| Generation Y lives in a media-saturated and | | | | already enjoy doing." |
| pop-inundated world. Consequently the average | | | | Austin and Sophie had previously caught waves, |
| Gen Y spends several hours each day in front of | | | | but only on boogie boards. Now they were |
| the TV, whereas in the past this time would have | | | | excited to learn how to surf like pros. During half |
| been devoted to physical activities. "Our society | | | | the day, they surfed on the Pacific Ocean while |
| has become very sedentary," said the Surgeon | | | | the other half of the day they spent in the |
| General. "Forty-three percent of adolescents | | | | computer lab. By the end of the week, besides |
| watch more than two hours of television each | | | | surfing Austin learned how to make a video |
| day...which contribute to children's inactive | | | | game. |
| lifestyles." | | | | "It was super fun, everyone was up by the first |
| Tina Humphrey from Southern California saw | | | | day and I caught my wave right away," said |
| firsthand how kids today are more tech savvy | | | | fourteen year old Austin. "And the Multimedia |
| than athletic. Her children Sophie and Austin were | | | | Fusion software made it easy to take my ideas |
| no different. While they biked, hiked and rode | | | | and transform them into a cool, multi level video |
| horses, Tina wished they'd spend more time | | | | game all in just one week." |
| outside instead of glued to the TV for hours on | | | | Through learning hands-on the mechanism behind |
| end. When surfing the Internet one day, she was | | | | game development, Austin has become more |
| excited to discover a unique Surf & Tech | | | | critical when playing video games. "Now it annoys |
| program at Pepperdine University through Kanoa | | | | me when I play a game that lacks depth," says |
| Aquatics and iD Tech Camps. | | | | Austin. "I know that the developer was lazy." |
| Three years ago Kip Jerger, founder of Kanoa | | | | Meanwhile, sixth grader Sophie applied her |
| Aquatics, partnered with iD Tech Camps to reach | | | | balancing skills from horseback riding and quickly |
| more Gen Y kids that wouldn't typically choose to | | | | caught waves. "Surfing was so much more fun |
| surf. | | | | than just boarding," said Sophie. "The instructors |
| And it worked. | | | | were super nice and encouraging that each day I |
| The weeklong, day and overnight, Surf & | | | | couldn't wait to attack the waves." |
| Tech summer program allows Gen Y kids to do | | | | During the non-surfing portion, Sophie took the |
| something fun and physical in the sun, but also | | | | Web Design & Flash® Animation course |
| lets them focus on their high tech interest. | | | | so she could incorporate her artwork and |
| Additionally, through iD Tech Camps, participants | | | | drawings into a website. "I really liked exploring |
| turn their video game and Internet passion into an | | | | animations, and with Flash it was super easy to |
| educational experience where they learn how to | | | | make my drawings come alive in 3D," said Sophie. |
| develop a video game or design web pages. This | | | | "Now when I surf the Internet I can see which |
| stimulates their imagination and unleashes their | | | | pages took a lot of work and which ones were |
| creativity while also getting outside and being | | | | thrown together." |
| active in a fun sport like surfing. | | | | With their new passions, you may see Sophie and |
| "This program allows kids to find a good balance | | | | Austin surfing at a Maverick's contest or behind |
| of academics and physical activities," said Tina. | | | | the development scenes of video games and |
| "Typically if kids are into technology, they're only | | | | websites. Well maybe not for awhile, but you will |
| into technology. And if kids are into sports, they're | | | | see them this summer surfing the Malibu waves |
| only into sports. This Surf & Tech program | | | | and creating projects at Pepperdine University's |
| makes kids more well-rounded and helps them | | | | computer lab. Sessions run from July 2nd through |
| find new possible passions through things they | | | | August 4th. |