Question of the Day, May 4, 2010

[capacollo]

i went to a chemistry summer camp...shows how cool i am B-)

scary thing is is that i actually enjoyed it, alot :L

I would encourage it so long as the children were learning not just playing as it seems in stuartclement's case. Learning game development, programming, etc and mixing it with outdoor activities seems like it would be even more of a plus.

 

[ProfessorLayton]

If you want outdoor activities, go to a different camp. If kids want to play video games at a camp, let them. It's not like anyone has to go...

I lame as this might sound, (though personally I think a summer camp for playing video games sounds kinda lame), what about if the camp had kids play video games, and then also had them go do more active stuff that's related to the video games they play? Maybe play some paint ball, or obstacle courses, learn karate or whatever type of game they're playing.

At the very least they need to get out and burn some actual energy, playing actual games. Could also get out and do some team building exercises that could help them in team games.

You are actually very very right. I never even thought about that.

 

[The Great JT]

I like the idea, but I would incorporate a few outdoor and crafting activities. Examples, swimming, baseball, maybe some pottery and wallet-making classes.

Again, I get the idea and it's a good one, but wouldn't a few sports and crafting activities make these kids more well-rounded?

 

[Julianking93]

If that's what you want to do, by all means, do it.

Just don't ***** when you find that you're somehow 30 pounds overweight

 

[pumasuit]

I think that any parent who pays money to send their child to a place where they would partake in the same activities they would do at home are fools.

 

[hamster mk 4]

I thaught summer camp was to get kids to meet and interact with other kids outside their normal group of friends. Video games are the social lubricant of our day in the same way sports and movies were the social lubricant of days gone by. Making a video game summer camp makes total sense so long as the kids have to interact with each other to play the games. Paying to have a kid play through the single player of Halo in a dark room alone, is a dumb idea. Having the kid put with a group of kids to formulate and exicute a strategy with a bunch of other kids on a Counterstrike or Starcraft LAN is not so dumb of an idea. Maybe I have been reading too much Ender's Game.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I wish this was around when I was a kid ...

As for weather it's good or bad; it sounds to me like a different flavor of the somewhat-known Computer Camps. Not every child wants to be active and I don't see anything wrong with that.

 

[dmase]

Where were these camps when i was a kid!?

 

[vivadelkitty]

I went to a camp called iD Tech that did an excellent job with their curriculum. It was mostly game design and programming in the campus computer labs, but we always took about two or three hours per day in the afternoon and evening to do outdoor activities, swimming, frisbee, capture the flag, kickball, stuff like that. It was amazingly fun, and after a week at that camp, I was more tan than after spending a week in Mexico. We did lots of stuff outside.

 

[Spiner909]

I've been to them twice, and they are the most freaking awesome thing you can ever do.
Nothing even compares.

 

[reg42]

Well I can't say I would pay for them, and spending an entire summer just playing games sounds really shit, but if someone really wants to then I'm not gonna stop them.

 

[AwesomeExpress]

As much as I like video games, there's no need of them at a camp. If you want to go camping, go camping, if you want to play video games, stay home and play video games. If you're going camping, use that opportunity to get active, enjoy the outdoors.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

Sounds good, but mix in some outdoor activities, but with a gaming theme.

 

[Keava]

The idea itself wouldnt be bad if it was something more than just playing games in different enviroment. Such camps would have more purpose if along the gaming part they would offer CGI/graphic design courses, programming/coding courses, story/dialogue writing courses etc. along wiht some outdoor activities..like paintball matches or LARPs.

 

[Blasphemous Rex]

I've gone to many over the years, and I absolutely love 'em. I don't have that good a computer (which I've often complained about), so they offer me a chance to actually play/make good computer games. Last summer I participated in a Unreal Tournament III camp, and it involved half making multiplayer maps/playing Unreal Tournament, and half eating/playing ultimate frisbee. I loved it, even though I'd rather of played less frisbee, to the point that I'll likely do it again this summer. I don't like the outside aspect, but I also completely agree with it.

 

[MorteSphere]

Oh god no, I stand by my opinion children should enjoy the summer outside and socialize. We don't need video camps you pay money for. Seriously, we have alot of online services that can enrich out lives without devoting your entire day indoors.

The world is becoming a more idiotic place to live in. Glad miracles still happen now and then.

Maybe you should read the thread.

 

[Aurora219]

Interesting poll results for a gaming community!

Hark our cry!