• Camp Overview
• Camp Dates
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• Camp Staff
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GREAT Summer Camp

Camp Overview

[Note- these materials are for Summer 2016. We plan on releasing our Summer 2017 program in February. Many aspects will be the same, but there are usually a few new programs we add each year.]

The GREAT (Graphics and Robotics Exploration with Amazing Technology) summer camps are aimed at students who want to unleash their creativity while learning about computer graphics, robotics and programming by making games, animations, and robots.

These engineering summer camps will be held in the Warnock Engineering building (WEB) and Merrill Engineering Building (MEB) on the University of Utah campus.

We have a number of programs available (please see the "Dates" tab for calendar and pricing information). Additional information is available by contacting the camp Director, David Johnson, at great@cs.utah.edu or 801-585-1726.

It is easier for me to quickly respond to emails, and an email allows me to make sure I have correct names and dates, for example, when you are requesting a transfer. You are encouraged to email me at

great@cs.utah.edu

for routine requests and questions.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The generous support of our sponsors allows the camps to offer a limited number of need-based financial aid scholarships. Please contact David Johnson at great@cs.utah.edu for more information. In general, families that qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches are considered to be 'need-based'. Please be prepared to provide documentation as needed. I will not know about scholarship availability until the end of March.

University of Utah Staff and Faculty

Unfortunately, we do not offer a specific discount for U employees.

Dates

See the Dates tab for specifics on when each camp is offered.

