Free Virtual Minecraft Camp Launches July 14

Santa Monica, CA, July 13, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Research shows that video games like Minecraft can improve math, coding, reasoning and other academic skills, and Minecraft summer camps can cost thousands of dollars. But, such camps exclude kids who can’t afford them.

So, the Connected Learning Alliance (CLA), is offering a virtual Minecraft camp, for free, at Pursuitery.com. The camp starts July 14 and runs through Aug. 10, but campers can sign up anytime during the four-week session.

CLA is a network that brings together organizations, projects, initiatives and individuals working to leverage today’s technology for more equitable access to learning and opportunity for all young people.

“We are offering this camp for free because we believe in equity in education,” said Tara Tiger Brown, CLA’s technical director and co-founder of LA Makerspace. “All kids should have equal access to 21st century skills, such as coding and game development, and playing Minecraft is a fun way to learn those skills.”

Last summer, LA Makerspace ran a successful Minecraft summer camp in person and the nonprofit organization has partnered this summer with CLA to offer the virtual camp.

“Minecraft offers incredible learning outcomes, and we know that not all kids have computers or Internet access to play the game from home or pay for summer camps, so we are reaching out to libraries and other organizations to host in-person sessions to give more young people the opportunity to take part,” Brown said.

As community groups and libraries are being sought to host camps in local places, Pursuitery will continue to host online camps. It presently is hosting a Coding with Scratch camp and a Phonar Nation camp, teaching learners how to code and how to take photos that tell stories, respectively.

For more information, visit Pursuitery.com.

Media Contact: Mimi Ko Cruz, mcruz@hri.uci.edu, 949-824-4587