Computer camps in San Antonio – not as few and far between as you might believe

Posted by MomOnMars on March 18, 2011

I was just introduced to this amazing new website xkcd.com, which describes itself as a webcomic of romance,
sarcasm, math, and language. It’s really just one very funny guy sitting behind a computer who apparently enjoys words with no phonetic pronunciation and astronomy.

I struggle with his comic above, because while I want to cheer on the public and charter school system, I sense that my son does, in fact, learn more when he sits at his computer all day and learns to code. It certainly has taken him farther up the science fair food chain than anything else he’s learned in school. (except for maybe how to handle himself in social situations – which, as far as middle school society goes, leaves much to be desired.)

So this summer, we’ve already signed up for a computer programming class. Boy Genius is so excited, he’s counting the days. And every camp publication we get, he looks for more opportunities to learn website and application programming.

I was actually surprised to find as many computer camps as I did.  And, of course, I kept track of them all so I could share. So if you have a budding hacker or Racker in your home, check out some of these great camps:

  • UTSA iTec: camps for kinder through 8th grade. They started with just robotics, but this summer, you’ve got many more options. Way to go UTSA!
  • iD Tech: computer camps for ages 7 to 17. Locally, the camps will be held at Trinity University.
  • Duke Tip: a variety of fascinating camps for gifted 7th – 12th graders. Middle school camps will be at Trinity University this year.
  • Giant Campus: here’s one I just found. It’s online only, but the course offerings look interesting. But you miss out on the socialization.
  • American Robotics: Yes…it’s robots…but playing around with NXT software is how my son first developed an interest in computer programming. Offered in Helotes and northwest San Antonio for grades K through 12.
  • San Antonio Academy: While most of their camps are game related, there are two classes on html programming and website development for ages 9-13. But both are introductory for kids with little to no experience.

Know of another local computer camp? Please send me a note or post a comment.

Happy camping!

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  • Clayton Perce

    Thanks much for the post! Very helpful info…

  • Clayton Perce

    Here’s another: Pre-Engineering Summer Program at St. Mary’s University. Robotics and programming. More here: http://cl.stmarytx.edu/esp/

    And yes, XKCD is perhaps the Best. Webcomic. Ever.
    My personal fav: The chess coaster series … http://xkcd.com/249/ as inspiration for http://xkcd.com/chesscoaster/

    • MomOnMars

      Thanks for the tip on St. Mary’s. I’ll have to check into that. The UTSA PREP program math was too easy for BG. And the chess coaster series….too funny. Loved the cutlines!

  • Sylvia

    Thanks for all the camp info! I am definitely looking into some of these. I want to get my 6 year old daughter interested in science and some of these robotic classes look like fun!

  • http://rene@signaturephotographyinc.com rene

    Thanks for the great information.

    We’ve never done anything like this before. Our boys are 9 and 11. They love computers and are very interested in creating their own game. Any advice is appreciated.

  • MomOnMars

    One of the best things they can do is go on to MIT’s website…http://scratch.mit.edu/ where there is a very easy (and free!) interface that they can use to create their own computer games.