March Break 2024 is fast approaching, and parents who haven’t yet done so are frantically searching for last-minute camps for their kids. Maybe you dropped the ball because of a busy schedule, or plans have changed and you now require child care. Even if it’s too late for this year, there are alternative camps worth considering for upcoming years and other days of school, like summer break and P.A. Days. These camps fall into the realm of tech, and though they might not involve physical activity, they do have educational components that provide valuable skills, and kids will love them.

Why Consider A Tech Camp?

For some kids, a computer-based camp is a nice respite from the heavy physical activity they are used to at school and in other extra-curriculars. My 12-year-old, for example, plays sports at school, does Taekwondo three times a week, takes swimming lessons, and plays softball in the summer. The stigma that e-sports are for lazy kids who can’t focus and aren’t physically active is largely untrue. If your child loves video games and has expressed an interest in learning how to improve their success in certain titles as well as dexterity, an e-sports camp is worth considering on occasion. Meanwhile, coding camps and other computer-based camps, whether it’s to learn how to draw or play an instrument, can be valuable, too.

E-Sports Gaming Camps

Some parents scoff at the idea of calling gaming a “sport.” But not every sport is intensely physical in nature: just ask golfers! Games can be sports, too, helping you focus on your hand-eye coordination, aptitude, strategic thinking, reaction times, and focus.

There are many companies offering e-sports gaming camps across Canada. Typically, these camps focus on a single game or several age-appropriate games. Kids learn how to play as well as how to become better. Some gaming camps like Valhallan Esports Training focus on PC versions of games, which help kids who are used to game consoles and controllers familiarize themselves with keyboard play as well. These camps also teach about teamwork and provide positive social interaction.

Coding Camps

The jury is out on how important coding will be in the future. While learning to code was of tantamount importance five years ago, with the rise of AI, some believe that this is a job that will become increasingly automated. Nonetheless, any new tech skill a child can learn at a young age is worthwhile. And even if AI takes over running code in the future, human oversight will always be necessary.

Coding will also come in handy in school. Kids might be able to use the knowledge in school projects, as well as for games and hobbies. Kids can do things like learn to create their own video games, control robots, build apps, websites, and more.

Code Ninjas is one organization that offers a variety of ongoing coding programs as well as limited time camps for periods like March Break. This March Break, for example, there are camps like Moviemaking With Minecraft that runs from March 11 through 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the class, kids aged 7+ will learn about building scenes, telling stories, and recording their own Minecraft worlds. They’ll also learn the basics of editing and audio mixing. The one-week course is $300. While Code Ninjas currently only has a few locations, the company is looking to franchise the business.

Maker Kids is another organization that offers STEM-based camps for kids of all ages, with two locations in Toronto. In Vancouver, there are organizations like EngKidz that offer programs in everything from 3D printing to science and engineering and robotics. Those in Quebec can look to organizations like Bricks 4 Kidz in Montreal, which offers spring and summer camps on topics like coding, video game design, and building robotics creations with LEGO EV3 Robotics.

Most of these types of camps are held locally, some by the city itself. So, check local listings to find one near you. A quick Google search of “coding camps + [insert your city here]” should yield a treasure trove of options.

Outschool

While Outschool is completely remote, it’s a great way to keep your kids busy during March Break or other days off while learning something and being productive. As long as spots are available, you can book last minute. Outschool has virtual courses and classes in every subject imaginable, from science to coding, chess to learning to draw, and more. There are classes for all ages as well. Start by searching for a topic of interest that will keep your child engaged and that they want to learn more about, look for a highly rated class and instructor, then sign up for the date and time slot of your choice, either for a one-off class or a weekly one for a duration of time. You can also browse the most popular classes for ideas and inspiration. Look through the options with your kids to find one you know they’ll love and actually want to do.

For example, there’s a How to Draw! Beginner art class taught by a certified art educator that’s suited to kids aged 4-8. It occurs once per week for 25 minutes each time, and costs $14 per class. For kids who want to learn to code, there’s an Adventure Quest: Intro to Coding With Game Design and Animation group class for kids aged 9-12. It’s held by the BYJU FutureSchool and is $34 per weekly one-hour class or $543 for the entire 16-week program. Use the search filters and you can narrow things down to exactly what you and your child will find desirable.

This is a great option for parents who work from home but need to keep their kids occupied so they can focus for at least a few hours out of the day. These classes are also great for kids who might need extra tutoring in a specific subject (tutoring specific classes are available), so you might consider using them all year ‘round.

My son participated in several Outschool courses during the COVID-19 pandemic when we were stuck at home, and he loved the experience. Some parents love Outschool for after-school programs for kids as well, so they can do things like learn how to play piano from the comfort of their home with a trained instructor who could be anywhere in the world.

Look Beyond the Obvious

Every parent wants their kids to be physically active. That’s why camps that involve outdoor adventure, swimming, sports, and other athletics are so popular. But once in a while, kids, especially ones who are already quite active in sports and physical extra-curriculars, might love a break. Rather than have them play video games aimlessly at home while watching the hours pass, have them do so in a structured, educational setting. If they need a break from physical activity, a coding camp can be fun and give them the basics of a new skill they’ll be able to use throughout life.

My son will be attending an e-sports camp this March Break where he’ll learn about games like Fortnite, Valorant, Overwatch 2, Apex, Rocket League, and Minecraft. Some are games he already plays, others are ones he’s interested in learning more about. He doesn’t play video games a lot in general, but with this camp, he gets a break from the go-go-go of daily life while still being able to enjoy social interaction with others. And he’ll learn a thing or two to become better when he does get video game screen time at home.

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