BrightPath launches tech camp for youth

Teens with an interest in creating mobile apps, animations or eBooks will soon have a chance to hone their skills at a vacation tech camp based in Port-of-Spain. The three-week camp, hosted by international non-profit BrightPath Foundation, targets youth between 13 and 15 years old with an interest in business, information technology, innovative graphic design, software programming, Web development, mobile apps and digital media. 

Beyond technical competence, the camp introduces participants to moral principles and imparts essential life skills. Topics covered include civic responsibility, technology and ethics, workplace etiquette and local content creation. “With BrightPath Foundation, we are creating a context in which technology is an enabler, allowing ordinary people, anywhere in the world, and in the process discover their true selves, and the values necessary to change their world,” said BrightPath founder Bevil Wooding.

Full-time supervision, personalised instruction, tech tours, daily meals, a certificate and a keepsake camp T-shirt are included. Attendees receive free copies of the textbooks, software and other learning resources. Although basic computer literacy is required, no prior experience in digital photography, mobile development or graphic design is necessary.

The camp is also supported by ArkiTechs, EMPOWER Development, Double X Printers, KR Consulting, Philadelphia Network, Teleios Systems, TSG Consulting and regional collaborative partner, Columbus Communications. “Instead of simply teaching kids to use existing technologies, we must give them the tools to design and create their own.” said Kevin Khelawan, Chief Operating Officer at Teleios Systems and one of the facilitators at the camp. 

“The BrightPath TechCamp does just that by providing youngsters the opportunity to interact with industry practitioners and real-world innovators in an intense but fun-filled three weeks of learning that will benefit them for life.” 

Special attendee scholarships, were made possible by the regional telecommunications firm, Columbus Communications.  Corporate vice president—sales and marketing at Columbus Communications, Rhea Yaw Ching, says the BrightPath TT.TechCamp reaches out to an important audience with a model that can be applied throughout the Caribbean.

“What attracted us to this programme was the unique blend of a traditional camp experience with quality technology training programs. This balanced approach is consistent with Columbus’ vision for technology enabled learning,” Yaw Ching stated. It runs from today until July 31 from 8.45 am to 3.30 pm daily at KR Executive Training Centre, 141 Petra St, Woodbrook, Port-of-Spain. 

More information is available at http://techcamp.brightpathfoundation.org.