Connected Camps

Our programs turn “screen time” into learning time – while still preserving all the fun! Your child will learn valuable skills for today’s digital world in our camps and Labs.

• Coding, design, and media production skills.
• Problem-solving.
• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Planning.
• The value of community.

Kids Love Our Programs

“My daughter is in camp this week and I signed her up for one next week… She LOVES it. [My daughter] said the camp is the most fun she has ever had. She wants one every week! Thank you so much. We are a regular customer now!”

“[My son] continues to talk about his camp experience with you over the summer. He craves the opportunity to extend his world and being in a camp with other kids online is an amazing opportunity for him.”

“My son was thrilled with connecting with his friends online, and learning new concepts about Minecraft. He was amped the rest of the day. You guys do an awesome job.”

Connected Camps is a not-for-profit organization providing connected learning experiences that foster creativity, problem solving, collaboration and interest-driven learning.

Three girl geeks and learning scientists with a passion for education and the positive potential of technology started Connected Camps in 2015. Since then, our online programs have introduced thousands of kids to coding and design.

Connected Camps’ mission is to build a global online community where kids build, code, play, and learn from one another. Learn more about our organization here.

As Seen On

PCGamesN

Free Minecraft server launches to help provide “virtual camps” for kids

"In a press release, Connected Camps announces the two Minecraft servers it’s set up, which help cater to two key age groups. Kid Club is designed for kids aged between eight and 13, and is “more than just a free, safe, kid-friendly Minecraft server”, the organisation says..."

MindShift

How Online Camps Help Kids Stay Connected to STEM Skills and Mentors Year-Round

"California-based Connected Camps is part of a growing offering of online camps that fill a unique niche to complement their traditional pine-and-mortar counterparts. Accessible across the U.S. and around the world, the camp offers programs in engineering, architecture, coding, animation, game design and storytelling, all hosted on custom Minecraft servers..."

Pivotal Ventures

Resources for Young People Managing Today's Challenges

"With many summer camps likely canceled, Connected Camps provides an online platform for children isolated at home to connect to other children and develop social skills and friendships..."

The New York Times

The Minecraft Generation

"Mimi Ito, a cultural anthropologist at the University of California, Irvine, and a ­founder of Connected Camps, an online program where kids play Minecraft together, has closely studied gamers and learning. Ito points out that when kids delve into this hackerlike side of the game — concocting redstone devices or creating command blocks..."

Chicago Tribune

14 virtual summer camps for kids K-12

"Summer is approaching, and thankfully, parents, you’ll get a break from facilitating e-learning... For kids ages 8 to 13, Connected Camps provides weeklong courses that last 90 minutes each day. General topics cover the arts, e-sports, technology and more. Classes are coed and there are some girls-only options..."

Parade

45+ Virtual Summer Camps to Keep Kids Busy While Safely Social Distancing

"The coronavirus pandemic has thrown a serious wrench into most summer camp plans for kids... Connected Camps offer week-long Minecraft-based camps for kids ages 8 to 13 that teach skills like coding, game design and engineering, with some programs just for girls as well..."

Common Sense Media

15 Online "Camps" Fill Kids' Summer with Learning Adventures

"From outdoor exploration to summer enrichment to computer coding, online camps keep kids busy, learning, and having fun...Connected Camps offers weeklong, instructor-led camps focusing on topics like coding, game design, and engineering..."

NPR

Virtual Summer Camp Uses 'Minecraft' To Teach Digital Skills

"Let's hear now about a distinct kind of summer camp. It may not even meet your definition of summer camp because you don't spend much time outside. Instead of sleeping in cabins, the campers get to build them virtually inside the wildly popular videogame Minecraft. It's a new and nationwide program from an organization called Connected Camps..."

popsugar

7 Virtual Summer Camps That Will Keep Your Little Ones Engaged

"Obviously, due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, summer plans are on hold until further notice. And for families who rely on camp during the warmer months, this can be problematic... Tech-savvy kiddos ages 8 to 13 can explore their passions using Connected Camps' week-long, multisession lessons that explore Minecraft and coding..."

The Journal

Students Get Online Minecraft Camp Opportunity

"Nonprofit Connected Camps has structured online summer camp programs. Almost all involve the use of Minecraft. This isn't the organization's first foray into online summer camps; more than 10,000 young people have participated in its programs over the last five years..."

The 74

Analysis: Is Summer Canceled? From Virtual Camp to Family Mental Health Supports to Outdoor Adventures (Really!)...

"Online camps can also be deeply social experiences. For example, Connected Camps, an effort that long predated COVID-19, offers online camps on Minecraft, e-sports and digital maker spaces where students form meaningful connections. And even “online” models can support offline play..."

EdSurge

Games Can Breed Uncivil Behavior. They Can Also Teach Digital Citizenship.

"For most children, online video games offer an early window into social interactions with friends—and strangers... Connected Camps offers a virtual camp where students play together in a Minecraft world with adults who teach them the ropes of creativity, coding and collaboration skills..."

NYC Tech Mommy

Online Minecraft Summer Camps Your Kids Will Love + Giveaway

"If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you already know that my kid is Minecraft obsessed! What kid isn’t? You may also recall that a couple of years ago I discovered Connected Camps and I signed my kid up for Minecraft Summer Camp. That was an exciting Summer of Minecraft for both of us!"

Geek Dad

Kids Love ‘Minecraft?’ Try the Afterschool Code and Play Labs at Connected Camps!

"Minecraft continues to be one of the best ways for kids to get exciting about computers, and delving into coding, game design, and the nuts and bolts of building digital things. And possibly the best way to let your kids explore this side of Minecraft is through the programs at Connected Camps..."

Real Simple

22 Virtual Summer Camps to Keep the Kids Entertained (and You Sane) This Summer.

"The coronavirus pandemic has already shuttered many beloved camps for the 2020 summer camp season... Connected Camps is for all the young tech fans out there, with classes in Minecraft and Roblox design and coding and an e-sports leagues for Fortnite and Overwatch fans..."

Popular Mechanics

7 Virtual Summer Camps That Will Keep Your Little Ones Engaged

"If you can’t get your kid to stop playing video games, have them put their screen time to good use. Connected Camps uses a free Minecraft server to host many types of classes involving engineering, survival lessons, animation, and astrology. Starting now through August 14, you can sign up for a week long co-ed or girls-only camp for kids between 8 and 13 years old..."

Medium

It’s the Relationships, Stupid: Connected Camps Mid-Summer Report

"Two years ago, Connected Camps and Institute of Play launched Minecraft Summer of Learning, piloting a new model for in-game virtual summer camps. We’ve served over two thousand families since then, and are mid-way through summer 3.0..."