Beyond computer savvy: the career-making summer camp for your kids

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Your kids may be computer-savvy enough to play games and surf the internet, but can they design a web site or a video game? The founder of Youth Tech Inc discovered that a lot of kids want to know how but can't find the classes in school.

The non-profit orgnanization started in Kansas City eight years ago with seven students enrolled and has since grown to seven states teaching hundreds of kids how to use computers in ways that many can't learn in the typical classroom.

"Maybe, the future? It is all about computers," said Ethan Angrist, a 10-year-old student in the animation class. After a few hours, Ethan had learned how to make a 10-second cartoon starring a drawing of himself. He made it all and thought a lot of the results, showing it off to his teachers and classmates. "It is pretty cool."

"These kids are amazing, what they can do in a short amount of time is phenominal," said Kevin Suhr who founded the company. "You should see the work they will complete in four days. Games that I used to play in high school, like pac man and those sorts of things, they're creating in two days."

From classes on web design to video game design, the kids are learning skills and getting exposed to industries they might enjoy as careers. In fact, Kevin has heard from several former students and parents who say that is exactly what happened.

"I get emails saying they started their own web company and things like that," said Suhr. One student started Youth Tech in 6th grade, later became an instructor, and then went on to win an award for Video Game Designer of the Year.

Check out their website for more information on Youth Tech Inc including classes, locations, and rates.

Suhr says the camps start at $100, much cheaper than comprable camps. "Some cost upwards of $1000," he says. That's another goal of the organization, providing opportunities to learn these skills to kids who otherwise might not be able to afford it.