HELP US PROVIDE THE ULTIMATE VIDEO GAME AND SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SUMMER CAMP!!!

Main Campus Camps (MainCampus.Org) is an organization that hosts video game and science & technology summer day camps for kids between the ages of 5 and 16. With this Kickstarter we plan to upgrade Main Campus programs with a new equipment, improved technology, and updated curriculum. The funds from the Kickstarter will offer our campers with better tools and resources that they need to create video games, conduct experiments, and design and develop projects. Please consider pledging your support to help us provide the ultimate summer camp. 

WHAT IS MAIN CAMPUS CAMPS?

Main Campus Camps was founded by me, Ed Fleming (facebook.com/edfleming), and my family, and offers programs that teach kids about the wonders of what we call STEAM - 'science', 'technology', 'engineering', 'art' and 'math'. As a matter of fact, we like to say that 'Main Campus is Steam Powered'.

I've been offering summer camps for a long time - 10 years this summer. With a love of all things high-tech, and a passion for teaching, we started the VideoGame.Net Game Design Summer Camp way back in 2003. Since that first camp took place, our camps have hosted thousands of would-be game designers. Today, my family runs Main Campus Camps with a mission to encourage kids, of all backgrounds, to grow a passion for STEAM and have fun at the same time.

This summer Main Campus Camps will host two amazing summer camp programs at Villanova University:

• Sci-Tec Quest - a camp focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.

• VideoGame.Net (VGN) Game Design Camp - a camp focused on video game design.

SO, WHY ASK FOR PLEDGES?

While 2012 will be the 10th summer that we've been offering summer camps, it is also the first summer that we will be running Sci-Tec Quest, and the first time that our programs have been offered at Villanova University. As a matter of fact, this year will mark the first time that we are renting space - in the past we've always partnered with an existing summer camp that would provide space and our tech equipment.

The cost to attend Main Campus Camps are about half the costs of what the big and national computer and technology camps charge. However, while our fees cover our basic overhead costs, we have only a small margin to upgrade our computers, buy new equipment or update our curriculum. With this Kickstarer, you will help us provide our campers with access to an even better learning environment then we are otherwise able to provide.

WHAT WILL YOUR PLEDGES WILL DO?

The funds will be used to obtain camp supplies, equipment, and curriculum materials - this will provide upgraded materials that we need for teaching classes, designing games, running science experiments, and building tech projects.

What would we do if our Kickstarter went way, way, way beyond our expectations? While this Kickstarer is focused on our Summer 2012 program, we have a HUGE dream for the future of Main Campus. As the video alludes to, in the future, we hope to build out 89-acres of land on the foothills of the Shenandoah National Park, in Virginia, into a state-of-the-art Video Game and Sci-Tech summer camp. But, we wont get too ahead of ourselves, just yet.

We hope you'll consider helping us. No matter what you pledge, even $1, it will help us inspire the next generation of game designers, scientists and engineers.

REWARDS

We have some amazing awards. Almost of all our awards come with games  that our campers will make at camp in 2012. Some come with science-technology project kits that you can build (or build with your child). And one even offers you the opportunity to send your own message of inspiration to the campers. Here's a look at a few of our rewards:

• At $35 or more, we'll provide you with a copy of 'The Cat Rescue', a platform game designed by, 9-year-old, Laura Fleming in 2011 (see photo's of Laura, and her game, at the Smithsonian in the above photo set). The game is currently featured in the Smithsonian Institute and is part of 'Math Alive', a large exhibit that showcases how math and science are part of our everyday lives. Starting later this summer, The Cat Rescue (and the rest of the Math Alive exhibit) will leave the Smithsonian and then travel around the world. Laura's game will visit 15 museums, and be played by millions of people.
• At $100 or more, you'll get a VideoGame.Net email address. Imagine, yourname@VideoGame.Net, you'll be the envy of all of your gamer friends. The email address is administered under the Google Apps architecture, so you can log into it from gmail.com.
• At $400 you can send a message of inspiration to the next generation!  With this pledge we will add 'nameplate' to one of our computers with your name, occupation, and message. It's an awesome way to encourage kids to explore, and fall in love with, science, technology, engineering, art and math!

SHIPPING DETAILS

All game rewards will be sent as a digital copy over the Internet. Shipping is included in the pledge for the physical rewards (i.e. t-shirts, science kits) to any address in the USA.

We will happily ship your reward to anywhere in the world, however, we ask that if you're not in the USA that you kick in an additional $10. The additional $10, added to your pledge, will cover the international postage - we hope you understand.

ONE LAST THING

The kids, my family, and the Main Campus team, truly appreciate each of you for your support, and making Main Campus Camps possible.

Thank you!!!