Community Corner

Video Game Summer Camps Double in U.S.

The number of summer camps geared toward video game development has doubled since 2012, according to one video game research and advocacy group.

If you're looking to supplement your child's exposure to STEM education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, then why not enroll them in iD Tech Camps?

The camp starts in July, but space fills quickly, according to organizers. The iD Tech Camp will be held at UCLA and features computer programming workshops and mobile app development.

STEM education is important because there will be more than one million unfilled STEM jobs by 2018, said Brandon Peeples, iD Tech camp director. 

Find out what's happening in Westwood-Century Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"By the end of a week, our students create iPhone and Android apps, video games, websites, 3D animations with Autodesk Maya, and more which inspire them to continue learning, get internships, start businesses, write books, and do other impressive things," said Peeples. "It’s truly life changing."

iD Tech is one of a number of STEM-related camps operating in the state, according to the Entertainment Software Association, a video game research and advocacy group.

Find out what's happening in Westwood-Century Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The organization found the number of STEM camps in the U.S. has nearly doubled since 2012.      

In California, the ESA identified 26 programs for video game design, development, programming and related topics — more than in any other state — out of almost 700 operating in the country, the organization announced recently.

That California leads the charge in such programs should come as no surprise. There are approximately 342 video game development companies in the sunshine state, according to GameDevMap, a website that mapped 2,730 of the country's game developers.

“The increase in video game design summer programs reflects parents’ growing recognition of video games’ potential to excite kids about educational concepts,” said Rich Taylor, senior vice president for communications and industry affairs at ESA, in a statement. “These programs not only offer students a fun opportunity to learn a range of  techniques that prepare them for a promising career in the computer and video game industry, but also enhance comprehension of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics.”

Most of the programs identified by ESA feature courses on interactive entertainment, including app development for smartphones, tablet devices, Facebook, Google and other Internet-based platforms, according to the industry group. For a complete list of programs identified in its research, visit the ESA website.

For a list of other types of summer camps in your area, take a look at Patch's 2013 Summer Camps Guide.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Westwood-Century City