Find a Minecraft camp near you
We list camps from all the major cities across Canada. You can sort the list above, using filters, but our advanced search opens up other ways for you to explore learning opportunities around you. Start by finding your city in the list below and find specialized Minecraft activity camps (top of the list) and camps that feature Minecraft among other activities (further below in linked lists).
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Other ways to explore Minecraft
Use our site to discover all the different ways to indulge in Minecraft-based activities:
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Minecraft kids' camps and advantages they offer
Minecraft is strongly appealing to kids in lower middle school, from grades three to six. It's the second highest selling video game of all time (after Tetris). The game is considered safe and creative, appealing to all four main types of learners (visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic).
Summer learning: A notably strong aspect is the math component. It also encourages visualization, because kids must often think ahead while building components within the game. When adapted for the camp learning environment, Minecraft gives kids a "break" from literacy skills development (which some kids find refreshing).
Specific skills kids develop during Minecraft play include:
- Problem solving skills like analysis, use of trial and error, and patience
- Computer literacy and encouraged interest in programming
- Creativity and design awareness
- Mathematical and spatial literacy
Real life applications: Camps with Minecraft encourage kids to think beyond the game, and adapt its incidental learning aspects to real life applications. Camps encourage budding engineers and architects, or draw out those skills, at an age where kids begin to dream of who they want to be when they grow up.
Social benefits: Camps also cultivate the social aspect of Minecraft. Kids who are introverted or still developing social skills can improve through a Minecraft camp. The game, and camps related to it, stimulate interaction and collaboration. Children playing Minecraft with other campers build confidence in themselves and each other.
Empowerment: Still another aspect that educators, parents and other observers praise about Minecraft is that it allows kids control. For children going through typical childhood challenges (anything from bullying to family problems), Minecraft gives them a small measure of mastery over their part of this virtual world. They control Minecraft's structures, creatures and characters. It can also be a calming, relaxing release for kids who are under stress.
Minecraft camps offer other advantages to kids. They feature a healthy mix of coding, crafts and outdoor activities that get kids active, while they also learn more about the game. The game has also been shown, albeit anecdotally, to help kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Minecraft modding camps
Minecraft players know there are thousands of downloadable modifications that can be added, for example, Tinkers Construct, which adds foundries that smelt metal into tools or weapons. Minecraft modding camps and programs will teach Java coding that provides the basis for creating your own mods. Modding for Minecraft, you’ll build things like custom blocks, tools, or weapons, guided by experienced programmers. As more camps teach this curriculum, we'll add them to the list above.
Discover related camps and programs
While we also list after school programs with Minecraft, it’s worth looking at other kinds of camps with programming related to, or that develops kids' interests beyond Minecraft. Consider these related camp types, presented in order of age of interest:
Kids’ LEGO camp is an ideal change of pace for the youngest Minecraft lovers, focusing on hands-on activities with this beloved construction toy. LEGO encourages imaginative world-building at an early age, like Minecraft (sometimes called online LEGO.)
Robotics for kids might be considered a logical next step after Minecraft, where young kids transition into real world creation. Bear in mind that this does require the ability to understand series circuits and complex electronics, so it’s more suitable for kids 12 and older. Parents will also be aware of the career possibilities in this industry.
Maker camp is similarly practical, engaging kids with a diverse, open-ended range of products and media. Makerspace is a suitable next step for kids who’ve grown up with Minecraft. Parents love how these camps develop creative skills in a fun, collaborative environment.
STEAM camp and STEM camp apply a curriculum combining science, technology, engineering and math (as well as arts, in the case of STEAM). Camps present this at the level of kids’ understanding, starting as young as 7.
Math camp is ideal for kids who want to develop mathematical skills, or explore an interest in the code and functions that underlie technology development.
Engineering camp is likely more advanced than the above, applicable to kids in their mid-teens and older. Interest in this area can rise out of kids’ early interest in Minecraft and other maker activities.
Coding classes are ideal for older teens interested in programming.
Sources and further reading:
10 reasons Minecraft is beneficial
A Parent’s Guide to Minecraft
Minecraft Modding. wikipedia.org.
Tips and advice for keeping children safe on Minecraft
