Master 9 and Miss 7 are OBSESSED with Minecraft! The kids can spend hours playing the building game, as well as watching tutorials and Minecraft generated content on YouTube. They were SO excited to head along to a Mind Buzz Minecraft Camp at Joondalup Family Centre. There’s workshops held from Leederville to Baldivis, Cockburn to Cottesloe, even Bunbury!
Since its release in 2009 Minecraft has become one of the most popular computer games in the world. Played on multiple platforms from PCs and laptops, to games consoles and tablets, even smart phones. Minecraft is best described as ‘virtual LEGO’. In its unique virtual world, players can create their own lands using building blocks and resources that they find within the game. Players are only limited by their imaginations.
Minecraft focus is on creativity, exploration, teamwork, problem solving and resource management. It sure does foster a lot of skills that kids can use in “the real world”. Some parents of children with autism have found that the game has improved their children’s social and communication skills. Some schools even use Minecraft as a tool to teach kids about programming and maths.
Mind Buzz have been running Minecraft Camps all across Perth and around WA (from Albany to Geraldton) since 2013. The founder of Mind Buzz is Sean Firth, an ex-teacher and former Principal with over a decade of teaching experience.
The Minecraft Camps are aimed at kids aged 7 to 14 years old and run 9.30am to 3.30pm throughout the school holidays. There’s several breaks throughout the day, so the kids can rest their eyes. BYO food – just pack a normal school lunch and bring a water bottle.
Participants use laptops to access the game (these are provided, so you don’t need to BYO). Mind Buzz camps cater for all skill levels. Advanced players can earn leadership ranks so that they can help the beginners.
If your child has only even played using a tablet or games console that’s no problem. Miss 7 had never used a laptop at all, but soon got used to it. A handy skill going forward! The workshop commences with a tutorial focusing on controls, keys and other skills need to navigate successfully. The day is broken down into many challenges, themes and games.
Sean asks the kids loads of questions throughout the day to see if they’re on track. If they’re not sure of something, he shows them how to do it. Master 9 loved learning new commands that he had no idea about, the most.
A Minecraft account is not required to take part in the camp. but it is recommended. Every participant receives free access to the Mind Buzz server after the event. This means that attendees can continue collaborating and building with new friends that they have met at camp once they go home. A Minecraft account can be purchased from www.minecraft.net. You just need to remember to bring your log in details along on day. It’s great that kids get access to a safe server that is only accessed by previous Mind Buzz Camp participants and is heavily moderated.
If your kids love Minecraft – they will love learning new skills at a Mind Buzz Camp!
To find a Mind Buzz Minecraft camp near you visit www.mindbuzz.com.au
Discover more things to do in the school holidays here.
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Amanda Carlin has her own food and travel blog. Established in 2013, “The Chef, His Wife and Their Perth-fect Life” has enjoyed an exciting name change in 2021, as “The Chef’s Ex-wife” embarks on new adventures with Simply PERTHfect. Amanda loves getting out and about in Perth and WA, as well as brunching, tapas or something a little fancy in equal measures. With her son “Little Chef” in tow, Amanda always has plenty of family friendly eating options to recommend too! Be sure to check out Simply PERTHfect.
[…] is obsessed with Minecraft, don’t miss the opportunity to book them into the very popular MindBuzz Minecraft Camps. Location: Across Perth Suitable for: Ages 7 to 14 […]