1/2 Day Chess and 1/2 Day 3D Concepts

Chess
The camp schedule is structured, but at the same time it is fun. Classroom size for our chess program averages 12-15 campers. We make every effort to group friends together, but groupings within the chess programs are dependent on the camper's chess playing ability. Teaching methods and lessons are specific to each instructor, but the main focus is the same: present the chess material in a fun, exhilarating and entertaining way. All necessary equipment is provided. There are no expectations placed upon the campers, and the atmosphere is very relaxed. A typical day in our chess program will include instruction, activities and, of course, an opportunity to try their new skills with an opponent. For half day campers, the day consists of two classroom lessons lasting an hour each, with an hour break in between for practice and snack. All-day campers follow the same schedule in the afternoon: an hour lesson with an hour break in between for practice and snack and then a final lesson.

3D Concepts
Children with prior experience with GameMaker software or are at least 9 years old will learn the principals used in making 3D style games while creating their own “home base defense games”. Lessons include the principles of perspective, scale, infinity and other concepts. Students are challenged while allowing them to creatively apply their GameMaker skills and learn how game designers make the 2D computer screen “come to life” with 3D effects

Extended Care
Active Learning Services does not provide extended care. Our instructors try to arrive one half hour or more before the class day starts. We do permit children to arrive early as long as our instructors are there.

Graduation Day
The final day of camp is Graduation Day. Parents have the opportunity to observe a lesson, or your child's computer program creation. Each camper is then called forward to receive a trophy and a certificate of achievement. Chess campers receive a chessboard and pieces and a folder full of work completed throughout the week. Computer enrichment campers will receive information on how to download their games and software from our website. Game creation and scratch animation campers are encouraged to bring a small flash drive so that they can save their game and have it immediately available when they get home from camp.

Ages
The USAChess chess camp is for chess campers of all abilities from 5-15. In most camps we will have enough students for groupings by ability. Thus, younger inexperienced chess players will be grouped together for chess lessons, practice and play. Older children will learn more advanced lessons and concepts. Video game creation and Scratch Animation cover ages 7-16.

Food
Snacks and juice will be provided at the camp during snack time, however lunch is not. Campers are required to bring a complete lunch of their own if attending all day. Refrigeration of lunches will not be available. If your child has specific allergies you will be given the opportunity to describe these allergies in the forms emailed to you upon completion of registration. Since peanut allergies are wide-spread, we attempt to purchase snacks that do not contain nut products. However if your child has an extremely severe allergy of any kind, we recommend that they bring their own snacks to camp.

Instructors
Our staff is comprised of the best hand-picked children's chess instructors in North America and our computer enrichment staff is specifically trained to teach the software and curriculum. We feel so strongly about our instructors' abilities that we fly them to each of our camps from their home cities. Our selection process for instructors is highly competitive. In addition to in-person meetings, interviews and classroom observation, we conduct thorough background checks to ensure that only the best instructors are part of our team. Teaching children is their passion and their enthusiasm is infectious.