Digital Media Camps

Beginning Game Design
Ages 8-12
with Freshi Media
Beginning Game Developers work in pairs to conceive, design and build their own original computer game from scratch. Everything created for their game is original to the team�the characters, the action, the background, the music and the format. Participants learn the fundamental game elements and build a single platform game that can be shared with friends on-line. Every team completes a game by the end of the program. Please note: Software and final games are for PC only, but Mac users can play the games through the website.
Location: CAB

From Story to Screen
Ages 5-7
with Freshi Media
This is a beginning digital filmmaking class. The program begins with a well-known children's story or nursery rhythm that the young participants can relate to. Together, the group chooses the story they want to film. They next learn to convert the story into a visual storyboard series. Using basic cameras and editing software, they are led through a cinematic process from pre-production, production and post-production and, at the end of the program, they complete an
original short film based on their chosen and familiar children's story.
Location: CAB

Comic Book Creators
Ages 5-7
with Freshi Media
Participants learn the fundamentals of creating a dynamic and visually exciting digital comic book. Using basic digital still cameras and software, students will work in groups to create stories, panels and layouts of comic book pages as well as learn the fundamentals of storyboarding and page layout. Polishing their comic book, they will add text, dialogue, graphics and vivid colors to bring their pages to life! All work is original to the participants and the copyrights belong to the creators.
Location: CAB

The Pirate Movie
Ages 5-10
with Freshi Media
The Pirate Movie starts with a completed action-adventure script that challenges the young filmmakers to integrate some simple special effects into their digital film. Adding to the film's theatricality, they may bring props and costumes from home to heighten the authenticity of the film, although, basic costumes and props are provided by the program. Using basic video cameras and editing software, they take on the various key roles of the filmmaking process - those of director, editor, producer, and actors. They produce the script, as written, and complete a digital short film to be screened on the last day of class for families and friends. The final film is posted on the Freshi website at www.freshimedia.com and/or can be downloaded on a personal thumb drive by the participants.
Location: CAB

Animate Anything!
Ages 5-7
with Freshi Media
This digital class introduces young participants to the fundamentals of Stop-Motion animation. Using basic software, the participants are introduced to all the tools necessary to animate objects, from Lego blocks to action figures, drawings from a single line to a character or a model/miniature set to create special effects – any object will do! The young animators begin by developing a storyboard for a short animated film. They are mentored through a creative process that will lead them to a finished short animated film at the conclusion of the program.
Location: CAB

Filmmaking From Script to Premiere
Ages 8-12 & 13-16
with Freshi Media
This class begins with a completed script, allowing the participants to immediately get into the substance of a project in small groups. From a book of scripts, the group decides on the genre of film they want to produce: comedy, drama, sci-fi, action adventure or horror. The group begins with creating the storyboards for their film. Using basic video cameras and editing software, they produce the film, integrating simple special effects, sound effects and a musical score that is specific to the theme of their film. They learn camera angles, film etiquette and vocabulary, as well as how to use digital film tools. These learned skills should translate outside of the class to their home video camera and computer so they can continue with their digital storytelling after the class is over. The final class will premiere their movie for the benefit of family and friends, a fun and interactive way to wrap a film production!
Location: CAB

LEGO Flix
Ages 7-13 in appropriate age groups
with Incrediflix
We know you love Legos and we know you can create incredible worlds. Now it's time to bring those worlds to life in Lego animated flix! We provide the Legos, and you provide your imagination. Students will create a Lego set with Lego characters for a movie they storyboard, write, shoot, and voiceover in age appropriate groups. A $30 Production Fee is payable at 1st class. All flix will be professionally edited and a DVD will be mailed to every student. Sign up for AM & PM and get Lunch supervision for FREE as well as one production fee waived! Check out our website for examples of each camp! www.IncrediFlix.com

Code	Days	Time	Date	Fee	Location
10.364	M-F	9am-12pm	6/25-6/29	$175 / $195 NR	CAB
10.365	M-F	1-4pm	8/13-8/17	$175 / $195 NR	SCC

Filmmaking Flix
Ages 7-13 in appropriate age groups
with Incrediflix
Are you the next star director? Actor? Writer? Cameraman? Of course you are, and you get to do it all in these live action flix! You'll work in groups to make your vision come true in these movies where you'll act, write, direct, and more. A $30 Production Fee is payable at 1st class. All flix will be professionally edited and a DVD will be mailed to every student. Sign up for AM & PM and get Lunch supervision for FREE as well as one production fee waived! Check out our website for examples of each camp! www.IncrediFlix.com

Code	Days	Time	Date	Fee	Location
10.366	M-F	1-4pm	6/25-6/29	$175 / $195 NR	CAB
10.367	M-F	9am-12pm	8/13-8/17	$175 / $195 NR	SCC

Cartoon Flix
Ages 7-13 in appropriate age groups
with Incrediflix
Your characters can fly over mountaintops, destroy cities, or swim the deepest oceans! In age appropriate groups, you'll make a paper-animated flick where you get to create your own character, build backgrounds, shoot your movie, and provide the voice for your character. A $30 Production Fee is payable at 1st class. All flix will be professionally edited and a DVD will be mailed to every student. Sign up for AM & PM and get Lunch supervision for FREE as well as one production fee waived! Check out our website for examples of each camp! www.IncrediFlix.com

Code	Days	Time	Date	Fee	Location
10.368	M-F	9am-12pm	7/23-7/27	$175 / $195 NR	SCC

