Have You Heard About Online Minecraft Kid Camp?
What’s your kid doing this summer?
Mine is going to Online Minecraft Kid Camp!
My six-year-old son loves playing Minecraft. You can find him playing Minecraft or watching Youtube videos of others playing Minecraft on any given day. At first I was a bit apprehensive about allowing him to spend all of his screen time on a video game. I worried that I was allowing him to waste his time on something that was not productive. I also didn’t see the appeal or benefit of it. Heck, I didn’t even have a clue how the game was played! I just knew it was the “it” thing and that my kid WOULD NOT stop talking about it with his friends, with his older brother, with his dad. He tried to talk to me about it but I had NO CLUE!
Then recently I came across Online Minecraft Camp! An online summer kid camp where kids play on a moderated camp server and learn from expert counselors in a safe, multiplayer environment. It sounded like a really cool idea and I knew my son would absolutely love to spend a summer doing something he loves.
Learning specialists at Connected Camps and Institute of Play have designed a series of summer activities to maximize the learning potential of Minecraft while kids play in a design-friendly environment that will teach them problem solving skills, computer programming or coding and getting along with others in a diverse community of learners at various ability levels.
They also offer a Grown Up Camp for parents. Grown Up Camp runs parallel to the Kid Camp so that playing and completing challenges can be more fun and productive as kids and parents engage in the game together. The Grown Up Camp offers weekly webinars and online discussion forums so parents can learn more about the game. It even offers expert advice from Minecraft researchers and educators providing parents the opportunity to learn how to unlock the learning potential of Minecraft.
I was sold! I realized that Minecraft was more than a video game and that my kid could play without me feeling like the irresponsible parent who was allowing him to veg out in front of a tube. I also embraced the idea of learning to play myself. I have never been drawn to video games, not even as a kid, in part because I was never good at them. So the gamers connection is one that my son and I have never shared. He plays video games with his dad, with his older brother, but never with his mom. 🙁
Well I went ahead and signed us up for a Summer of Minecraft and boy am I happy I did! Summer camp hasn’t even started but already I’ve learned so much, about the game and about my son. It’s really fascinating to watch him problem solve, design and create what ever his mind can imagine. He gets so excited every time he builds something new! I’m so glad that together we’re engaging in productive video gaming and now I see the benefits of it! It fosters thinking, encourages imagination and builds creativity (just to name a few), plus it’s really FUN! At the end of this post you’ll find some useful links that will help you learn much more about the benefits of playing Minecraft.
Summer camp doesn’t officially begin until July 6th but three weeks ago we began receiving weekend challenges to prepare us for what our summer learning experience will look like. Already we’ve had so much fun working together to complete the weekly challenges. He thinks it’s really cool that his mom is learning to play Minecraft and he can’t wait to teach me something new each day. Some parents engage with their kids in sports because that’s where their kids’ talents lie and it’s what they’re passionate about. I decided to engage with my child in Minecraft because this is what he loves and is good awesome at. I’m so glad I did!
If your kid loves playing Minecraft and you’ve never understood why or never realized the potential benefits of the game, then I truly urge you to give Minecraft Camp a try.
I’m being completely honest when I tell you that I’m not getting anything in return by asking you to give this a try. I’m just a parent who thinks this is totally cool and I’d love to inspire you and your family to engage in learning through Minecraft. I already signed us up for camp and paid full price for it.
One more tip – Don’t be discouraged to join if your child is under the recommended age of 9. Connected Camps was great about encouraging me to sign up my six-year-old when I tweeted them with questions about it.
Follow Connected Camps on Twitter
Remember, I’m not getting any compensation here! Just sharing something that I feel is worth sharing. So go ahead, sign up and let me know how you like it. I would love to hear all about your experience and who knows your kid might just be my kid’s next new cyber friend. Happy Minecrafting!
And if you’re still not convinced about the benefits of letting your kids take part in this game, below are the good reads I promised earlier. Enjoy!
9 Reasons Your Child Should Be Playing Minecraft – POPSUGAR article by Leah Rocketto
Ten Things for Parents to Love About Minecraft – by Minemum.com.
I recently discovered this mom-created website and think its pretty cool. You must check it out! It’s a must for parents (like me) who have a ton of Minecraft questions. This site offers everything from ideas for Minecraft-themed parties and activities to directions and tips on how to install mods (yeah, I’m just learning what those are because my kid WILL NOT stop asking for them).
