STEM – CTE School Offers Free Summer Online Esports Camp

The Journal| Dian Schaffhauser

An online public high school is planning for a free summer camp that delivers coding lessons in the morning for students and then runs esports lessons in the afternoon for those same students. It’s intended for students in grades 8-11. Capacity is limited to 500 campers in either of two camps, one focused on “video game design and programing” and the other on “virtual reality online.” Students may choose to attend both.

The camp is being put on by Destinations Career Academy, which produces “career-readiness” programs, including tech certification training, to help students explore various fields and learn skills for succeeding in the workplace and college. The company, a division of K12, a commercial school provider, works directly with schools and districts to deliver career and technology education classes.

The coding camp begin on Jun. 15, 2020 and runs through Jun. 25. The VR camp runs between Jul. 6 and Jul. 16. Campers meet for 60 to 90 minutes twice a day, Monday through Friday. In the morning session, students learn about game design and development. In the afternoon session, they work on the skills and strategies they need to compete in esports challenges.

Those who participate will have the opportunity to participate in a Smash Bros, Fortnite or Rocket League tournament on or around Jul. 20.

The company is also providing free “exploration” courses, which run more like online classes. Subjects cover careers in business and marketing, IT and healthcare.

Registration for the camps and courses is available through the K12 Courses website.