Coding Summer Camp: Where to Start for Kids of All Ages

Coding summer camp is a fantastic opportunity to introduce children to the exciting world of programming. Coding has become an essential skill in today's digital age, and these camps provide a fun and interactive way for children to learn how to code. By attending a summer coding camp, kids can develop important problem-solving skills, improve their logical and analytical thinking, and enhance their creativity. Not only that, but also they can gain practical experience working on real-world projects and collaborating with other young coders.

With Create & Learn's award-winning summer coding camps, kids can learn the basics of programming languages such as Python, Scratch, and JavaScript, and work on fun and engaging projects, such as building their own mobile apps or designing websites. They can also learn more advanced topics such as machine learning, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, and even prepare for AP exams. These skills can prepare them for future career opportunities in fields such as computer science, engineering, and technology! So today we'll help you find a camp your student will love.

Discover the benefits of attending coding summer camp

From top tech companies like Google and Apple to successful startups like Airbnb and Dropbox, many of today's leading companies were founded by individuals who started coding at a young age. With summer coding camps, kids can develop valuable skills that will benefit them for years to come, and even lay the foundation for a future career in technology. Let's take a closer look at some of the benefits of attending a summer coding camp, and how it can set kids up for success.

• Exposure to new programming languages, technologies, and tools
• Hands-on experience with coding projects and challenges
• Networking opportunities with other aspiring programmers and industry professionals
• Mentorship and guidance from experienced coding instructors
• Development of problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Potential to improve job prospects and career opportunities in the tech industry

Explore coding summer programs and courses

Today we'll share a wide range of available summer coding camps, to ensure your child has a fulfilling and enjoyable summer coding experience. Beginner coders will do best in camps that encourage active participation, match their interests, and require no prerequisites. Check out camps by grade level below to find the perfect fit.

Summer Coding Camp For Elementary Students

Find a great coding camp for your elementary student to have fun and learn this summer. Each camp has specific prerequisites and is led live online by an expert for 55-75 minutes per session.

1. Scratch Summer Camp: This fun and interactive online camp is perfect for beginners with no previous experience. Students learn foundational coding concepts and are encouraged to think critically and use their creativity while coding. The course is live, and students can bring animations to life quickly within their first session. Beginner friendly!
2. Minecraft Redstone Engineering Camp: This entry-level cap helps students learn how to identify and utilize the rare Minecraft element: Redstone - to engineer powerful inventions. Students also learn about real-world engineering concepts. Beginner friendly!
3. Lights & Beats with Micro:Bit Summer Camp: In this live online summer camp, students learn how to control electronics such as LED lights and speakers through a virtual simulator. This camp is perfect for students interested in smart devices and physical building play.
4. Smart and Safe on the Internet: This summer camp is perfect for every student who uses the internet. Students will explore a wide range of topics related to computer security, modern computers, and the internet through project and inquiry-based learning.
5. Beginner Roblox Game Coding Camp: This class is designed for students with some prior coding experience who want to learn about Roblox. Students learn new coding skills using block-based coding and build multiple fun games in a supportive environment.

Summer Coding Camp For Middle School Students

Several summer camps are available for middle school kids to learn different programming skills in a supportive environment led by an expert teacher. Each camp has specific prerequisites and is led live online by an expert for 55-75 minutes per session.

1. Accelerated Scratch: This online summer class is designed for novice coders in grades 5-9. It offers a series of compressed sessions that equip students with key coding concepts in just eight sessions, each with a fun project including games and animations. Beginner friendly!
2. Mobile Coding for Apps and Games: This camp focuses on teaching students how to create unique mobile applications, including design layout and UI, enabling UI elements for event handling, using touch screens, making multi-user apps, and more.
3. Modern Website Design with Wix: This camp covers a wide range of web design topics, including website structure, layout design, color schemes, and creating online storefronts. Beginner friendly!
4. Python for AI: This is an advanced coding camp that teaches Python, an essential coding language used by companies like Netflix and Google for web development, game development, machine learning, and more. Beginner friendly for students in grades 6+!
5. Coding with Roblox Studio in Lua: This summer is designed for tweens and teens familiar with Roblox, where students learn advanced Roblox coding skills using Lua, including configuring object properties like color and texture, creating multiplayer games, and economies.

Summer Coding Camp For High School Students

Find a great coding camp for your elementary student to have fun and learn this summer. Each camp has specific prerequisites and is led live online by an expert for 55-75 minutes per session.

1. Build Your Web: This is a hands-on web building summer camp for students to learn the intricacies of how the internet works and how to contribute to the world wide web. Students will learn HTML and CSS, how to build websites with Javascript, and much more. Students are even introduced to more advanced Javascript and learn how to build more complex web projects, from drawings and animations to online games.
2. Data Science with Python and Pandas: In this hands-on analytic camp, students learn how to manipulate data using Python and Pandas. The ability to effectively analyze data and use it to inform decisions is a critical skill for a variety of professions including lawyers, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, journalists, and more.
3. Unity Game Development: This advanced game building summer camp covers a wide range of topics, including how to navigate the Unity ecosystem to build 2D/3D games from scratch, complete behavioral and object scripting, and much more.
4. AP Computer Science Principles (meets AP CSP College Board requirements): This is a preparatory camp for the AP CSP Exam, where students learn a broad range of fundamental exam topics, including how to design and evaluate solutions and how to apply computer science to solve problems through developing algorithms and programs. The course was developed by AP computer science educators and meets the requirements for the AP CSP exam as defined by the College Board.
5. AP Computer Science Java (meets AP CSA college board requirements): This is a rigorous Java camp that covers a wide range of topics like the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, and the development and implementation of algorithms to process data. These skills and many more are put into practice through fun project-based learning. The camp was adapted by Lead Curriculum Developer Jamila Cocchiola from the new Code.org AP CSA curriculum (certified by College Board) to better fit the online format and student needs.

