Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

SALISBURY — Rowan-Cabarrus Community College youth summer camps will return this year. In addition to popular favorites like baby-sitter certification and graphic design, several new topics include “improv on the go” and welding and machining.

This summer will mark the eighth year of the summer camps at the college. The camps help students learn the basics of creating a video game, producing animated films, building engineering skills and more.

“These camps are not only fun but a great way for our youth to investigate future career opportunities,” said college President Carol S. Spalding.

Rowan-Cabarrus developed the summer camps as an introduction for students to technology, and the course offerings have grown based on feedback and needs.

“These budding animators, engineers, filmmakers and graphic designers often don’t even realize they are learning important transferable skills and concepts they will eventually need to succeed in the competitive workforce,” said Spalding. “Students complete the camps with an affordable exposure to the college experience and a blend of learning and doing.”

The camps cover a variety of topics:

• App Attack: North Carolina Research Campus, 9 a.m.-noon June 25-29.

Take the first steps into the world of mobile app design and customize your own game app. Using a specialized app and game development tool, students will explore the web-based (HTML5) apps and see firsthand how apps are published. Ages 8-11.

• Symphony of Coding: Cabarrus Business and Technology Center, 9 a.m.-noon June 18-22.

Students will learn to code creatively by composing or performing music in a range of styles using Sonic Pi and Makeblock. Sonic Pi is an open-source programming environment, designed for creating sounds with code in a live coding environment. Ages 11-14.

• Minecraft Modders: North Campus, 9 a.m.-noon July 9-13.

Students will create and modify Minecraft characters, tools and more using a favorite game to learn the basics of modding, foundations of programming, scripting and logic statements. Introductory coding will be taught through a simulated environment inspired by Minecraft. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years. Ages 8-11.

• Baby-sitter Certification: North Campus, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 21-22.

Participants will learn practical skills for safe and successful babysitting. It includes certification from the American Red Cross, including emergency first aid, as well as hands-on instruction from early childhood instructors in behavioral techniques and age-appropriate activities. Ages 11-18.

• Metal Masters: Welding, Machining and Mechatronics: North Campus, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 18-22.

Campers will create a 2D platformer video game using characters they choose. Those who like playing video games will probably love designing them. Conceptualization, challenge levels, graphics, sounds and simple coding are just some of the options. Ages 12-16.

• Drone Adventures: North Carolina Research Campus, 1-4 p.m. July 16-20.

In a hands-on, interactive class, students learn to fly and drive drone robots. Working in teams, they will code a drone to compete in missions that prepare students for a team challenge at the end of the week. Ages 11-14.

All classes are $179 unless noted otherwise. For more information on the camps or to register, visit www.rccc.edu/camps.