NEWS
OCTOBER 23, 2013 • NORTHEAST SUBURBAN LIFE • A7
New type of camp debuts for tech-minded children
James Zinnbauer, left, and Anna Cantwell, right, work to develop video game trailers during Mobile Application Development Camp at Terwilliger Lodge in Dulle Park. JASON
Montgomery offers mobile app, game development for first time
By Jason Hoffman jhoffman@communitypress.com
MONTGOMERY — Instead of playing sports or going fishing, 45 children in Montgomery took advantage of a unique weeklong camp aimed at letting them explore their interests in technology. The Mobile Application Development Camp, led by iDap Academy, offers insight into mobile app and video game development with an emphasis on piquing the campers’ interests. “With the advent of mobile devices, it’s a perfect fit to take technology and provide Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education in a creative and fun way,” said Tim DeMark, iDap owner. “The best part of the camp is seeing the creative things going on with the children.” The idea for the camp came after feedback from parents about what kind of programs they would like to see offered during the summer, said Julie Machon, recreation and leisure living services coordinator for Montgomery. “The sports camps are doing well, but this camp is doing the best – it filled up immediately,” Machon said. “It’s a sign of the times.” Campers learn to use applications like Game Salad and Adobe Photoshop among others and while some of the children have familiarity with the technology, their innovative imagines impress the most, Machon said.
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Noah Zukowski, left, works on a mobile app racing game during Mobile Application Development Camp at Terwilliger Lodge in Dulle Park. JASON
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“A lot of the kids already had notes of what they wanted to do before they ever came to the camp,” she said. “You can tell they were really looking forward to it.” DeMark also has been running an after-school program with the Sycamore Community Schools through Edwin H. Greene Intermediate and Sycamore Junior High where students spend the entire school year developing apps and then compete in a national competition. This year’s entry was called Element Explorer and it’s a game that teaches the periodic table of elements. When the camp was over, children had a game trailer to show, but also left with an understanding of the responsibility that accompanies developing mobile apps. Piracy, copyright rules and free-share music and photo responsibility are all taught during the camp. “We talk a lot about being good digital citizens since laws haven’t caught up with technology,” DeMark said. “It’s important for them to get that as part of the program.” Want to know more about Montgomery government and community? Follow Jason Hoffman on Twitter: @jhoffman_cp.
Lauren DeMark, left, helps Herschel Albert, right, create a mobile app during Mobile Application Development Camp in Terwilliger Lodge at Dulle Park. JASON HOFFMAN/THE
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Shane Werthaiser, right, gets assistance with mobile app development during the Mobile Application Development Camp hosted at Terwilliger Lodge at Dulle Park. JASON
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