Looking for something fun and Mac-related to do with your kids now that school’s almost out? Apple is once again hosting free Apple Camps at its retail locations this summer.
You won’t be setting any campfires or applying bug spray: Apple Camp isn’t an overnight excursion into the wilderness. it’s a two and a half hour training session especially geared to kids ages 8 to 12, though kids ages 7 to 17 can be registered.
Each Apple Store location is offering four different Apple Camp sessions including the Podcast Workshop, iWeb workshop, Music Workshop and Movie Workshop. Campers can sign up for up to two camp workshops. Apple Campers 13 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The Camp Workshops give kids a hands-on learning experience with the Macs in the Apple store as they learn how to create their own projects using Apple Macs, iLife and peripherals like digital cameras and camcorders. The Podcast Workshop, for example, teaches kids how to create a podcast using GarageBand, edit the audio, add music and photos, and send the podcast to iTunes.
The Movie Workshop lets kids create their own home movies using iMovie and burn them to disc using iDVD. The iWeb Workshop teaches kids how to make Web pages, and the Music Workshop teaches aspiring young musicians how to use GarageBand and a MIDI keyboard to make music, move it to iTunes then sync it to an iPod.
Campers who participate get a CD or DVD with their projects burned onto it, a t-shirt, patch, field journal, field guide, bumper sticker, name tag and a certificate of achievement.
Apple provides all the necessary equipment, software and source material, but Campers can bring their own sample source material if they prefer. Campers with their own laptops are encouraged to bring them, too.
Attendance is free but availability is limited, so make sure to sign up for the sessions you and your kids are interested in right away.