For more than 20 years, children and their families have gotten the opportunity to explore their creativity in the form of Apple Store Camps. This year, the free sessions, titled “Design Your Dream Invention on iPad,” will be held from June 10 to Aug. 5.
According to Apple, the sessions are geared towards children between the ages of 8 and 12, as well as their parents or guardians.
“We’re so thrilled to welcome campers and their families into our stores this summer to tap into and expand their imagination at Apple Camp,” says Deidre O’Brein, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail.
“This exciting and fun program celebrates the great inventors, trailblazers and entrepreneurs of the future by providing them the tools and skills to learn and connect with each other and our team members.”
During the 60-minute sessions, which are led by an Apple Creative, participants will be using Apple Pencil, Keynote and Freeform. No prior experience of these accessories and apps is necessary as Apple Creatives will teach children and their parents/guardians how to use the technology. All materials will be provided at the application as well, along with an Apple Camp t-shirt.
After participating in a discussion about inventions, students will then brainstorm an invention that could help improve a part of their neighborhood or help a loved one via the Freeform app, and the Apple Creative will draw it on an iPad. With Freeform, users can use shapes and sticky notes, as well as drawing and writing tools, to brainstorm their designs.
Participants will then use Keynote to insert details about the inventions and create GIFs in the style of trading cards that will be displayed in the session’s “Wall of Fame.” This segment will last an additional 30 minutes, and everyone has a chance to be featured and share their inventions with the other attendees. This final portion of the session is optional to attend.
Parents and guardians must register prior to attending a session. Click this link to find a session near you.
Renee Elefante is a student journalist based in Orange County. A rising senior at Chapman University, she is an editorial intern for L.A. Parent Magazine and the editor-in-chief for her university’s student-run newspaper, The Panther.