PROGRAM FAQ
Connected Camps Programs
How do your programs work?
Our programs are live, online! This means kids interact with other kids and our experienced instructors in real-time, online. Most of our programs are taught with Minecraft, using a custom server. We list our programs on Outschool and use Zoom video chat and other free online platforms software / applications as appropriate for each club. Kids use text chat and voice chat to communicate, share their work with others in real-time, and collaborate on projects designed to fuel their imagination and build skills.
- Log in from anywhere: Your child can connect to our programs from anywhere (at home or on the road, wherever an internet connection is available), through a laptop, or desktop computer, or mobile device.
- Small group work: All of our programs are run in a small group setting, allowing kids to share and learn from each other, leading to new friendships and lots of fun.
- Tailored to your child’s interests: Instruction is hands-on and highly personalized. Our goal is to ignite a passion for learning, collaboration, and creativity.
What is Connected Camps?
Connected Camps is a nonprofit founded by three girl geeks with a passion for education and the positive potential of technology. Our mission is to build a global online community where kids build, code, play, and learn from one another. We tap the power of youth tech experts to teach and mentor, and have served thousands of kids through our online and community-based programs. Learn more here.
Where are you located?
We are headquartered in Southern California, and our staff are located throughout the United States.
What is Outschool?
Outschool is a marketplace for online classes for kids. We list our programs through their platform, click here to learn more about how Outschool works.
Is there a minimum age requirement?
Yes, the minimum age requirement is 8 for our programs.
Still have questions about the program?
If you cannot find an answer to your question on our FAQ you can reach out to us on support or by email at support@connectedcamps.com
Minecraft
Why Minecraft?
Not only is Minecraft the most popular video game of all time, it’s a phenomenal platform for learning, exploring, and collaboration. Think of it like virtual Lego. We use it to teach coding, engineering, animation, modding and more.
Does a Minecraft account come with the purchase of a program?
No, you will need to purchase your own Minecraft account for a PC/Mac computer. You can purchase an account here: http://minecraft.net
What version of Minecraft do I need? Can we use Xbox/PS4/Switch/iPhone/iPad?
Our programs now support both Java and Bedrock Editions. Players can connect to these clubs with a tablet, mobile phone, Chromebook, Switch, Xbox, PS5 or PC. Our Kid Club currently does not support Bedrock but we hope to offer it soon.
Where do I buy Minecraft?
You can get Minecraft at https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/
Online Safety
How do you ensure our children are learning in a safe environment? All of our employees go through various trainings that help them keep kids safe while participating in our programs. Our employees have completed sexual harassment training, child abuse mandated reporter training, and SafeSport training. In addition – we run background checks on all employees.
All of our programs are safelisted, so only those that sign up for our programs and agree to our Code of Conduct will gain access to our programs.
How do you address privacy and security on your servers? Although we will encourage campers to keep personal information private, we cannot prevent kids from sharing with one another online. Moderators will remove personal information and explain to campers that sharing it violates our terms of service and risks their own privacy and security.
What are some helpful resources on online safety for parents? U.S. Center for SafeSport U.S. Center for SafeSport is an independent, national nonprofit organization providing education, resources, and training to promote respect and prevent abuse in sports, located in Denver, Colorado. Toolkits on sexual abuse and tips for Parents of Preschool Children, Parents of School-Age Children, Parents of Middle School Youth, and Parents of High School Aged Adolescents are available.
Parent’s Guide to Misconduct in Sport Designed for the parents of athletes of all ages, this free training course explains the issues of misconduct in sport and helps parents ensure their children have a positive and safe sport experience.
2018 Prevention Resource Guide: Keeping Children Safe and Families Strong in Supportive Communities (PDF) This guide is updated annually by the Department of Health and Human Services.
TECHNICAL TROUBLESHOOTING
Zoom Video
When I click on “Join live meeting” on Outschool, it says “Wait for instructor.”
Please check the classroom page to see if the instructor has posted an update about the class or provided an alternate link to the Zoom call. Otherwise, contact us at support@connectedcamps.com.
I’m in the Zoom call. Why can’t I hear anybody?
Make sure that your headphones are plugged in all the way and that your computer’s system volume is unmuted. If this does not solve your problem, test your headphones by unplugging your headphones to see if you can hear the Zoom call through your computer’s onboard speakers (if applicable).
Why can’t the other people in the Zoom call hear me?
Check your headphones and ensure that they have a microphone, as not all headphones do. In the bottom left corner of Zoom, find the “Mute” button and ensure that you are not muted.
I’m in Minecraft but I can’t find the Zoom window. Where do I find it?
This is likely because your Minecraft is in fullscreen mode. Turn off your Minecraft fullscreen by pressing Esc, then clicking Options, and then Video Settings. From there, toggle “Fullscreen” to “Off.”
Help, this weird video footage has taken over my screen!
This is likely because someone else in the Zoom call has started to share their screen with the class, which causes the Zoom window to automatically maximize and go into fullscreen mode. Switch your Zoom window out of fullscreen mode.
Still need help? Reach out to us at support@connectedcamps.com.
Minecraft Troubleshooting
How do I change my Minecraft version to be the correct version for the class?
You can find the correct version in the welcome message we have sent you for your class.
To change your version, open the Minecraft launcher, log in, then click “Installations” at the top. Once you’ve clicked “Installations”, you can create or edit launcher configurations. The “Latest Release” profile already in the list is the default and cannot be changed, so to change the game version you will need to create a new profile. To do so, click “New…”. Give the new profile a name, then change the version by selecting the correct version in the dropdown menu on the right. Click “Create” and you’re all set!
To load the game in the version you have just selected, go to “Play” at the top of the launcher. Next to the green “Play” button at the bottom, find the dropdown menu that displays your version. This allows you to choose the profile, and you can select your newly made profile with the correct version.
I can’t log in to Minecraft.
You need to log into Minecraft with your Minecraft username and password. If that doesn’t work, try logging in with your email address instead of your username. You may also wish to check Mojang’s website to see if their authentication servers are functioning properly.
Minecraft won’t launch because it says I need Java.
Check to ensure that you are using the most recent version of the launcher. It should look like this:
If you are using the latest launcher and are still encountering problems, try reinstalling Minecraft and/or downloading Java 8 here.
Still need help? Reach out to us at support@connectedcamps.com.
Connecting to the Minecraft Server
I can’t connect to the test server.
First, ensure that you have entered the test server address exactly correctly, with no typos. Next, check to see if your Minecraft’s outgoing and incoming connections are being blocked by a firewall or antivirus software. Finally, try resetting your internet connection by refreshing your computer’s Wi-Fi/ethernet and restarting your router or modem.
I joined the test server to test my connection, but I can’t connect to the class server.
You will need to send us your Minecraft username prior to class in order for us to grant you access to the server. However, the server will not be open until the class begins, so you will be unable to connect to the server until then.
I sent my username, class has started, and I still can’t get into the server.
Please ensure that the username you provided is spelled exactly correctly. If you check both of these and are still experiencing problems, ask your instructor in the Zoom call and they will assist you.
I get the error when I try to connect to the server, “Invalid session”
Try restarting your game. Close Minecraft (and your Minecraft Launcher, if it is open), then open the launcher and relaunch the game.
I get this error when I try to connect to the server: “io.netty.channel.AbstractChannel$AnnotatedConnectException: Connection refused”.
Double-check that you have spelled the server address correctly, and that class is currently in session.
Still need help? Reach out to us at support@connectedcamps.com.