Slcc06-feldman
From SimTeach
Camp Global Kids: Bringing a global youth development model into Teen Second Life
Lori Feldman, Camp Global Kids, Second Life Curriculum Specialist, Global Kids, Inc., New York, NY
Background
Global Kids, a nonprofit educational organization based in New York City, has been exploring how to bring a youth development model dealing with global issues into the teen grid of Second Life. In February 2006, Global Kids Island was launched, making Global Kids the first non-profit to build public land and offer activities within Teen Second Life.
Global Kids Island has become a place for teen residents to explore important social and world issues. The island is home to interactive workshops, and game-based activities, such as the challenges that lead youth from an Earth Throne that quizzes the teens about digital media issues to a bat filled a cave within an active volcano.
Camp Global Kids
In the summer of 2006, Global Kids asked the residents of Teen Second Life, “Do you ever feel like you want to make a difference in the world, but you’re not sure how?”
Camp Global Kids took place on Global Kids Island from July 10th through August 4th, 2006, and was the first virtual summer camp in the teen grid of Second Life. This groundbreaking experiment gathered together a diverse group of teens logging in from all over the world. The intensive 4-week program engaged the teens in activity-based discussions and experiences aimed at raising their awareness of global issues, and helping them to realize what they can do to influence change in their world.
Camp GK culminated with a final action project, where the "campers" selected an issue of great importance to them: Child Sex Trafficking. The teens chose to educate and inspire other teens to take action by holding a “teach-in” event, and through the construction of a build that experientially represents how the issue impacts its victims. The action project build incorporates a maze filled with real-world content, content related freebies, and is ultimately connected to real-world action that visitors can take to make a difference.
SLCC 2006 Education Workshop Presentation
In my presentation, I will talk about Camp Global Kids as a case study for bringing a global youth development model into the virtual world of Teen Second Life. I was contracted by Global Kids to develop the curriculum for Camp Global Kids, and to assist in the administration of the camp, as well as the daily facilitation of camp activities. This experience has given me valuable insight into the process of bringing an educational initiative into the Second Life space.
My presentation will provide some background on how Camp Global Kids came to be, describe what transpired working with the teens for the 4-week program, and discuss my role in the project. Ultimately, I would like to share some of the lessons and best practices that emerged while translating the real life Global Kids youth development model of workshop into Second Life.
