FAQs

TechKnowHow classes are designed so that students can learn technology skills while engaged in interesting hands-on projects. Our goal is to have students learn how to do some amazing things with technology—all in a supportive and fun atmosphere.

Camps typically have a maximum of 18 students, with 2 teachers. The camper-teacher ratio for our camps is a max of 9:1, but many camps will have 3 instructors, and therefore smaller ratios.

If a student has a strong interest in the class content, there is a very strong likelihood that he/she will enjoy the class, regardless of his/her experience with specific technology (computers, LEGO® elements, etc.). We have found that interest, and not prior experience, is the key ingredient in ensuring a meaningful experience in our classes.

Yes! Our staff supervise the students throughout the day, both in class, as well as during the recess and lunch breaks.

For all camps, students receive their own building kits and computers to work on their projects.

Yes, we have a 20 minute recess break in the morning and another in the afternoon. During these times, students and staff go outside to eat snacks and participate in different recreation activities. In addition, if the student is staying full day, there is a half-hour lunch recess between classes.

No, please have each camper bring his/her own lunch, snacks and beverages.

Yes, the majority of our locations offer morning (8:30-9 am) and afternoon (3:30-5 pm) extended care. Please visit the locations pages or check the daily schedule of each camp to determine if extended day hours are available.

Here is a typical daily schedule: 9-9:15: Introduction, overview of projects, team-building games 9:20-10:20: Work on projects (LEGO, computer-based, etc). Teacher leads and oversees projects. 10:20-10:40: Recess (bring a snack) 10:40-12: Continue project work. 12-12:30: Lunch 12:30-12:45: Overview of afternoon project, team-building games 12:45-2:10: Work on projects (LEGO, computer-based, etc). Teacher leads and oversees projects. 2:10-2:30: Recess (bring a snack) 2:30-3:15: Continue project work 3:15-3:30: Clean-up and Daily review 3:30-5: (Optional) Extended care

The students work with Windows-PC laptops, except in select classes where we also use Apple iPad®s.

Yes, students take home the majority of their computer projects on a USB drive.

Since we use our LEGO® & K'NEX® elements and electronics supplies in classes throughout the year, students do not take home the projects that they build in class. We can provide a list of affordable suppliers for parts, though, if your son/daughter wants to get pieces/kits used in our classes.

All of our instructors are individuals who have a great interest and ability in teaching technology to students in an exciting way. Some are current school teachers or are involved in university programs, pursuing teaching credentials or secondary degrees in education or educational technology. Others are college students pursuing degrees in computer science. Many instructors have taught classes with us in previous summers and/or assist in developing curriculum during the school year. Each instructor is trained in teaching specific lessons involving the software and technology products in the courses. In addition, all instructors go through a criminal history background check through the California Department of Justice. To view a sample of instructors, click here.

Our camper age ranges are determined based on our many years of experience as well as project testing with students. If your child falls in the suggested age or grade range and has interest in the topic, there is a strong likelihood that he/she will enjoy the camp. If your child is turning the correct age for a specific camp by September just following the summer, you may register your camper without requesting an age exemption request. Anyone who is too young for the camp and whose birthday is after September would not be a good fit for the camp due to the class content and age of other students. It is best to wait a year and/or enroll in a camp which fits the students' age. Furthermore, since most classes have multiple instructors, we may arrange the seating of students so that the students are grouped by age. In this way, one or more instructors will work with the younger students, while another works with the older ones in the class. The base projects, lessons and software used in a class are the same for all students; the older students' work, on average, may have more details, enhancements, and extras. You can call us to get the current mix of students by age in a specific class.

Yes, our camps are designed to be fun and educational for both boys and girls! The number of girls attending our camps has been growing each year, and we find that those enrolled have a great time and enjoy working on the featured projects. If you wish to find out the current mix of students by gender in a specific class, please give us a call. Also, we an all- girl camp called Girls Know Tech, for ages 7-10.

Weekly camps cost $545 for 5-day camps and $440 for the 4-day week. An Early-bird registration discount through March 1 offers camps at $525 and $425, for 5 and 4-day sessions. There is a sibling discount of $15, plus a $15 discount when a camper signs up for multiple weeks.

Transfers If you need to switch from one camp to another, please contact us at 650 638-0500 at least 1 week prior to the camp start date, and we can transfer your child to an online or in-person camp, if space is available. Unfortunately, there are no transfers within 1 week of camp. ​ Cancellations If TechKnowHow needs to cancel a camp due to state, local or school health orders or mandate, you will receive a 90% refund and a 10% credit. If a camp needs to be cancelled in the middle of a weekly session due to health issues, orders or mandates, you will receive a prorated credit for the remainder of camp. If TechKnowHow cancels a camp for any other reason, you will receive your choice of 100% refund or 100% credit. If you need to cancel a camp before May 1, 2023, you will receive a full refund less $25 processing fee for each camp you need to cancel. If you need to cancel after May 1 and at least 1 week before the camp start date, you will receive a full credit for a future camp (through Sept. 2024) less $25 processing fee for each camp you need to cancel. Unfortunately, there are no credits or refunds within one week of the camp start date

Yes, please contact us at (650) 638-0500.

Yes, when registering online, please let us know if you wish students to be together, and we will ensure that they are in the same class and room.

Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email of your child’s enrollment. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please check your junk mail folder and add us to your "Safe List." You will also receive a reminder email 2-3 weeks before the camp start date with all camp details. Please feel free to contact us at any time if you do not receive these emails, or if you have any questions about camp.

Being waitlisted means your child is on a list to possibly get a spot in the desired camp. In order to get from the waitlist into the camp, an enrolled student must transfer out or cancel their registration. If a spot becomes available, we will contact you via phone. We do not increase the number of spots in a class due to a waitlist, since we want to maintain a camper-teacher ratio that is best for learning.