Ride the digital wave with JFK Tech Camp!
Give your child the foundation they need to thrive in the digital age. Fun, hands-on learning designed to spark curiosity and creativity in STEM and digital technology. JFK Tech Camp provide juniors and teens a place to flex their coding and creative muscles in a fun and engaging environment set in the heart of Saanenland. They'll learn important tech skills and have a blast doing it!
During the JFK Tech Camp week-long day programme, juniors (ages 7-10) will be introduced to Animation & Game Design, Web Design and teens (ages 11-14) - Coding in Python and Hacker Mode - Cybersecurity.
Why Choose JFK Tech Camp?
In Demand Tech Skills
JFK Tech Camp’s innovative curriculum integrates projects-based hands-on learning with design and building oriented concepts that encourages students to become digital creators.
Techspert Staff
Instructors are handpicked by our team of experts for their ability to communicate, inspire and mentor students. The programmes are taught by inspiring young instructors enrolled in renowned Swiss universities from EPFL & ETHZ.
Innovative STEM Programmes
Engaging young people beyond their screens to teach them what digital technology can do for them. Our programmes cover over 7 different STEM areas and use industry standard software to build apps, websites, games, robots and more!
Campus set in the heart of Saanenland
Students will have fun and learn in modern classrooms with a small student to instructor ratio of 1:6.
How to Apply
>In order for an application to be confirmed, the following items must be submitted:
-A completed and signed registration form
-Payment in full
-Complete Online Application HERE
Tech Camp Fees
Tech Camp 1: 12th - 16th August 2024
Tech Camp 2: 19th - 23rd August 2024
Teen Camps:
2 Weeks - CHF 4'600
1 Week - CHF 2'330
Junior Camps:
2 Weeks - CHF 4'400
1 Week - CHF 2'200
Programme
Junior - Animation and Game Design
12th August – 16th August 2024
Discover the power of code with Scratch!
This course teaches students to programme their own interactive stories, games, and animations, and share their creations with others in the online community, assembling lego-like blocks of code. Scratch encourages kids to think creatively, reason systematically and work collaboratively.
Prerequisites
• Age: 7-10
• Skill level: beginner
• No programming experience required
• A personal laptop (if you have your own)
How are Games built?
• Basic do(s) & don't(s)
• Storytelling in Game Design
• Game Mechanics
• Game Art & Graphic Design
• Sound & Music in Games
• Playtesting & Feedback
What students learn
• Basic logic and steps required to programme games and animated stories
• Key steps to build an engaging computer game
• An innovative programming language developed by MIT specially for kids
What students create
• Their own story, game or animation
What to expect
• A typical day in class – involves games, exercises, quizzes, framework designs, class discussions and more!
Returning students
Course content is constantly updated and always adapted to students' prior experience and competence level.
Junior - Web Design
19th August – 23rd August 2024
Share your ideas! Build your own website or online shop.
Students are introduced to the key principles of web design, user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). Students apply what they learn to their own custom website, adding text, images, audio, videos, hyperlinks, and more.
Prerequisites
• Age: 7-10
• Skill level: beginner
• No programming experience required
• A personal laptop (if you have your own)
How sites are built?
• Phase 1: DISCOVERY Website purpose, Website goals, Target Audience
• Phase 2: PLANNING Sitemap, Website Structure, Technologies used
• Phase 3: DESIGN Visual style, usability, UX/UI
• Phase 4: CONTENT Text, photos, videos
What students will learn
• The basics of web design (Website purpose, goals, target audience)
• Sitemap, website structure, technologies used
• Visual style, usability, UX/UI
What students will create
• Students will create their own functioning website with photo or video library. Domain name purchase and hosting not included.
What to expect
• A typical day in class – involves games, exercises, quizzes, framework designs, class discussions and more!
Returning students
Course content is constantly updated and always adapted to students' prior experience and competence level.
Teen - Code in Python
12th August – 16th August 2024
Learn Python - embark on the ultimate coding adventure!
