Technology Goddess Camp Program Overview;

(to be updated)

Campers will enjoy a mix of traditional Girl Scout camping activities, while exploring the parallels in technology. Age-appropriate exposure to technologies is planned, with attention to increasing the girls' comfort and skill with computer software. Every day will have a different theme which will form the backdrop for our activities. An overnight for the older girls (rising 5th graders and up) will take place Thursday night with a traditional campfire and the technology counterpart – karaoke!

Monday's theme is communicating in traditional manners and with technology. Semaphores and journals are two traditional means of communicating – we'll contrast them with the technological counterparts – instant messaging and blogs. We'll go over basics of email and web surfacing but no girls will use the computers until we cover Internet safety and taking care of the computers. We'll play “getting to know you” icebreakers – the traditional kind with technological twists. We'll cover camp safety and have an evacuation drill, and orient the girls to the digital cameras they'll be using all week.

Tuesday's emphasis is on color and sound. Every Girl Scout likes singing, so we'll make sure that's included – as well as playing with the sound recorders on the computers. The digital cameras will be used as the girls make photo banners on muslin, after experimenting with graphic filters on their self-portraits. All campers will get an introduction to Powerpoint and the older girls will have an introduction to website authoring and music formats. . All computer displays are composed of picture elements called pixels – a concept we'll explore outside as we build pixel mosaics. Color hikes and a walk through Queen Calipha's Magical Garden round out a day that includes a pixel-like snack.

Wednesday is the day for motion as we explore different types of animation on and off (flipbooks) the computer. We'll also play the simulation game of Zoo Tycoon. Outside we'll play active games – including water fun and making vehicles. We'll use discarded CDs to see the motion of the wind in wind-chimes and mobiles that we build. We'll even explore animation with our snack!

Thursday's theme is exploring the world and finding your way. Very traditional camp activities of scavenger hunts, trail signs, map reading and orienteering will be included. Technological activities include web scavenger hunts, using map software, and using GPS devices. Campers will have to find their snacks this day either following trail signs (which might be edible themselves!), or plugging in latitude and longitude coordinates.

Friday's theme is “Putting it all Together” (“Test and Integration” for techies). At the beginning of the week, each unit

will be assigned a digital camera that they will check out daily to record their experiences. On Friday, the units will take the photographs and compile them together into music videos which they will share with the camp Friday afternoon at the “First Annual Technology Goddess Oscars”. Traditional camp rotations with active games and crafts will also be available Friday morning. Even Friday's snack will require assembly and integration. We'll play at ‘being a computer' and maybe even take one apart!