Kids’ Cyber Camp blends technology with the Internet

A week-long camp will introduce youth ages nine to 12 to a wide range of technologies and how best to use them on the Internet from July 27 to 31 at the Yarmouth library. “We will have a different focus every day,” says Cyber Camp for Kids coordinator Jaime Spates. The camp runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday to Friday.

The camp kicks off on Monday, July 27 with a session on global positioning systems (GPS). Instructor Brian Nickerson will provide an overview of GPS handheld systems and geocaching. He will introduce campers to a geocaching Web site and will lead them on a treasure hunt. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the hunt.

On Tuesday, July 28 participants will learn about photograph safety on the Internet. They can bring in their own digital camera if they have one and go on a photo scavenger hunt. A camera will be available to those without one. Campers will learn how to upload photos using Flickr, learn about photo safety on the Internet, and touch on what happens to those photographs and who can access them.

Creating videos and posting them on YouTube will be covered on Wednesday, July 29. Campers will shoot their own video and learn how to post it on YouTube. This will include signing in to the video networking site, uploading and commenting on a video, and the positive and negative aspects of posting a video.

As students progress in school, they require the ability to do presentations in Microsoft Powerpoint or similar computer programs, which will be the subject of Thursday’s, July 30 session. Campers will be introduced to the presentation program and complete a short project. Presentations will be rewarded with prizes.

The week ends with a fun, games day where participants will complete an online scavenger hunt and play games at some of the better and safer Web sites. Certificates will be presented to all participants at the end of the week.

Participants must register by Friday, July 24. To register they can call 902-742-2486 ext. 243 or send an e-mail to wcrl-lab@nsy.library.ns.ca. Include the event name in the e-mail subject line and your name and phone number in the e-mail.

For more information contact Jaime Spates at the Gates Lab at the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Library at 902-742-2486 ext. 243. The library is located at 405 Main St. in Yarmouth.