National Computer Camp - Feedback From Campers' Parents

I first became aware of NCC when my son John was 6 years old. What drew me to NCC was its reputation; several of my friends whose kids had attended told me that at NCC campers learned a lot and at the same time have a lot of fun. After waiting a few years I sent my 9 year old to NCC for one week. At the end of the week John promptly informed me that next year he wants to attend for at least 2 weeks. John is now 13 years old and has attended NCC every summer. I am thrilled with his knowledge and the self confidence he has gained. Thank you NCC.

Springfield, MA

Dear NCC,
It was a great experience for my son. The extra time the counselors took to help him was terrific - thank you for their patience. Today was his last day and he is really sad that it is over.

I am sure my son will see you again next summer.

Detroit, MI

Dear NCC,

I've had the intention of writing NCC every year after camp. However, since my son is 17 years old, this may have been his last year at camp, so I cannot let it pass without letting you know how much NCC and the weeks at camp during the past five years have meant to Peter.

Each year the week spent at camp has been both a lifeline and a time of incredible growth for Peter. If you recall when he first came, I was a nervous wreck and so was he. Often teased or punished for his lack of knowledge of social conventions and other things, it was the first time he'd been on his own. I can't thank you enough for that opportunity! He has always been treated with such respect by everyone at the camp, that his confidence has blossomed more and more each year. Your counselors are wonderful role models for him and I can tell they were hand picked. Going to camp each year has been the highlight of his summer.

So thank you, thank you NCC for being the caring and responsible camp that you are and taking on and teaching Peter and the other campers all that you have over the years. I have never had one minute's hesitation about the excellence with which your camp is run. We may see you again next year, but if do not, we won't forget NCC. Thanks again for everything and kudos to all.

Albany, NY

My two sons first attended NCC when they were eight years old. They have attended camp for six years. They look forward to seeing their friends there each summer. The counselors and administrators have consistently provided a very secure environment for learning. The best part is that the campers choose a computer language to study and work at their own pace. My sons have successfully mastered several computer languages. They have made many friends over the years who share their interest in computing and continue to correspond with them throughout the year. NCC is a positive reinforcement for their computer skills and interests.

NCC provides a comfort zone for kids who are computer oriented, and also for kids who want to learn about computing. NCC has been a wonderful opportunity for my sons to expand their computer horizons. Instead of sports camp, my sons attend computer camp.

Woodbridge, CT

Our son has attended NCC in Fairfield, Connecticut as a residential camper for the past 4 years. The first year, when he was 11, he stayed for one week. Following that, he has attended for all of his available summer weeks, and it has become a priority when setting his summer schedule. This past summer he attended for 3 weeks, and if it were not for a family commitment, he would have attended for 5 weeks! To demonstrate what a great time Marc has at NCC, this year he insisted on getting to Camp 1/2 hour before registration began and as soon as he was registered we were promptly asked to leave so he could get over to the computer room.

Marc really likes the curriculum: so far he has learned to program in Basic, C++ and Java. The NCC instructors are great. He (and we) find them personable and knowledgeable, and eager to share what they know. This past summer Marc thought that his instructor Dan was fabulous. I watched Dan interact with the kids and he was great. The counselors obviously enjoy what they are doing and pass that enjoyment on to the campers. I also find that it is very beneficial for him to interact with recent high school graduates in this type of environment. Speaking with them makes him think about his own future and what he would like to do and where he would like to be in a few years. As a result of his experiences at NCC, one of his immediate desires is to return to NCC as a counselor in training!

In addition to the classroom instruction, Marc loves the Robot Wars, where the campers learn to program their own "robots" and have their robot programs battle each other in each weekly session. He also loves the free computer time when the campers play computer network games. A highlight for my son (and many others) is the weekly camper-counselor soccer game, which inspires even the most sedentary campers to get out on the field in the hopes of whomping the counselors at soccer (which they frequently do!).

NCC has proven to be a wonderful experience for our son, and one that I recommend for any child interested in learning in a supportive and fun atmosphere.

Weston, CT

My son (age 12) and daughter (age 10) attended National Computer Camp held at the Sacred Heart University campus on June 22 – 27, 2003. They found the coursework really interesting and liked the mix of on-site recreational activities with computer learning. In addition, they spoke very highly of the counselors and often mentioned how friendly and helpful they were. They also very much liked the cafeteria food.

Milford, CT

My husband and I are extremely satisfied with the quality of experience our 3 children (ages 16, 14, and 11) had this summer at NCC. Not only did they definitely learn a lot about programming and computers, they had a great time getting to know other campers and the counselors. The counselors did a great job giving as much one-on-one teaching as they could, and a nice balance was reached between quality instruction time and gaming/free time. According to our youngest, "The counselors were really funny, nice, and they helped us a lot." See you next year!

Philadelphia, PA

My 13 year old son John attended NCC for the first time last year - he loved it. This year he thought it would be neat to split his time and attend NCC for one week and a different computer camp also for one week. Well that was quite a mistake. John complained that he learned hardly anything at the other camp. He spent an entire week writing a game and when he came home he couldn't even demostrate the game. The game software was not included in the tuition.

Coming home from NCC was a different story. John was invigorated. He started Java and wrote programs that he was really proud of. He loved his counselors - he says they were so knowlegeable and so friendly.

