At least one summer camp for kids has much more to do with megabytes than mosquito bites.
TECHie Camp gives students third-grade through eighth-grade hands-on experience with everything from robotics to app development to web programming. The camp is operated in five states by TECH CORPS, an organization that partners with K-12 schools around the country to reach young people with life-changing technological learning experiences.
TECH CORPS’ dedication to equipping the next generation of technology workers earned the attention of CompTIA’s Managed Print Services (MPS) Community, which recently provided TECH CORPS with a $5,000 gift on behalf of CompTIA.
All of the CompTIA communities were invited in 2011 to give $5,000 to the charities of their choice.
“With the support of organizations like CompTIA, TECH CORPS can continue its work to ensure more K-12 students have access to the technology programs, resources and skills necessary to enrich their education today and to prepare them to successfully compete in the technology-driven marketplace tomorrow,” said Lisa M. Chambers, national director of TECH CORPS.
Based in Columbus, Ohio, TECH CORPS was founded in 1995 by Gary Beach, former publisher of CIO Magazine. Beach envisioned an organization that would challenge American volunteers to help K-12 schools build a technology infrastructure, much in the way that the U.S. Peace Corps aids developing countries.
Building from a state pilot in Massachusetts, TECH CORPS developed and deployed technology programs and tech-savvy volunteers to assist K-12 schools and youth-serving organizations across the country. Since 1995, more than 10,000 TECH CORPS volunteers have shared their time and talents assisting schools and nonprofit organizations in their communities.
Corey Simpson, director of member relations for CompTIA, said the MPS Community was drawn to the breadth of programs TECH CORPS provides.
“TECH CORPS has worked to make technology available to K-12 students and offers summer camps to provide positive activities and reinforcement,” Simpson said. “Our community members get the opportunity to give back to those that support them and these charities get the funds they need to continue driving their mission. What a great story to be a part of and share!”
Learn more about TECH CORPS at www.techcorps.org. Learn about CompTIA Member Communities at http://www.comptia.org/membership/communities.aspx.
Eric Larson (elarson@comptia.org) is the director of external relations for the Creating IT Futures Foundation. Established in 1998 by CompTIA, the Foundation helps at-risk individuals and populations under-represented in IT prepare for, secure, and be successful in IT careers.
