Summer is here, and I’m already running out of ideas and funds for what to do with my daughter. If only I lived closer to a Microsoft store. Why, you might ask? Mostly because of the FREE YouthSpark Summer Camps program. Last week I had the chance to visit the Microsoft store in San Francisco, CA (there are oodles of locations across the country though) as part of a sponsored campaign. I was surprised by what I found on my tour of the store.
Microsoft Store YouthSpark Summer Camps
In the middle section of the store, the morning Summer Camp was in. Whoa—those kids looked so engaged! Even during their short break, some couldn’t wait to head back to their seat to get back to their coding project.
YouthSpark Summer Camps run each week through summer, Monday through Thursday. Participants can choose coding, photography, or movie making. The morning group is made up of kids ages 8—10 while kids ages 11—13 get their two-hour session in the afternoon. No previous knowledge or experience is needed as the campers will learn everything they need to know in the class itself. Oh, and they get a fun camp shirt to wear. Parents get their own mini 1/2-hour training session so they’ll have a better idea of what their kids are learning and to stay “in the loop” with the current technology. Unfortunately, parents do not get a fun camp shirt to wear.
Microsoft Store Products, Services, Training
The Microsoft Store itself is a treasure trove of techie goodness. From three areas to play family-friendly games on the new Xbox One, the preview station for upcoming items like the Surface Pro 3, the massive inventory of Microsoft products, and even the Perceptive Pixel screen just outside the store, everyone in the family is sure to find something to grab their attention. Reservations for one-on-one training are available but walk-ins are always welcome. Enough staff is generally kept on-hand so the longest a walk-in will have to wait to be helped is 5—10 minutes. Not bad at all.
Then there are the store specials. Who doesn’t love a good discount?! Right now, there some fab PC offers for grads including $100 toward the purchase of a PC $599 or more. Oh, and did you know that all teachers and students always save 10% at the Microsoft store? That’s a nice few dollars saved on each purchase.
Find your local store to see what camps, classes, and specials are being offered.
So whether you are looking for FREE summer activities for the kids, some Personal Training with your Microsoft device, or to fill the need for a new smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC, or video game, you might want to head to the Microsoft store. There you’ll find the products you need and helpful customer service to get the most out of them. Just be careful around all the shiny new products. I walked out with a HUGE urge to pick up an Xbox One and a Kinect and to put in a pre-order of the upcoming Surface Pro 3! Looks like I have some saving up to do 🙂
‘Like’ the Microsoft store on Facebook and get the latest news and offers:
This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Microsoft blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.
40 comments
I wonder if we have a MS store around here. It sounds like more of an experience than a store.
I feel so behind with technology and gadgets. We don’t own a tablet or a gaming system. Need to get on that!
Summer camp at mircrosoft? How cool!
This is super cool! I woudl’ve loved something like this when I was little.. oh who am I kidding… I would love it now!
I love that they are doing this! I can’t wait until my son is older to participate.
I’ve never been in a Microsoft Store, I didn’t even know they had Microsoft Stores haha. I need to find one!
I did not know that offer camps there haha wow. There’s a list that I found some activities and other fun things for the kids, you should give it a look!
blog.famtivity.com/25-summer-activities-for-families-in-the-bay-area/
I love technology! That looks like such a fun store!
They have a few around here, about two hours away from me they will be having some of these camps. They sound great, and I love that they are offering them free.
Microsoft Summer Cam is a great idea. Wish we had one near here.
I heard they just recently opened one in our area. I’ll have to look and see if they have camps!
Wow, I wish there was a Microsoft store near me. My 9 year old is into coding.
This is such a great opportunity for kids! I hope they have something similar when my son is a little older.
I wish we had a Microsoft store here! I didn’t know they did summer camps. My girls would LOVE to attend!
I wish there was a Microsoft store a little closer. The one by us is too far for me to drive the kids to a camp there every day.
I have never been to a Microsoft Store. Sounds like a great place to be able to take my kids to camp while I roam the store and make my wish list. lol
I have no idea if we have one here but it is a great idea and a way to compete with their competitors.
The stores are so fun! If you need to know something they can help you out!
I love that Microsoft is offering these youth camps! They are learning advanced computer stuff so young!
What a great camp. I LOVE Microsoft, and how they promote education in children and adults alike.
OMG I am so interested in the YouthSpark Camp for my nephew!! He is 9 and that would be so educational for him! I think he would love it I am gonna register him for a class ASAP!!
I am so behind on Microsoft software. I have been strictly using Apple products for a while now.
That’s really good that that have this.I have not seen anything like this over here.
i wish i had known about this sooner. i couldn’t get my son into a class
What kid wouldn’t want to attend a class at Microsoft?! The store looks amazing.
I like the free activities for kids they offer. I’m also really in awe of that Surface 3!!!
I really want that new Surface. It looks really looks pretty awesome.
I need to see if theres one in my area! I feel like I could spend a whole day there!
Love that Microsoft offers those FREE programs for kids! Technology will be such a large part of their future.
My closest microsoft store is almost an hour away so I don’t go there. Those are some great deals they’re offering though.
Your store had such a great turnout for camp! I love that Microsoft is doing this program.
I didn’t know they gave a teacher discount! Thanks for the info!
This is an awesome program. It’s nice to see so many kids enrolled.
My son would love summer program at Microsoft. What a neat way to keep kids engaged over the summer.
I didn’t know they had stores. Very cool! I need to check them out!
Looks like a great store to visit. Glad they are around for Microsoft users.
The summer camps for kids sound like a lot of fun. I think we have one of these stores in the mall near us.
This definitely looks genius and like something kids would love AND benefit from. I sure wish they had one in our neck of the woods.
Too bad there isn’t a Microsoft store in the small city that I live in. Maybe in Louisville, KY or Nashville, TN, which are both a couple hours away from me. 🙂
Thank you for telling us about all of these details. Microsoft makes life a lot easier. I love that they offer so much for their customers.
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