The first international technology summer camp in Israel has announced it will be opening its doors this summer. eCamp, designed to bring enterprising young people from around the world together for a unique interactive experience, is expecting over 300 children from the ages of 10-18 from countries across the world in its first year. The camp will be based in the eVillage of Aloney Yitzhak, 28 miles (45 km) from Tel Aviv but will continue with interactive and online learning throughout the year.
eCamp Israel is an International Technology Summer Camp, opening the gates to the #1 success story of Israel – technological innovation. eCamp Israel introduces the campers to an enriching experience that touches their deepest emotions and spur creative energies in their minds. We provide an original, creative and fascinating program, matching worldwide youth with Israeli peers in a unique way using universal language – technology. eCamp Israel is an overnight summer camp where youth from all over the world who love technology get together for an unforgettable experience. It is officially supported by the president of Israel, Israeli Ministry of Tourism, and the Minister for Diaspora Affairs.
Mr. Shai Agassi, Founder & Chief Executive Officer- Project Better Place has joined the team of ecamp Israel as Chief Scientist.
“As one of the global centers of technological innovation, it is time Israel gives back some of our know-how and share it with children from around the world,” said Nir Kouris, co-CEO and an Israeli entrepreneur. “Our biggest wish is for campers to experience the magic of Israeli innovation first hand, hear from technologists how they persevered despite the odds, and be empowered to realize own dreams in a virtual world.”
Campers to Visit with Titans of Israeli High Tech Community
eCamp will take full advantage of being home to the second largest number of start ups in the world, second only to Silicon Valley, despite having a fraction of the population. The country’s small size, serves as a ‘kid friendly’ laboratory to have access to some of the best known technologists, companies and successes of tomorrow.
“Only in Israel can we expose campers to the brains of the high tech world,” added Nir Kouris.
eCampers will meet with entrepreneurs including the founder of ICQ, now the originator behind the AOL Instant Messenger. Children at eCamp will also visit leading Israeli research centers such as Intel, Microsoft, Google, Motorola, and train in the Israeli Air Force’s flight simulator. Participants will have experience theoretical developments by visiting leading academic centers such as the Technion and Weitzman Institute.
Interactive Labs and Projects Replace Classes or Lessons
eCampers will engage in interactive projects at the cutting edge of technology. Each camper will be expected to design and invent their own projects. Participants will be using the same high top-class software and hardware that Israeli high tech innovators use to change the world.
“Workshops are not school lessons, hence from day one all classes are cancelled,” said Kouris. “Kids work on their own projects in a collaborative environment – a true open space lab.”
Campers will be able to choose from a diverse array of workshops which include creating 3d animations, flash programming, Web 2.0 video creation, web design, robotics, computer programming, or even the opportunity to develop their own mobile-device video game.
On eCamp Israel, Teenagers will get a chance to take part on a unique Google Gadgets Developers – Workshop hosted by Google Israel.
Shai Agassi, Accepts Role as eCamp’s ‘Chief Scientist’
While participants will be able to experiment and explore, they also learn how to utilize innovation to make the world a better place.
Shai Agassi, a hero in Israel’s technology world, former SAP executive and founder of Project Better Place, which is focused on developing a sustainable environmental solutions by making viable electric vehicles, has accepted role as eCamp’s Chief Scientist.
“Through Technology Tikkun Olam (“Repairing the World” through Community Service), campers will help solve global problems that are challenging our world,” explained co-CEO Dotan Tamir, the co-founder. “I’m honored to be among Israel’s technology leaders who are rightfully making time to share our triumphs, and struggles, with the eCampers.”
eCamp Israel is operated in partnership with Oranim Educational Initiatives, Israel’s leading educational travel company, to provide a safe and satisfying experience. Campers will be housed at the eCamp Village, a picturesque nature reserve at the residential village in Aloney Yitzchak.
“Campers from around the world will experience the ‘Silicon Wadi’ in a comfortable, secure, and enriching environment. Participants will experience the summer of a lifetime through the gift of eCamp Israel, where they can learn from the world’s best and design their future,” said Tamir.
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