Greetings from some Rhode Island campers could be electronically delivered this summer. The American Computer Experience (ACE), the nation’s leading provider of advanced-technology for children, is literally setting up camp on two Ocean State college campuses.
”Rhode Island was a location that we were interested in from the beginning,” said Becky Holcomb, communications coordinator for ACE, “Our goal is to be in most major cities in the country.”
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ACE was incorporated in September of 1993 by founders Doug Murphy and Jim Beech for the purpose of developing an advanced technology educational platform for children. Since that time, it has run the camp beginning with two locations, Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The camp has increased in both size and programming over seven years. Citing more than 300 percent growth between 1998 and 1999, and over 150 percent per year between 1994 and 1998, the camp boast a 70 percent return rate among campers. It is expected that more than 20,000 kids will attend camp this summer at nearly 90 university campuses.
”We teach fun and interesting things, and kids can’t wait to come back,” Holcomb said. “They are hungry for knowledge and we provide them with a wealth of information.”
This year Roger William’s University in Bristol and Providence College will be home to the camp.
Each two-week session includes programs ranging from introductory courses on how to operate a computer to advanced programming using JavaScript and HTML, and is designed to fit the needs of every camper. Holcomb said, on the first day of camp, each participant’s skill level is evaluated, and a course load is created based on that level.
”We want to keep students moving along in the areas that interest them,” she said. “The curriculum is designed so they can chose what they want to do, and find a class that does the work at their level.”
What also helps, Holcomb said, is the knowledgeable staff at each of ACE’s camps. Staffed by mostly computer science undergraduate and graduate students, and supervised by professional teachers, she said, the program is really hands-on for the students.
”The counselors and directors have a lot of experience and can really relate to the kids,” she said.
Campers can chose either day or overnight packages, but Holcomb said overnight campers often attend additional evening seminars on a variety of topics including animation and movie making.
”We aim to teach fun and interesting things that kids might not be exposed to anywhere else,” she said.
Camp programming also includes teaching children the importance of the Internet and how to use it safely. Campers learn how to use e-mail, chat rooms, and the World Wide Web, as well as information gathering tools, and researching methods.
”Computers are tools, not a way of life,” said Deron Sedy, director of education for ACE. “By making the classes enjoyable in a relaxed but stimulating atmosphere, and giving every kid an award by the end of the stay, we make sure that the cyber campers have fun while learning.”
Starting in 1999, the Atlanta-based company also began offering campers a way to continue their learning year round through its website ACEplanet.com. The site will include live classes beginning this year, and already has chat rooms for kids, and links to other “family-friendly” designated sites. In addition, the site will also provide a parents’ resource area, where information regarding detailed screening for all games and digital content, a monthly newsletter addressing issues involving kids, parents and technology, and a statement of the company’s strict policies for screening of staff and site content.
”We know that we are incorporating a lot into the camp and wanted kids to have a chance to continue that learning,” Holcomb said. “Now, kids can do it year-round with our on-line learning system that features live instructors.”
The cost of the program is $560 for day campers and $860 for overnight campers. Scholarships are available with the help of organizations like Intel Corporation, Hasbro, Microsoft and Gateway. In 1999, ACE committed 10 percent of all camp seats available to scholarship recipients equaling almost 1,400 qualified campers.
