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June 5, 2009
 It’s very likely that most kids today have played a video game at some point in their lives. But how many have actually created their own?
In Create Computer Games with Flash, one of dozens of camps offered at Temple University Ambler and Fort Washington this summer, kids will have the chance to learn all of the essentials of creating interactive computer games using Adobe Flash!
The camp will be held at the Ambler campus Monday through Friday, July 27 through 31, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is required.
“Adobe Flash is a widely used program for Web animations and online game development. We’ll start with Flash basics, then quickly go beyond simple animations to using Flash Actionscript programming,” said camp instructor Jane Allison, who has taught computer applications at Springfield Middle School for 12 years. “We’ll learn basic gaming concepts while we create at least two interactive computer games; which we’ll upload to the Internet so family and friends can join in the fun! The week is fast-paced and involves a great deal of computer programming, which is most suitable for older children (ages 13 to 17 are recommended). Campers need not know Flash, but should have good computer and problem-solving skills.”
Allison is also teaching Webmasters – Beginners and Beyond! for children ages 10 through 14 this summer.
“This camp will give participants the chance to build their own corner of the Internet! Campers will learn to use Adobe Dreamweaver and a variety of other programs to design a multi-page Web site,” she said. “We’ll add pizzazz to the pages by creating animations and graphics in Fireworks, Flash, and Photoshop. For the finishing touch, we’ll add videos, sounds and clipart before uploading them to share with family.”
Create Computer Games with Flash and Webmasters – Beginners and Beyond! aren’t the only Summer Education Camps offered in June, July, and August that invite students to use technology in fun and innovative ways.
After seeing Pixar’s blockbuster hit WALL-E, what child wouldn’t want to create their own robot? Temple University Ambler and Fort Washington offer a series of camp focused on doing just that! Lego® Mindstorms™ NXT Robotics camps are offered at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels!
The Lego® Mindstorms™ NXT Robotics: Beginner Level camp is “great for campers who have never worked with robotics or have a little experience,” said camp instructor Seth Hogan.
“They will learn how to build a robot from a kit and then have the opportunity to modify and rebuild it with their own ideas. We will also look at the basic concepts in programming — it is a visual, icon based programming language that is very intuitive,” he said. “Within the first day, the students will have a working robot and work to get the robot to complete simple tasks. Throughout the week, they will explore other options in the programming and modify their robot in order to complete more complex tasks.”
Hogan knows a little something about robots.
“I coach the First Lego League and First Tech robotics teams in the Upper Dublin School District,” he said. “We have taken teams to the World Championship in Atlanta and to the Open Asia Tournament in Tokyo, Japan. This will be my third year teaching at Temple.”
Hogan said the goal of the Beginner and Intermediate level camps is to introduce campers to basic ideas in robotics and programming while also fostering problem solving skills, “and most of all, we want to have fun.”
“During the Intermediate Level camp, we will explore advanced parts of the programming language. Campers will start with a robot of their own design and modify it as needed,” he said. “They will have the opportunity to complete complex tasks with the robot. We will talk about gear ratios, torque, and other mechanical concepts.”
 There are scholarships available for campers who would like to attend the Lego® Mindstorms™ camps this summer.
Applicants must be residents of the Whitpain, Ambler Borough, Upper Dublin, Lower Gwynedd, or Wissahickon communities; be recommended because of financial need by a letter from the school guidance counselor or the principal: meet good citizenship guidelines as determined by their school administrator; complete all required camp following notification of their scholarship award; and commit to attend a full camp session. The scholarships are being funded by the Rohm & Haas Company in Spring House, Pennsylvania — contact 267-468-8500 for information on the scholarships.
Additional technology camps offered this summer include Photoshop “Phun” for Photographers and Digital Scrapbooking, which will provide campers with the opportunity to master their camera skills and photo presentations. Experience the art of filmmaking in front of the camera and behind the scenes with Film and TV Camp and Digital Video Editing, which is being offered for the first time.
“Kids are becoming much more tech savvy today — they were born into a world of technology,” Hogan said. “They are much better equipped to explore new technology and discovering new things in new ways.”
Beyond technology, additional camps offer experiences in interior design, understanding Wall Street, learning how to debate like a pro, acting on the stage, creating remarkable illustrations, writing and publishing, becoming a “weather wizard,” getting “down and dirty” with dinosaurs, and the intricacies of babysitting. Temple University Ambler and Fort Washington also offer a series of “Jumpstart!” camps designed to give students a leg up on reading, math, and writing.
According to Rhonda Geyer, Director of Non-Credit programs at Temple University Ambler and Temple University Fort Washington, Summer Education Camps are “a fun-filled approach to academic subjects in a small-group setting.”
“They provide a wonderful opportunity for kids and teens to learn about a specific area of interest, experience a college campus, and have a lot of fun at the same time,” she said.
Now in its 20th year, the Summer Education Camp program is offered in June, July, and August as a series of primarily one-week camps.
“With the one-week camp sessions, families can try several different camp programs throughout the summer,” Geyer said. “Children and teens today are interested in so many things that we wanted to offer them the widest variety of fun, educational experiences possible.”
This summer, a variety of full day and half day camp programs will be offered each week. Full day camps will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Half day camps will run from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. This allows campers the opportunity to stay for the entire day or just come for a part of the day. It also provides flexibility for parents who may need their child in a camp program all day, or just a half-day.
For more information on Temple University Ambler Summer Education Camp program, or to register for camps, call 267-468-8500. Or, visit us online at www.ambler.temple.edu/camps.
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