Create, Code and Play during Microsoft’s free YouthSpark Camps at your Local Store

Marin Mommies presents a sponsored article from the Microsoft Store at The Village in Corte Madera.

While you likely know that the Microsoft at The Village at Corte Madera is your one-stop-shop for best-in-class products like Surface Pro 3, Xbox One, Windows Phones, and the new Microsoft Band, did you also know that it offers free coding camps for kids? Thanks to the YouthSpark initiative, a Microsoft-wide commitment to empowering 300 million young people with opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurships, these engaging and entertaining after school and weekend camps are now offered year-round! Today's youth face an opportunity divide—a gap between those who have access to the skills and training they need to be successful, and those who do not—and these camps seek to close that gap.

YouthSpark Camps are now underway, focusing on Coding and Game Design, giving campers access to some of the latest technology available in the world of computer science. Utilizing kid-friendly programming, campers become familiar with the coding environment through exploration and the application of problem solving and creativity.

Smart Game Coding—Campers will learn how to code, program and play in their own gaming world while exploring Microsoft’s TouchDevelop and App Studio technologies to become more familiar with the coding environment and building their own apps.

Smart Game Design—Campers will learn how easy it is to code and create immersive customized game environments with Kodu and Project Spark bringing mobile games to life. Afterwards, they can share their creations with friends and family.

As an added bonus, parents can take a 30-minute course while their child is at camp on topics like online security, smart computing and building a game with your child. While the importance of technology and digital literacy continues to grow, these opportunities can be beneficial in helping your child be successful in the classroom and beyond and Microsoft at The Village at Corte Madera is here to help!

You can learn more about the YouthSpark Camps by visiting www.microsoftstore.com/cortemadera.

Microsoft at The Village. 1640 Redwood Highway, Corte Madera, CA 94925. (415) 413-9970