Did you know that kids lose an average of two months of math and reading skills in between school years every summer? It can even take up to two months from the first day back at school for a student’s brain development to get back on track. If you’re worried about how to keep the kids entertained and fight off summer learning loss without breaking the bank, Microsoft Stores are offering a free solution:
Microsoft Stores are once again offering free YouthSpark Summer Camps for kids to battle summer brain drain. Kids will learn how to code while having fun by building their own video games. Budding entrepreneurs can also develop, package and pitch their own business ideas for feedback from local experts in the “Start Your Own Business” camp. You can sign up for three new camps offered this summer at your Bay Area Microsoft Store locations, including Westfield San Francisco Centre and Westfield Valley Fair:
- Kodu Makerspace – Kids age 8 to 11 can create rich and exciting games with Kodu Game Lab in this beginner-level camp. Kids learn coding fundamentals and how to build games in a fun, hands-on environment that fosters creativity, curiosity, and collaboration.
- Learn to Code Flatverse – Recommended for kids 12 and older, students can build a Flatverse game using TouchDevelop in this intermediate-level camp. Kids learn coding fundamentals, then get hands-on instruction on how to read and write basic code themselves.
- Start Your Own Business – Offers entrepreneurial kids the knowledge, tools and support to make their business idea a reality. Kids will learn key concepts from testing their product or idea to protecting it, and receive training on how to create their own business pitch. All graduates will leave with a basic business plan and polished pitch, and the opportunity to present their idea to local entrepreneurs. This camp is for students 13 and older.
Registration for these classes just opened and they fill up fast. Traveling this summer? Not a problem! Microsoft has more than 100 stores across the country that will offer the same classes. Get more details on each camp and register at microsoftstore.com/summercamps or microsoftstore.com/locations.
