Apple Store Camp Invites Kids to 'Make Movie Magic'

Apple has launched the 2013 Apple Retail Store Camp by inviting kids to "Make movie magic." The three day events start in July and promises to teach kids how to plan, film, and edit a movie using iMovie. A session on GarageBand for iPad will teach them how to make a soundtrack.

Making Movie Magic

Some stores have as many as 12 groups of camps, but a quick spot check shows that many of them are already filled up. Be sure and check all of the stores in your area if you want to get your child involved in the camp.

Apple said that tools will be provided to kids, but the company also encouraged participants to bring their own, "Mac [running OS X], a digital camera or digital video camera, and earphones (if you’ve got them)." Children under 13 must be accompanied by a parent of legal guardian.

Day One (1.5 hours)

  • Get an introduction to the basics of moviemaking, including creating a storyboard.
  • Create an original soundtrack by making a song in GarageBand on an iPad.
  • Prepare for shooting footage outside the store overnight or inside the store at the end of the workshop.
  • On day one, Apple Camp also includes an optional, one-hour Parents Workshop that will focus on using and setting parental controls on the Mac. Registration is not required.

Day Two (1.5 hours)

  • Get an introduction to iMovie — simple-to-use moviemaking software.
  • Use a Mac to import and edit collected movie footage, incorporating stills and music.
  • Create a film.
  • With guidance from Apple Camp Counselors, kids will use iMovie — part of the iLife suite of creativity applications built into every Mac — to create, edit, and produce their films.

Day Three (Saturday morning, 1.5 hours)

  • Film Festival

    Kids will have the opportunity to showcase their movies to invited parents, relatives, and friends.

    Participation in the festival is optional. Campers can take their completed movies home at the end of day two, if they prefer.

Related: Holy heck, but I wish I could have done something like this when I was a kid. Oh, sure, I had access to cool stuff like Space Invader, Asteroids, and Apple ][ computers that previous generations thought was magic, but this camp sounds super awesome cool.