Poll: Nerd Camp

[DuctTapeJedi]

Wow, I haven't posted in a while... Good to be back?

Anywho, I work at a summer camp, and had an idea for a new program. I thought it would be a good idea to have a camp that focuses on all things nerdy. I uncreatively call it "Nerd Camp."

Some of my ideas for activities include LARPing, learning to draw comic book/manga characters, playing classic video games and some other stuff.

I'm wicked tired right now, and might have butchered the description, but I just wanted some feedback.

So, does this sound like a decent idea? What other activities would you add for the kids?
And most importantly, can anyone think of a better, nicer way of saying "Nerd Camp?"

 

[DuctTapeJedi]

Also, What age group would this be best for?

 

[tippy2k2]

I voted No but I would like to explain that since I actually really like the idea.

The idea is a cool one. That would be great if you could have a place where "the nerds" can go for summer and play with their nerdy toys (D&D, Magic, comics, video games, etc.)

However, I sincerely doubt you're going to get parents (you know, the ones with the money and decision rights to where the kid is going) to get behind this. At best, this will be a niche type of thing that really couldn't expand due to minimal parental interest.

Maybe in one more generation this will work (as the 20-somethings who grew up in the "nerd" culture start popping out kids and said kids get to camp-going age) but I think it's a smidge too early for this to work.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

I wouldn't suggest calling it "Nerd Camp" as Tippy said, the parents have all the money and I'm not sure if a parent would want to send their child to a camp for "nerds", the word just has a negative stigma, you'd be better off calling it Gamer Camp even if that's not completely correct and has it's own negativity.

Ideally I think you'd want a phrase that means "Camp for geeks" but sounds much cooler and action packed.

"The Young Star Trooper Summer Camp"
Learn how to shoot everything except the hero.

(Please don't take that suggestion seriously.)

 

[minka1995]

It's a good idea. A local University has something like this called the "Computer Games Boot Camp". Its a week long program for people around 15-19 interested in all things gaming, Its targeted a bit more towards people who are looking to get into the industry. Of course given the target audience it always extends into all things geek and nerd.
Last time I went we even had game devs come down to give talks and look at upcoming stuff.
They also do workshops later on in the year about game development with XNA.

 

[Dags90]

Too broad of an idea, really. "Nerd" is a fairly ambiguous term, almost to the point of uselessness. I don't think there's as big an overlap of people who enjoy old video games and people who enjoy LARPing as you would think, even among "nerds". There are plenty of people on this very forum who don't particularly care for anime/manga.

There's a reason "Football Camp" and "Gymnastics Camp" exist and not a "Athletics Camp" which would offer both.

I think anime/manga drawing is out of the realm of most kids who haven't finished grade school. But after grade school kids start forming specific identities, and are less likely to try variety as they establish themselves. So you'd be targeting kids aged 11-15ish? I stopped going to summer camp when I was 13.

You absolutely need physical activity for younger kids. They get very restless otherwise; you'll never get them through a drawing class. Also, parents love picking up kids who are tired from running around all day.

 

[xshadowscreamx]

''escapist camp''...done and done

 

[King of Asgaard]

I think it's a good idea in theory, but needs an urgent renaming of the camp.
'Nerd Camp' is going to get victims of bullying killed.
Aside from that, a camp where geeks can go to meet other geeks and do geeky stuff sounds like something of a geek Valhalla/Sovngarde.

 

[Dragoon]

It's a good idea but like others have said you really need a better name. As for a age range I'd keep it in the teens.

 

[BreakfastMan]

Holy crap DTJ, where did you go? It has been months since I have seen you on here. I had thought you left!

Anyway... I think it sounds like a cool idea. I would say it is probably best for 12-year olds. That seems like the age when they start to become more interested in that stuff.

 

[Thandran]

I love the idea.

Word of advice if I may... incorporate physical activities.

Mens sana in corpore sano.