Animation Flix
Ages 7-13 in appropriate age groups
with Incrediflix
Join us for the ultimate in animation creation. Each day you'll make a new movie, with different styles of stop-motion animation. Furniture may run across the floor, clay stars may explode, or your favorite toy may even come to life! This is the ultimate arts and crafts camp where you will create, direct, and film in age appropriate groups. A $30 Production Fee is payable at 1st class. All flix will be professionally edited and a DVD will be mailed to every student. Sign up for AM & PM and get Lunch supervision for FREE as well as one production fee waived! Check out our website for examples of each camp! www.IncrediFlix.com

Code	Days	Time	Date	Fee	Location
10.362	M-F	1-4pm	7/23-7/27	$175 / $195 NR	SCC

Writing

Fundamentals of Creative Writing
with Lekha School of Creative Writing
Age 6-10
Campers will learn the time-tested methods to overcome writer�s block. As they do so, they will write short stories, poems, and short skits. Students will also be introduced to the different methods of getting past writer's block. All instructors are published authors with experience teaching.
Location: CAB

Writing Conversations
with Lekha School of Creative Writing
Age 6-8
The art of correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar will be taught through interactive lessons. Composition will be introduced through paragraph structure. Students will be taught to use these conventions to enhance the readability of their writing. All instructors are published authors with experience teaching.
Location: CAB

Narrative Essay Writing
with Lekha School of Creative Writing
Age 8-10
Students will learn to write the narrative essay, which focuses on developing a student�s ability to write in the first person and to follow a linear narrative structure. Students will write three to five paragraph essays, which is the structure favored by most school teachers. They will also learn how to plan and outline their essays properly before writing, as well as how to revise their essays. All instructors are published authors with experience teaching.
Location: CAB

Story Writing
with Lekha School of Creative Writing
Age 6-10
The five elements of story writing will be the focus during this week. Campers will take home a portfolio of short stories in various genres. All instructors are published authors with experience teaching.
Location: CAB

Reading Comprehension
with Lekha School of Creative Writing
Age 6-8
Students will be taught different reading strategies to enhance comprehension of a given text. They will use these tools to interpret, summarize, analyze text, and text structure. They will also learn how
to monitor their comprehension levels and how to fix any problems in their comprehension. All instructors are published authors with experience teaching.
Location: CAB

Persuavive Essay Writing
with Lekha School of Creative Writing
Age 8-10
Students will learn to write the persuasive essay, which focuses on developing a student's ability to support a stated opinion. Students will write three to five paragraph essays, which is the structure favored by school teachers. They also will learn how to plan and outline their essays properly before writing, as well as how to revise their essays. All instructors are published authors with experience teaching.
Location: CAB

Literary Expeditions
Grades 2nd-5th
with Synapse School staff
Make the book come alive. Write and publish your own fantasy story! Inspired by Joseph Campbell's writings, students will explore the elements of mythology through an experiential and integrated arts approach to learning. They will read and share about myths and fantasy stories with peers. Socially-oriented activities will enrich the appreciation of fiction with creative approaches to reading, conversations, and writing. Imaginative fiction will be explored as metaphors that connect to everyday experiences. Students will interpret literary experiences and form personal insights about life and living in the 21st century. The program culminates with original stories written and designed by the participants.
Location: Synapse School 3375 Edison Way, Menlo Park, 94025

Keyboarding / Typing

Keyboarding Virtuoso
Grades 2nd-5th
with Synapse School staff
Want to improve your student's typing skills? We teach touch-typing to kids using a combination of modern, interactive games and traditional instruction. Based on skill level, students will be provided with an individualized plan for the week. Students learn mnemonic tricks, sing QWERTY songs, and practice proper ergonomics through team-games, drills, and one-on-one coaching. There will be incentive prizes and more!
Location: Synapse School 3375 Edison Way, Menlo Park, 94025

Chess

CHESS
Grades 2nd-5th
with Synapse School staff
Students will have two 15-20 minute lessons in the beginning of every hour. Each day, students will have an internal tournament and at the end of each day, a review of strategies will be conducted in the class where students will share about their experiences in the games they played.
Beginning: Students will learn chess fundamentals.
Intermediate: Students will learn advanced strategies engage in more sophisticated chess skills and notation.
Location: Synapse School 3375 Edison Way, Menlo Park, 94025

Math Camps

EXPERIENTIAL MATH
Grades K-1st & 1st -3rd (plus Girls only option)
with Synapse School staff
Math and Stories! Children enjoy listening and telling stories. Students will explore mathematical thinking through stories that incorporate logical thinking, number sense, and more. They will learn to see patterns, build things, and count with shapes and connect fairy tales and everyday stories with counting and computing. The young learners will measure with their hands, feet, strings, and rules. Solve problems faced by story characters. Children's stories spark a child's imagination. If your child loves to listen and tell stories, s/he will love to learn math in this way.
Location: Synapse School 3375 Edison Way, Menlo Park, 94025

VISUAL & TACTILE MATH
Grades 2nd-3rd & 4th-5th (plus Girls only option)
with Synapse School staff
Number Play! Learn to make reasonable estimates and see numbers as useful. Learn to reason your way using mathematical expressions and form solutions. Deepen one's number sense and see numbers as tools and not as obstacles. Students will explore numbers through games
and fun investigations, providing practice with operations. Students with good number sense make good numerical intuition.
Location: Synapse School 3375 Edison Way, Menlo Park, 94025

THE ART OF MATHEMATICS
Girls, Grades 4th-6th
with Synapse School staff
A constructivist mathematics course, exploring fractals, networks, number theory and more. Have you ever been to a math classroom where students are engaged and talking with one another, where teachers allow students to question and think about the mathematics and mathematical relationships? Learn different strategies to solve problems, apply mathematics to real-world situations, and expand on what students already know. More importantly, make sense of math!
Location: Synapse School 3375 Edison Way, Menlo Park, 94025

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