Teen Computer Camps - Summer Camp Testimonials

Richard, Teen - Woodside, CA

For most of Richard’s life, his mother has fought his interest in computers. But anything else that Richard found interest in also revolved around design and construction. So she finally gave in and signed him up or DMA’s one-week “Principles of Game Design” summer camp. She chose DMA because she wanted more than a kids’ camp and more than a place for him to play computer games. She wanted a place for people with “a serious interest.”

When his mom picked him up at the end of the week, she couldn’t believe how animated her usually quiet son was on the car ride home. He couldn’t stop talking about the field trip they had taken that day to Electronic Arts, where he and members of his class presented an idea for a computer game. The class had worked all week in two different teams and presented two different ideas to professionals on the creative team at Electronic Arts. The experience was his first glimpse into the real world and into how his interest could develop into some “serious potential.”

Following his first week on campus, he signed up for five more weeks with DMA, taking both classes of Cinema 4D, both classes of Maya, and 3ds Max Game Creation. Living on campus the entire time, he had the ultimate pre-college experience. He spent his days among teens with a similar interest, working together on projects that they were excited about. He spent his evenings exploring the Stanford campus, venturing into downtown Palo Alto, going to the movies, and working on projects in the computer lab. And of course, there were some computer games.

When asked how Richard’s summer with DMA has changed him, his mother adds, “Now that Richard has discovered others with a similar passion, he has developed better interpersonal and team skills. The structure of the program and the company of older teens in the program also helped Richard learn more independence, which is what every parent wants! Richard is also more self-confident, which has transferred over to school. He has a presence about himself that he didn’t have before. At DMA, Richard learned all the skills you want kids to learn by being on a sports team. The DMA experience is the perfect ‘sport’ and team for Richard.” When asked if Richard will be returning next summer, she enthusiastically replied, “Next year he wants to spend his whole summer with DMA! In fact, I now consider DMA an adjunct to his education, and I plan to customize his education with DMA courses.” Being that Richard is only 14, that’s a lot more summers with DMA.

Jennifer, Teen - Wilmette, IL

Knowing that this would be Jennifer’s last summer before applying to college, Jennifer’s mother suggested she spend the summer exploring interests that might become college majors. Jennifer chose to explore marine biology and computer animation. Jennifer had never done anything before in computer animation, but was eager to learn more. She found DMA while doing an online search and was excited to see the Stanford location.

Knowing that she wanted to apply to Stanford for college, she chose to spend a week with DMA both as an opportunity to explore the field of computer animation and as an opportunity to explore the Stanford campus. Wanting to be exposed to what experts in the film industry use, Jennifer chose to take one of the Maya courses. She was initially intimidated by the varied experiences of other people in the class, but found the structure to accommodate both beginning and advanced learners. She enjoyed being able to work at her own pace, while also receiving a high level understanding of computer animation.

Since taking Maya, Jennifer has a new appreciation for the depth of skill and creativity involved in computer animation. As a result of the principles she has learned, she says that she will never see an animated movie or video in the same way. “Maya isn’t just a program that you learn and never see again, but you really see how it applies to real videos and movies that people watch everyday.”

Beyond the classroom experience, Jennifer loved the opportunities she had to explore the Stanford campus and surrounding area. Living in the dorm, eating in the university dining hall, and going on the DMA led campus tour gave her a real taste of Stanford life. By the end of the week, she was certain that she wanted to return. And hopefully as a Stanford student.

Tony, Teen - Cape Cod, MA

Coming across country from Cape Cod, MA to Stanford University, Tony was a stranger to California but not a stranger to computer animation. Although he had never touched a 3D modeling program before, he was familiar with animation, having developed some animations for an educational academy back East. He chose to take both the beginning and advanced 3ds max classes in hopes of learning a higher level of animation and in hopes of broadening his range of digital media skills. Being a high school senior, DMA also provided Tony an opportunity to get a sense of college life.

Tony found himself picking up 3ds max fairly quickly. He enjoyed the structure of the class, where the instructor would present a new concept and then give the students time to experiment and build the new concept into their projects. He liked that the structure allowed everyone to work at their own pace, while also not leaving anyone behind. For Tony, the coolest part of the class was at the end when “everything came together” and he was able to get a real visual sense of what he had created.

Outside of the classroom, Tony played basketball and went running, venturing into the far ends of campus along his run. But his favorite part of campus life was just hanging out with the other teens and experiencing the freedom to simply grab a bite at the Student Union, sit in a coffee house, or explore something previously unseen on campus. When asked about campus life, he said, “I loved the campus to no extent - it was the perfect place.”

Looking towards college, Tony plans to apply to several premier art schools that have an emphasis on technology. Tony credits his experience at DMA for confirming his interest in pursuing computer art and animation as a college major and in helping him build his portfolio. His father adds that Tony’s experience at DMA has given him a more professional view of himself, of what he can do, and of what other people can do.

Just before he heads to college next fall, Tony hopes to again spend his summer with DMA - maybe even as a DMA intern!