Minecraft Is Shaping A Generation, And That Is A Good Thing – Forbes article by Emily Willingham
36 Comments
Jessica
My five-year-old is pretty much obsessed with Minecraft, also Youtube videos about it. His dad makes video games for a living, so he’s more fluent than most kids his age (as am I) when it comes to gaming. But a camp! That sounds pretty fabulous. We’ll see if he can handle the sample day this week. Thanks so much for sharing!
nyctechmommy
Hey Jessica! We tried the free trial last week. It was pretty cool and the first time my boy got to play live online with other kids. He really enjoyed it and did pretty well. I did have to help him a bit with typing when he wanted to join in on the chat. Did you guys get to try the free trial? What did you think? Dad makes video games! That’s pretty cool 🙂
AnitaBreeze
oh boy, my 2 grandsons would absolutely freak if they could go to Minecraft camp! I am going to have to look into this and see if they have something like this here in Canada. Thanks for the idea!
nyctechmommy
Hi Anita! Your welcomed and thanks for stopping by 🙂 Guess what? Your grandsons can attend Minecraft right from home in Canada. Yay! Its all done online! All they need is a computer and to purchase and download the Minecraft software, then register for the camp. Kids from all over the world will be attending Minecraft camp online. Do look into it! I think your grandsons would love it! How old are they?
Shauna s.
This sounds wonderful. My son likes Minecraft a lot. I really enjoy watching him build and he gets so creative with it. Thanks for sharing the information.
nyctechmommy
Your welcomed Shauna. I also enjoy watching my son as he plays! Its amazing what you can learn about your kid if you just stop and watch them play.
Rosey
This is something I would have paid full price for too, like you did. My son’s school has an afterschool Minecraft learning group, but he’s in Cub Scouts, swimming, and now soccer too so we didn’t sign him up. Maybe next year. The camp here sounds great!
nyctechmommy
Hey Rosey! I love that your son’s school has and afterschool Minecraft learning group. My son would love that!
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
I don’t know much about Minecraft. I am not much of a gamer myself, but it sounds like a safe place for kids to play online and learn, too!
Jessica M
My girls are not into MineCraft but I do know some little boys who would LOVE this thanks for sharing
Mama to 5 BLessings
My 2 older boys would really love this. They love Minecraft. A fun way to learn and have fun!
Pam
My son was obsessed with MineCraft for a while there. This camp sounds like a great way for kids to learn while doing what they love.
Lorane
I like Summer Programs that are different from traditional “Summer Camp/School ” . There was a Robotics Camp launched recently her in Jamaica. That Minecraft Camp sounds like every little boys’ dream
nyctechmommy
Robotics Camp sounds pretty cool! My son participates in a robotics class in his school and loves it.
Helene Cohen Bludman
With my kids grown, I am so out of the loop about Minecraft. But it must be huge because I hear about it all the time.
WendysHat
What a great idea! My son is way too old for this but loved games online when he was a teenager. I would imagine this one is very popular.
Debbie L.
Isa would love this. She is a Minecraft addict! I am sure she knows nothing about this – she will be so excited.
nyctechmommy
Awesome! I love to see girls playing the game. Lots of people look at this as something boys enjoy but really girls are just as fascinated by the game. I think there aren’t enough women in the fields of science and engineering. This is a great way to encourage girls to take that route. Hope Isa enjoys this!
Lois Alter Mark
I bet this will be a hugely popular camp this summer! My son would have loved it when he was younger!
lisa
My kids love Minecraft. This sounds like a really neat thing for them. Although I’d rather they get outside for summer camp!!
nyctechmommy
Yeah I’m with you lisa. My kids gonna do both. I figure he plays an hour of video games a day anyway, so why not make a productive hour 🙂
Carol Bryant
what a fun idea and I never heard of this. Summer is near!
Jennifer aka Baby Making Mama
I’ve heard so many good things about mine craft. This solidified the fact that we need to get this in our house! Thank you!
nyctechmommy
You welcomed! Hope you have fun playing 🙂
Kerri
This sounds like a great camp and we are in NYC! I need to look into this!
nyctechmommy
Hey Kerri. It’s all online so even if you go away this summer the kids can still log on. If you give it a try please let me know how you like it 🙂
Janeane Davis
Oh, My, Goodness! When my children hear about this they are going to freak out. This is such a cooll and totally modern idea!
nyctechmommy
That’s exactly how I felt when I heard about it!
Mariana
My kids are also obsessed with Minecraft, so I’m going to look into this camp. I think they would enjoy it.
Krystal
My kiddo is too young for Minecraft right now, but I am loving how everyone LOVES it! It seems like a great option for kids who love the game.
nyctechmommy
Hi Krystal! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Censie
We havent reached the minecraft stage in our house yet but I am sure it will happen before we know it. Looks great!
Ashleigh Walls
My kids are still to young for this but I love the idea! I know some nieces and nephews who love Minecraft, have to tell some parents.
nyctechmommy
Hi Ashleigh! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Amanda Love
My boys would absolutely love this! I don’t think there are any bigger minecraft fans than they are. I’ll have to check into this for them. Thank you.
Debbie Denny
Sounds like a neat camp. The grandkids would love it.