A few years ago I introduced my boys to Minecraft. I’d heard other moms talking about it, and how much their kids loved it, and how it’s like Legos on the computer, only better. You can’t step on Minecraft pieces (that was before Minecraft toys were invented, and Minecraft joined with Lego to create Minecraft sets, but that’s another story).
Well, the boys loved it. They now spend all of their technology time on Minecraft, they’ve learned how to find mods to have dinosaurs in their Minecraft game. They figured out how to get new skins on Steve (at one point he looked like superheroes, it was pretty cool). They’ve used it for school projects.
But, I can’t play Minecraft, it gives me motion sickness. So, there are limits with what they can do in our schoolwork, and to their learning potential right now because I can’t really teach them.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in our home, one of my learning goals for my kids
To take a break from that story, because you need some background before we get much further. Jeff and I sat down a few years ago and talked about things we wanted the kids to learn. Not too surprisingly because of different interests, and spheres we’re working in we had different lists. I wanted them to know cooking, sewing, writing, etc. Jeff wanted them to know coding. “Okay,” I said, and I did research. Because that’s what I do when I don’t know the answer. I research.
And I came up with suggestions, which Jeff knocked down every single time for various reasons (Jeff actually codes stuff, like that’s his job. I hack at my computer and somehow achieve my desired results, but I am not an expert like he is, so I’ll yield to his knowledge in this area).
{ This post is sponsored by Summer of Minecraft Camp}
Back to our Minecraft story
Every now and then I will see Minecraft classes advertised. Some I haven’t tried because of the subject (not relevant to us at the time), some the descriptions looked too much like it was an excuse to play Minecraft and not learn a thing.
Until today
I have found our Summer of Minecraft camps
And the boys will love it (the only reason I didn’t sign up Princess is this particular session wasn’t going to appeal to her. Next summer I will know about it earlier, and I can sign all three kids up for the coding camp, which is sold out in the week we are able to go, many tears).
If this camp delivers on half its promises, we will be back every year (FYI if you sign up too and use the coupon code AIM20 at checkout you get 20% off). There are several different sessions, Coding camps, Advanced Minecraft camps to learn how to use red stone (something my boys talk about frequently), architecture camps, camps for girls, and the camp I signed my boys up for.
Hence why Princess isn’t going, she’s not big on games, too competitive. There is a girl Minecraft camp, but I know she wouldn’t want to do it without her brothers. The boys however will love getting to design their own game on the computer and play it with each other.
Finally a class to teach them what I can’t. And in case you’re wondering I am quite convinced this will be a vital skill for their future. Almost certainly in Superman’s case.
Right now Superman wants to be an inventor, and that will require some amount of coding. I plan to let the kids join their Minecraft kids’ club so they can have some experience playing with others beyond their siblings, I was just looking it over and they’ve got some cool non-camp activities to check out.
Summer of Minecraft camp is what I would call a win, win, win for everyone
The boys win because they get to play Minecraft.
I win because they are learning a skill I don’t know how to teach.
Jeff wins because they are starting to learn one of the skills that is important to him.
Everybody wins.
Great news for my readers for Summer of Minecraft Camp
If you sign up for camp, you can get 20% off the camp of your choice with the code AIM20.
But hurry and sign up because spots are going fast. I delayed a few days and my ideal spot was gone by the time I got signed up.
It sounds like an interesting camp. My daughter expressed an interest in game design camp for the next year. So far she is so-so on Minecraft, because she keeps losing her bearings, and it stresses her out.
Hmmm…I need to read more…but on the surface, that sounds great.
Sounds great! It’s a shame there aren’t any in the Uk….or at least none that I have heard of 🙂
Well it’s online, so in theory you could sign up, but the time difference….. I’m sure that would be quite miserable to cope with.