer break is volunteering. Kids can help in a variety of ways, from organizing supplies, interacting with campers or supporting kids as they acclimate to camp life. Here are a few that welcome and appreciate the contributions of Valley teens: ARIZONA CAMP SUNRISE AND SIDEKICKS azcampsunrise.org (480) 382-8564 Arizona Camp Sunrise was the state’s first camp for kids with cancer. Since 1983, the nonprofit has offered children who have been affected by cancer the chance to unwind and make memories in the great outdoors. These programs have also been expanded to include siblings of those children. This traditional camp has activities such as archery, fishing, horseback riding and arts and crafts. Arizona Camp Sunrise and Sidekicks relies on volunteers to bring these programs to life, including counselors, medical and kitchen staff. The team of volunteers is affectionately referred to as the “Campily,” and applications are available online for summer volunteering opportunities. CAMP QUEST ARIZONA campquestaz.org (602) 492-5836 Known as “an educational adventure shaped by fun, friends and freethought,” Camp Quest Arizona is a traditional sleepaway summer camp for kids ages 8-17. The camp is located in Prescott, and campers are encouraged to explore the world around them and accept differences through activities centered around free-thinking and humanist values. Camp Quest Arizona is entirely volunteer- run, and they need volunteers to serve as cabin and programming staff. Volunteers should prepare to spend lots of time supervising campers and engaging in camp activities. Applications are accepted online. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PHOENIX childrensmuseumofphoenix.org (602) 253-0501 The museum is a great place for little ones to use their imaginations to play, explore and create, and Children’s Museum of Phoenix welcomes volunteers for camp programs. With a few different themes planned for the summer, including Culinary Kids, Dinosaur Discovery and Cosmic Cadets, volunteers are needed to make these programs possible. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and enjoy working with kids. Campers are 5-8 years old and volunteers will help with crafts, storytime, talent shows and more. Applications may be submitted online. PHOENIX CENTER FOR THE ARTS phoenixcenterforthearts.org (602) 254-3100 This nonprofit can always benefit from volunteers, especially during the summer when there’s music, dance, drama and visual arts programs going on. Campers are encouraged to get creative and think outside the box, and volunteers assist throughout the summer day camps in helping campers with activities. For volunteers who are passionate about the arts and want to assist younger kids in a summer of growth and creativity, volunteering at Phoenix Center for the Arts camps is one option. More information is available on the Phoenix Center for the Arts website. Volunteering at summer camps around the Valley Volunteer@ CAMP PHOTO COURTESY OF ARIZONA CAMP SUNRISE PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMP QUEST ARIZONA PHOTO COURTESY OF PHOENIX CENTER FOR THE ARTS PHOTO COURTESY OF CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PHOENIX