Frequently Asked Questions

 

Question: What types of programs do you offer?

Answer: We currently offer three types of programs: an after school club, track out camps, and summer camps. The topics of these camps and programs vary. Our most popular camps and clubs include: Minecraft Mod Development, 3D Modeling and Printing, Minecraft Redstone & Commands and our Creative Computing After School Club. For a full list of clubs and camps offered please visit the “Our Programs” tab on our website.

 

Question: Is my child too young to learn computer programming?

Answer: Educators have found that the best age for teaching children a second language is between 2 and 7. Childhood and early adolescence are the critical age ranges for children to learn anything, including programming, because their brains are still developing. If your child can give step-by-step directions to complete a task, they are old enough to learn to code.

 

Question: Do the kids spend all their time in front of a screen?

Answer: Our philosophy is to teach computer science through plugged (computer) and unplugged (non-computer) engaging activities and projects. We spend a lot of time on computers and other devices but also value time spent on hands-on unplugged lessons. During camp, we take short breaks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, to allow the children a quick respite from their activities. We also have an hour long, electronic-free, lunch where we encourage collaboration, communication and teamwork through team-building games and exercises.

 

Question: Are lunch and snacks provided?

Answer: No, students are expected to bring their own lunch and snacks. We do offer small bottles of water. There is a small refrigerator and microwave for student use throughout the day.

 

Question: Are before and after care available?

Answer: Yes. Before care begins at 8:00am and after care ends at 5:30pm for track out and summer camps. There is a $35 fee for each service. Children are allowed and encouraged to bring a book or activity for this electronic-free time frame. 

 

Question: Can the software used in after school club and camps be downloaded at home?

Answer: Almost all of the software used in our camps is downloadable for use at home. Code.org, Scratch, and Gimp are great examples of the software available on the internet. Other software can be bought for use at home, such as Minecraft, Eclipse, and Adobe Creative Suite. If you want to know specifically what software will be used for a camp and the cost for that software, please call our office at 919-651-0804.

 

Question: What qualifications do your club leaders/camp teachers have?

Answer: With more than 50 years of experience of combined experience, our teachers have a wide range of knowledge and expertise in education and technology. A few teachers come from the industry with strong real-world experiences in computer science and programming. Others have years of experience in public and private schools, teaching technology and computer science classes. All teachers have met our high-expectations and qualifications to work with your children.

 

Question: How do I register my child for the after school club or camp?

Answer: You can register in person at our campus for after school clubs and track out camps. Summer Camp registration is available in person and online as well. Our online registration can be accessed through our website by going to our "register" tab. All registration forms for our programs are available on our website, as well as, in person at our campus.

 

Question: What is the teacher-to-student ratio?

Answer: Our maximum capacity per classroom is fifteen children. Each class is lead by one teacher that specializes in that program.

 

Question: Why choose CAML Academy?

Answer: At CAML Academy, we believe that learning to program should be a rich learning experience for young people. Our goal is not only to teach children to "learn to code," but also to "code to learn." Our students are taught strategies for solving problems, designing projects, and communicating ideas. Our students learn how to divide complex problems into simpler parts, how to refine and improve their work, how to remix and build on the work of others, how to persevere in the face of challenges.

 

Question: How long are your camps and after school club?

Answer: Each track out and summer camp programs are a week long, starting on Mondays and ending on Fridays.  Our after school club meet once a week for two hours at a time.

 

Question: Are you open on National Holidays?

Answer: For our after school club, we follow school district holiday closings. We are not open for any of our camps for the following holidays: New Years Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

 

Question: What is your adverse weather policy?

Answer: Please check with WRAL and our website for program closings or delays.

 

Question: Who should I contact for more information

Answer: Feel free to email us at contact@camlacademy.com or call our office at 919-651-0804 with any questions you may have.