How our coding summer camps are run

Summer coding camps are great for learning new skills in a condensed period of time. Choose from structured weeklong camps (four consecutive days) available in multiple time zones, with both morning and afternoon start times. You can even request a schedule. And don't worry, each camp page specifies any prerequisites and any needed hardware and software. Then show up for the Zoom lessons led live by an expert! Our camp instructors are our regular year-round instructors who have lots of experience teaching kids throughout the year. Each camp has a maximum of 5 students per instructor, which means more progress and more play. So students get to present their creations through each camp session. Once camp is complete, your student can celebrate with a personalized Certificate of Achievement to mark the milestone.

Also our summer coding camp programs are now more affordable than ever before! Not only are our camps longer than the typical ones offered, allowing for a more immersive and comprehensive learning experience, but also they cost about half as much as comparable programs. Our commitment to accessibility and equity in education is reflected in our reasonable pricing, because we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to explore and excel in the exciting world of technology education.

What parents and students can expect

Parents and students can expect quality coding classes with excellent instructors and personalized attention at Create & Learn's summer coding camps. The instructors are patient, supportive, and knowledgeable, making the camps fun and exciting for kids. The camps encourage creativity and problem-solving skills, and kids will learn coding concepts while working on coding exercises and projects. The small camp sizes provide an excellent learning environment, and instructors give personal feedback to both students and parents. Additionally, Create & Learn offers select free sessions that help parents and students choose the right camp at the right level.

Here's what a few parents have said about the camps:

"The curriculum was well designed and taught methodically. I was impressed that within a week, my children both became Scratch savvy. Most importantly, they developed a strong interest in coding, and continued to work on projects after class without being asked to do so."

"My 10 year old son tried the AI explorers class this Spring. As parents who work in tech, we realize that kids his age don't have the mathematical foundation to understand the algorithms. Our goal was to expose his to various applications and possibilities that AI can unlock. The course and the teacher did an excellent job covering a breadth of fun and relatable examples, including image recognition, training AI to play games, and creating music."

"I am very impressed with Create & Learn. The instructor is a wonderful teacher and so patient with my son. My son is exploring coding and learning how to create logical commands. Thank you for a great experience!"

Frequently asked questions about coding summer camp

For parents who are new to the world of coding and programming, the idea of sending their child to a summer coding camp can be overwhelming. But don't worry - we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions by parents considering a summer coding camp for their child!

1. What age range is the camp designed for? Each camp lists the appropriate students' grade level - they range from kindergarten through grade 12.
2. What is the curriculum or syllabus of the camp? The curriculum for each class is designed by Silicon Valley tech vets, such as professionals from Google and Apple, and educators from ivy league schools such as MIT and Stanford. It was created with kids in mind, with a focus on an inquiry-based learning approach that empowers kids to be active participants. Our curriculum has been recognized for excellence by Meta, SMASH, Minecraft Education, HulaFrog, and ActivityHero. Learn more about our curriculum here: Grades K-2 | Grades 2-4 | Grades 4-6 | Grades 6-9 | Grades 9-12
3. Who are the instructors and what are their qualifications? Our instructors are all US-based, and pass a safety screening, in addition to needing at least 3+ years of teaching experience and certificates in their fields. They also undergo extensive training in the subjects they teach.
4. What is the student-to-instructor ratio? Our camps have 5 students (at the most) to one teacher. You can also request a private camp, for just your student and a teacher.
5. What is the duration of the camp and how long are the classes? Each camp is 4 days, and each daily session is 55-75 minutes long.
6. What equipment or software will the students use during the camp? Each camp lists the hardware and software students will need ahead of time.
7. What is the cost of the camp and are there any additional fees? Each camp costs a flat rate fee, and there are no additional fees. In some instances if the software isn't free and you don't already have it, you'll need to pay a fee for that - for example the Procreate app for iPad costs $12.99, which your student will need to enjoy the Procreate camp.
8. What is the cancellation policy? You can reschedule your camp up to 7 days prior to attending. There's also a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
9. Are there any prerequisites or prior knowledge required? Each camp lists its prerequisites. Students new to computer science can start with the camps that require no prerequisites, including Scratch Junior, NASA Science, Digital Art, Scratch Ninja, Accelerated Scratch, Minecraft Engineering, Canva Design, Wix Modern Websites, or Python for students in grades 6+.
10. What types of projects or activities will the students work on during the camp? Students will work on projects in every camp session. For example a website for a club, a mobile app, a cool interactive Pokemon game with a ball, a wizard tag game, animations with moving and talking characters, a Roblox obby, customize a jungle adventure, and much more.
11. Will the students receive any certification or recognition upon completion of the camp? Yes, students will receive a certificate.
12. What is the process for communicating with parents during the camp? Teachers send an email after each class including information regarding what students learned, and they also post homework assignments to the online portal. If parents have any questions they can reach out to our Customer Service team (support@createandlearn.us) or their teacher at any time via email.
13. What measures are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of the students? All of our teachers have passed a safety and background check. In addition our classes are not recorded to ensure students' safety, and student registration data is stored safely as well.

Sign up for summer coding camp today

Finding the right summer coding camp for your child can be an exciting and rewarding experience. By considering factors such as the camp's curriculum, instructors' qualifications, class size, and teaching approach, you can help ensure your child has a positive and enriching coding camp experience. It is also essential to involve your child in the decision-making process and encourage them to explore their interests in coding. With careful research and planning, you can find a summer coding camp that provides their child with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in the exciting world of technology. Get started discovering the magic in technology with our free coding classes today.