Programs

GREAT - Elementary:
		Elementary Beginning Scratch: A week-long camp for entering 4th, 5th, and 6th graders which uses a fun programming environment called Scratch to make animations and games. No prior experience is necessary. This camp runs from 9AM-11:45AM, M-F. A snack is provided. $115
		Elementary Advanced Scratch: A week-long camp for entering 4th, 5th, and 6th graders which uses a fun programming environment called Scratch to make animations and games. More advanced programming topics are covered and project complexity is higher. Students should have completed the beginning camp prior to taking the advanced camp or had some equivalent training. This camp runs from 12:30PM-3PM, M-F. A snack is provided. $110
		Full-Day Scratch: This combines the Beginning and Advanced Scratch into a single week for people wanting more of a full-day camp. This camp is offered on alternate weeks and runs from 9AM-3PM. Lunch is provided. $230.
		Super Scratch: We cannot get enough of Scratch and neither can our campers! This week-long 9AM-3PM day camp for entering 5th, 6th, and 7th graders (note the year older shift from the other Scratch camps) is a follow-on to the Beginning and Advanced Scratch camps. This camp looks at even more advanced topics and dives into more complex projects, finishing with a chance for participants to polish their projects under the guidance of our experienced instructors. Attendees should be enthusiastic about Scratch, self-motivated, and able to handle the longer day. Students should have completed the beginning and advanced camp prior to taking the Super Scratch camp or had some equivalent training. This camp runs from 9AM-3PM. Lunch is provided. $230
		Elementary FIRST Lego League (FLL): This week does an intensive recreation of the robot games portion of a FIRST Lego League season, which is a world-wide robotics competition run in many schools. This is an ideal way for students who will be participating in FLL to learn about how to do the missions or more experienced students to practice with advanced techniques. This camp runs from 9AM-3PM, M-F. Lunch is provided. This camp is open to all age groups eligible for FLL in the upcoming season (4-8 grades). If the student is in middle school, the Graphics and Robotics camp might be a better choice. Entering 6th graders are also eligible to attend the Advanced Lego Mindstorms listed in the Middle School section. $230
		Elementary Aftercare: We are going to offer a limited aftercare program from 3 until 5:30. This will largely not be computer related, but more about enjoying some of the University of Utah campus - doing activities like bowling or games on the open spaces. I know this does not solve the problem for those enrolled in the Beginning Scratch camp ending at 11:45AM. Sorry. We will distribute a daily schedule so that you can pickup early if needed. A snack will be provided. Only for students in the Advanced Scratch, Super Scratch, or FIRST Lego League camps. Additional fees apply, please see the Dates or Registration page. $45
GREAT - Middle School:
		Super Scratch: Entering 7th graders are eligible for our most advanced Scratch camp. Please see the listing in the elementary section. This camp runs from 9AM-3PM. Lunch is provided.
		Middle School Graphics and Robotics: A week-long camp for entering 7th, 8th, and 9th graders which uses a 3D programming world called Alice for 3D animations and games, followed by building and programming LEGO Mindstorms robots to compete in various challenges. No prior experience is necessary. This camp runs from 9AM-3PM, M-F. Lunch is provided. $230
		Middle School Advanced LEGO Mindstorms: This week delves deeper into the Lego Mindstorms robotics systems. Attendees will learn more about programming the Mindstorms robots and practice more advanced build techniques while making some cool Lego robot projects. This camp runs from 9AM-3PM, M-F. Lunch is provided. This camp is open to students entering 6th-9th grade. Campers must have taken the Middle School Graphics and Robotics camp, or the FLL camp, or have significant experience with FLL competitions prior to attending this camp. $230
		Middle School Programming with Processing: This camp uses the Processing programming language to learn more about programming while making interactive illustrations, animations, and simple games. The Processing language is based on the popular Java language and is designed to appeal to visual artists, so this is a good way to get started in "real" programming. This camp runs from 9AM-3PM, M-F. Lunch is provided. This camp is open to students entering 7th-10th grade. Campers must have taken the Middle School Graphics and Robotics camp or the Super Scratch camp prior to this camp or had some equivalent experience. Please check the Dates tab as this camp does not run all weeks. $230
		Middle School Advanced Processing: This camp follows up the first Processing camp with even more projects in the appealing Processing language. This camp runs from 9AM-3PM, M-F. Lunch is provided. This camp is open to students entering 8th-10th grade (a year older than the starting Processing camp). Campers must have taken the Programming with Processing camp or had some experience with the Java programming language. Please check the Dates tab as this camp does not run all weeks. $230
		Belly Bugs: This middle school camp is a joint project with researchers from the Biology Department. Students will build on their beginning Processing skills to make a simulation game exploring the human microbiota - the rich diversity of bacteria in our bellies that help us survive. Joint instruction from Biology and Computer Science will lay the groundwork for the group to make an educational and fun game. This camp runs from 9AM-3PM, M-F. Lunch is provided. This camp is open to students entering 7th-10th grade. Campers must have taken the Programming with Processing camp or had some experience with the Java programming language. Please check the Dates tab as this camp does not run all weeks. $230
		Middle School Aftercare: We are going to offer a limited aftercare program from 3 until 5:30. This will largely not be computer related, but more about enjoying some of the University of Utah campus - doing activities like bowling or games on the open spaces. We will distribute a daily schedule so that you can pickup early if needed. A snack will be provided. For students in the middle school camps (HS if necessary). Additional fees apply, please see the Dates or Registration page. $45
GREAT - High School:
		Middle School Programming with Processing: See the camp description in the Middle School camps above - it is open to entering 9th and 10th graders as well as later middle school students.
		Middle School Advanced Processing/Belly Bugs: See the camp descriptions in the Middle School camps above - it is open to entering 9th and 10th graders as well as later middle school students.
		High School Robotics with Arduino: A week-long camp for entering 10th, 11th, and 12th graders; or 9th graders who have taken a middle school camp. Campers will build and program machines that react to the world and to people using embedded computers, sensors, and motors based on the Arduino family of processors. This is a fun, engaging camp that doesn't need any prior experience, but uses "real" gear in creative ways. The Arduino system is used in the University of Utah undergraduate Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science courses, so this is a great way to see what goes on in those majors. This camp runs from 9AM-3PM, M-F. Some interest or aptitude in computers and/or building things is expected for this camp. Lunch is provided. $230
		High School Robotics Advanced Projects: A week-long camp for entering 10th, 11th, and 12th graders; or 9th graders who have taken a middle school camp. This is a follow-on course for those who have taken the HS Robotics with Arduino or have prior Arduino experience. The camp will be more project-based and focus on development of independent skills. This camp runs from 9AM-3PM, M-F and is only held one week. Some interest or aptitude in computers and/or building things is expected for this camp. Lunch is provided. $230
		High School Python Game Development Camp: This camp will use the popular Python programming language with a game development framework to make simple games. The Python language is currently used in the nationally-recognized Entertainment Arts and Engineering game program. This is intended to be the most in-depth course we offer. This camp is for entering 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, or 9th graders who have taken a middle school camp. This camp runs from 9AM-3PM, M-F. No prior experience is needed, but this camp is aimed at students who show some interest in or aptitude for computers, programming, or math. Students less sure of their interest should take the Processing camp. Lunch is provided. $230
		High School Python Advanced Game Development Camp: This camp continues the concepts in the Python Game Development Game for students interested in more challenging projects. Taking the earlier camp is a prerequisite. Students will learn additional concepts in computer science, Python, and game-making. This camp is for entering 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, or 9th graders who have taken a middle school camp. This camp runs from 9AM-3PM, M-F. Lunch is provided. $230

The University of Utah offers other technical courses. If our dates or programs do not meet your needs, consider looking at the Youth Education technology camps (see course listings).

Our camps require that participants have basic keyboarding and computer skills. Campers must be willing and able to work alone and in groups and demonstrate respect for instructors, other campers, and the facilities of the University of Utah.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact great@cs.utah.edu and the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, 201 South Presidents Circle, Room 135, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, (801)581-8365. Reasonable notice is required.