This summer camp is a deep dive into the world of programming. Over five days, participants will learn sufficient basic skills to start implementing their own small programming projects. The camp uses Minecraft Education as a game and teaching tool, for which each participant receives a license for home use for the entire summer. The license provides fun content that allows participants to continue deepening what they have learned at the camp even after it ends. Minecraft Education also offers a variety of other fun and developmental tasks for rainy summer days.

Additionally, after the camp ends, campers will have access for a month to the School of Gaming's Discord server's technology corner, where they can seek advice from game educators and new camp friends, find ideas for their projects, or just chat with like-minded friends in a safe and familiar environment.

Campers are divided into groups of 15 children, each with their own game educator who guides the camp activities throughout the day. If there are several groups of campers, we will divide them into appropriate groups based on skill level and age.

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What Do You Need to Participate in the Camp?

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- The  camp participant needs a computer and a quiet corner at home. Headphones are also an excellent addition so that the rest of the family is not disturbed by the camp activities.

- Communication during the camp takes place on the School of Gaming Discord server, so a free Discord must be installed on a computer, tablet, or phone. You can read here why we use Discord and how you can ensure your child's safe use of Discord. We will also send you instructions on how to prepare for the camp and how to create a Discord account and how to get started with the programs.

- Minecraft Education should be downloaded to the computer before the camp starts. However, it is not necessary to know how to use it. We will send login details well in advance of the camp start by email.

- The camp day starts at nine in the morning and ends at two. We take an hour-long lunch break at eleven. Since the camp is brought home, you can arrange camp vibes in the fridge or even accommodate your child in a "tent accommodation" under the kitchen table or in other ways to enhance the camp atmosphere. However, this is not necessary, and the child will have fun at the camp without any special arrangements. We put an optional offline task for each day in the camp booklet, some of which may require small arrangements at home. Previously, we have had activities like making a brain-boost smoothie (you can invent the recipe yourself), tips for geocaching, and a challenge to eat snacks outdoors.

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What Does the Child Learn at Camp?

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The camp progresses in the form of a story-driven adventure, where campers receive an invitation to join Captain Error's teaching ship Operation's crew. Before boarding the ship, they must transform from landlubbers into cyberpunk coders who, in addition to programming, know the basics of digital seamanship - teamwork, friendship, communication, project management, planning, and online safety.

The camp teaches programming in a very hands-on manner. The story leads campers towards creating their first game. We explore the stages of game-making and work together on small mini-games. After the camp, the participant will have sufficient skills to start their own programming projects and, if they wish, join School of Gaming's programming lessons to continue refining their skills.

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Camp Daily Rhythm:

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9–10 Introduction to the day's topic

Physical Activity Break

10.15–11 Gaming

11–12 Lunch Break

12–13 Gaming

Physical Activity Break

13.15–14 Final push for the task and review of the day's events

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In the evening, campers are given a fun offline task to maintain the camp atmosphere even outside of screen time.

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Technical Requirements:

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Minecraft Education runs on almost all computers and even mobile devices. Ideally, since we will be programming, it would be good if the child had access to a keyboard. You can check the system requirements for different computers here.