John made lots of new friends and can't wait to go back to NCC next year!

Hartford, CT

I am writing a quick note to tell you how much Ed and I have been impressed with our son's experience at the National Computer Camp!

Eddie is 9.5 years old; yet he first went to the National Computer Camp when he was 8 years old, during the summer of 2002. We are both very protective of our son and very concerned that he has both fun and educational learning experiences during the summer months. Because he has always shown an affinity for computer games, we thought it would be a great idea for him to attend NCC. Boy, were we correct!

Thus far, he has gone to the camp two years in a row: both summer 2002 and summer 2003. The duration of his stay has been for a two-week session on a commuter basis. We are impressed with the counselors. They are great role models, either college students themselves studying computer science at schools all across the U.S. or adults who have been affiliated with NCC for some time and provide a mature and responsible presence for the campers. We were constantly amazed at how much our son learned by attending the camp and he continues to utilize his newfound computer knowledge and skills even during the school year. The NCC curriculum is challenging yet age-appropriate.

Finally, we have noticed an increase in our son's confidence level and we attribute it in part to his experience at NCC, which provides a multi-age environment on a college campus that has served our son well. He feels comfortable in these surroundings after associating with the older campers, who themselves are well-mannered and intellectually strong young people.

Thanks for your wonderful camp. Viva la NCC!

Westport, CT

It has been quite a while since I was a camper in Connecticut (1996) and in California (1997 and 1998). I am now in my last year at the University in Paris. If I accept a job in the US I will contact you.

NCC was a great experience for me and I am so glad that every year more and more campers are learning up-to-date computer technology at NCC.

Best regards.

Paris, France

Dear Dr. Zabinski,
My name is Araia T. You probably do not remember me, but I was a camper at Ursuline College, Cleveland, in the early nineties. I haven't forgotten about the wonderful experience I had at your camp. I owe much of my expertise in video editing to the training I received at NCC. I now live in Zimbabwe and am still using the skill sets I learned back at NCC.

Thanks for everything,

Araia
Columbus, OH and now Zimbabwe

Some folks plan summer activities around vacations or extended family reunions. I plan summer activities around National Computer Camp weeks! My two children have attended NCC for the last four years. My son first attended NCC when he was 11 and my daughter when she was just 10 years old. They both fell in love with NCC that year and have been back every year. Once computer camp is over they usually start looking forward to the next summer when they can go back again!

Camp at NCC has been a truly rewarding learning experience for both by children. Instruction time learning Basic, C++, Open GL and Java seem as enjoyable as Frisbee games and chess tournaments! The easy camaraderie that exists between counselors and campers and between campers and campers make for a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere that makes learning fun and keeps my son and daughter waiting to go back year after year. A strong testimony to how enjoyable and intellectually stimulating this camp is, is the fact that my 14 year-old son is a camper this year even though he’s already taken the AP Computer Science exam! Need I say more?

Cleveland, OH

Our son may have been one of the younger day campers (age 8), not to mention he was only a novice. At the end of the first day, he was excited about returning and learning more.

The counselors made his first time camp experience a wonderful experience. Not only was it fun, it was also educational.

Tarrytown, NY

As my son just finished his sixth summer at National Computer Camps, I'd like to thank you for the wonderful opportunity you have provided for kids to learn computer skills in an enjoyable, relaxed atmosphere. Anthony first went to computer camp as a 9-year-old and was comfortable from the start, which was unexpected because he is usually reluctant to try new things. He was welcomed by the counselors and several older campers as well. He was able to nearly complete the beginning Basic program in his first week at camp. He appreciated being able to progress through the program at his own pace, with the counselors always on hand for assistance.

There was a relaxed attitude among the staff which made Anthony feel comfortable being himself. After seeing how much he enjoyed himself the first few days of camp the first year, I was only too willing to have him return each year. The consistency of staff from year to year helps as well to make the camp a positive experience for the kids.

Thank you again for your dedication to computer education in children. Anthony looks forward to continuing with NCC as long as you will have him!

Cleveland, OH

Both my children attended NCC. I was thrilled that my 11-year old son and 8-year old daughter actually learned a computer language and had a great time doing it. They came away with an amazing understanding of the logic of a computer language and how to write computer programs--and they finally experienced the real-life relevancy of mathematics. I had to wait until I was in college to learn what they learned. All this was possible because of the dedicated staff of smart and fun loving counselors who provided a lot of help and support, and the terrific learning materials available to the campers. My children also enjoyed the instruction in software applications and playing group and individual computer games.

Pittsburgh, PA

My oldest son, David, has participated in the NCC Atlanta program since he was eight (he is now sixteen) and his brother, Paul (now fifteen), has participated since age nine.

We have been extremely pleased by the program of the National Computer Camp under Michael Zabinski's leadership. Although we didn't know exactly what to expect when we first sent David to the camp at age eight, we found that he took to the program like a duck takes to water (ditto for Paul). They both have been absolutely devoted to the camp ever since and they look forward to the camp as the high point of their summers.

Having counselors who have themselves gone through the camp and thus are knowledgeable about the program, enthusiastic about the material being taught, and available for help, has been very effective. The additional supplemental computer and related activities that are open to the campers have also been points of special attraction.

Atlanta, GA