Python is the language of Instagram, YouTube and Google search engine. Widely used by programmers, designers and game developers, Python has rapidly become one of the most popular programming languages.
Prerequisites
• Age 11-13+
• Previous experience: None, however students should be comfortable with computers
• A personal laptop
Good to know
Python courses are a great opportunity for all middle & high-school students whether they are interested in computer science, engineering, life sciences or even business or the arts. As Bocconi University’s rector Gianmario Verona said, “Python grants citizenship in the data-driven economy!”
What students learn
• Basic or more advanced programming concepts in Python
• Variable, functions, loops etc.
• Applying Python in Robotics
What students create
Their own python project: a playable video game.
Build Lego Spike robot and programme it to complete different challenges
What to expect
A typical day in class – involves games, exercises, quizzes, framework designs, class discussions and more!
Returning students
Course content is constantly updated and always adapted to students' prior experience and competence level.
Teen - Hacker Mode
19th August – 23rd August 2024
The best defense is a good offense! Dive into the world of cybersecurity.
Cybercrime is increasing and can strike at any time. Good preparation – in the form of a compass to navigate the online world and sort the real from the fake – is essential to protecting oneself against fraud and other cybersecurity threats.
Prerequisites
• Age 11-13+
• Previous experience: None, however students should be comfortable with computers
• A personal laptop
Good to know
This course opens students’ eyes to the complex world of cybersecurity. Built around real-world examples and exercises, the course equips students with the knowledge and tools to take action. They learn about proactive defense against online threats and find solutions using logic, as well as creativity and resourcefulness!
What students learn
• Binary & Cryptography – cracking secret messages and understanding their role on the internet
• Web exploitation – exploring the inner workings of internet & many ways in which websites can be hacked
• Practical computer safety – how long does it take to crack the password you’re currently using?
What students create
• Encrypted images or secret messages with their very own encryption scheme
• Zip file hacking demonstration (to reassure parents about their new hacker powers!)
What to expect
A typical day in class – involves games, exercises, quizzes, framework designs, class discussions and more!
Returning students
Course content is constantly updated and always adapted to students' prior experience and competence level.
Location
Saanen - Gstaad
In the heart of the Swiss Alps
Set in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps, JFK Tech Camp is located in the heart of the historic village of Saanen. Saanen is easily accessible by train and the campus is a 5 minute walk from the Saanen train station and 3km from Gstaad. Altitudes ranging from 1’000 to 3’000m make for heavenly views that can be viewed from the modern tech classrooms. Along with the backdrop of mountains, forests and lakes, the region provides an ideal environment for students and instructors to learn together in a safe, residential community in the Swiss Alps.
Good to Know
General Information
1. Camp Start - On the first day students should arrive 15 mins before scheduled camp start time to get set up.
2. Devices - students attending 'Junior' courses may use JFK Tech Camp laptops. Students attending 'Teen' courses are asked to bring their own laptop (MacBook Air preferably) & charger. No iPads please.
3. Homecooked Lunch & healthy snacks will be provided by JFK Tech Camps.
4. Pick-up – Parents or an assigned caregiver has to pick up the students promptly when the course is finished
5. Open Doors - On the last day, parents are invited for an open-doors afternoon during the last hour (14:00-15:00)
6. Absence & Sickness - if you child is unable to attend one or more camp days, please notify your camp manager at your earliest convenience. If you child is sick, we kindly ask you not to send them to camp.
7. Emergency Contact - if you did not provide a contact tel number at the time of booking, please email techcamp@jfk.ch with an emergency contact name & number
Are you interested in joining the JFK Swiss Outdoor Camp?
Nature
Outdoor learning is all about Nature. You learn with demonstration and evidence. Touching and seeing is all it is about.
Adventure
Adventure is the move that thrives us now in this world. Watching nature will never be the same after our camps.
Team Building
Team work will teach us how to work in a group, how to tolerate others and how to build self esteem.
JFK Swiss Oudoor Camp
Chilchgasse 8, 3792 Saanen/Gstaad, Switzerland
+41 33 744 13 72