Tracy Kovalench
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 05/98) - Camp is about learning new skills, playing new games and meeting new people. With all of the above taken into consideration, Microage is hosting its first annual computer camp for kids.

Focusing on the Windows 95 platform, the local computer supply store invited kids between the ages of seven to thirteen to take part in classes running all week long.

The children are divided by age -- seven to 11, plugged in for the morning and 12 and over signing on for the afternoon.

Camp began Tuesday, introducing the children to "cool software" tricks like copying and pasting information and graphics from the Internet to Microsoft Word.

"I thought it would be something nice for the kids to do," says instructor Darren Dick. "It's something I enjoy."

Throughout the week, the kids will be introduced to network games like Outwars and Diablo, fun on the Internet and an introductory Web design course.

A computer technician will make a guest appearance on Monday during the camp's computer care component. Computer dos and don'ts will be covered as well as cords, cables and microchips.

As a certified teacher and the company's training manager, Dick normally instructs those on the corporate ladder. He finds teaching Yellowknife's little folk a refreshing change.

"They're less afraid to do new things," says Dick, who describes the children as "intrinsically motivated to a higher degree."

Microage plans to offer similar, but more specific courses to youth in the fall.

In the meantime, plans for next year's computer camp may include expanding its time duration to include the summer sun with sports in the afternoon.