A summer camp led by IDIA brought together 77 kids from across Arizona to explore social issues, build digital skills, and present their ideas to local leaders.
What happens when you invite kids to tackle the challenges facing their communities—and give them the tools to lead?
From June 16-26, more than 75 young people from across Arizona spent two weeks doing just that. Hosted by the Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration (IDIA), the first-ever Mind & Motion Tech Exploration Summer Camp offered kids ages 10 to 17 the chance to become health and science innovators, exploring issues shaping their lives and communities, from heat and mental health to nutrition and drug use.
Grounded in Apple’s challenge-based learning framework, the camp invited participants to investigate real-world problems, ask essential questions, and work collaboratively toward original, actionable solutions. This approach gave structure to their creativity and encouraged critical thinking every step of the way.
Camp was held across seven community tech hubs known as Hives, which serve as welcoming hubs for digital access, learning, and collaboration. Working in teams, campers developed original solutions, built digital skills, and presented their ideas to local leaders during public showcases. Finalist groups advanced to pitch their projects at the Apple Store in Scottsdale Fashion Square, where they spoke to a crowd of more than 100 family members, friends, and community members.
“It’s one thing to give kids access to tools. It’s another for them to have the space and agency to create solutions to the issues they face every day,” said Dr. Erin Carr-Jordan, President and CEO of IDIA. “This camp has been about connecting those dots: technology, community, and lived experience. I am so proud of what all of our campers accomplished.”
Tech skills with impact
At each Hive location, campers worked closely with Digital Navigators—trained mentors who supported them through the full creative process. From storyboarding and logo design to editing, presentation planning, and public speaking, Digital Navigators helped turn rough concepts into ready-to-share projects.
Over the course of two weeks, campers built confidence as they explored tools like Keynote, iMovie, and Canva, while sharpening skills in communication, research, and teamwork. Final products included public service announcements, branding elements, and presentation scripts focused on real-world issues chosen by the youth themselves.
At its core, the camp gave young people the chance to lead with their ideas, voices, and creativity. Every session was an opportunity to collaborate, problem-solve, and take ownership of their work.
Caregivers shared just how deeply their children were impacted. One parent noted that their child gained “courage, a sense of belonging, and ways to bring his ideas to life.” Another reflected, “They learned teamwork and increased their confidence. Independence in decision making and problem solving. They learned that screens and technology have more to offer than just video games.”
For others, the sense of inclusion and emotional connection stood out most. “Our experience with the IDIA camp was amazing,” said Samantha Barnes, mother to a camper. “Not only did my son learn valuable life lessons and skills—he found a place he could truly be himself and was celebrated for it. A memorable experience for him and the rest of our family as we observed.”
From Practice to Presentation
As their projects came together, each Hive site hosted a local showcase event. Campers stood before community members, caregivers, and civic leaders to share their work and describe their process. These community events helped young people practice public speaking in supportive, familiar environments—many for the first time.
Digital Navigators were present every step of the way, helping campers rehearse, troubleshoot, and build confidence before taking the mic. Presenting locally allowed campers to reflect on how far they’d come in just two weeks.
The Core of Innovation: Live from Apple
Finalist teams from across the Hives were then invited to present their projects at Apple Scottsdale Fashion Square. The usual Apple Forum transformed into a stage for the campers, drawing an audience of over 100 attendees. Campers pitched their ideas with poise, purpose, and pride—surrounded by cheering caregivers, peers, and curious onlookers.
Apple’s team members provided technical support, a professional and welcoming presentation space, and behind-the-scenes collaboration to help bring the event to life. Digital Navigators supported campers on-site, coaching them through their final run-throughs and helping them adjust in real time.
“Apple is proud to support the work IDIA is doing to inspire the next generation of innovators,” said Stacy Erb, Director of Apple’s Community Education Initiative. “This partnership is helping students to build confidence and empowering communities, with technology and creativity as their tools.”
The experience marked a turning point for many campers. They weren’t just presenting—they were being seen.
“Presenting at the Apple Store was a defining moment,” said Dr. Erin Carr-Jordan. “It built on other powerful experiences like sharing their work with local community members who offered feedback through their own lived experience. Mentorship from the Apple Health team helped make the work of health innovation feel real and possible. For many of our campers, this was the first time they were seen not as kids, but as creators. That kind of experience stays with you.”
That sense of belonging resonated deeply for families, too. “Taking part in the Summer Camp was such a great experience for [my son],” shared Donnie Hernandez, mother of a camper. “He was engaged in an environment of inclusion, growth, and expression that has helped to expand his already vibrant personality. Jay has found his people—and I couldn’t be happier!”
Powered by partnership
Behind the scenes, the camp was supported by a broad network of partners committed to youth engagement, digital inclusion and workforce development. In Chandler, IDIA also partnered with a local nonprofit, the Chandler Compadres,, to support campers. Additional recruitment and outreach was supported by a network of collaborators deeply aligned with IDIA’s mission:
- City of Chandler
- AZCEND
- Chandler Unified School District
- City of Tempe
- Tempe Unified School District
- Kyrene School District
- City of Phoenix Housing
- Rebuild Superior
- South Mountain Community College
- Town of Guadalupe
- Child Crisis Arizona
- Mesa Public Schools
“It was inspiring to watch the camp participants take an idea from concept to creation, using the tools available to them,” shared Nick Orciuolo, one Digital Navigator who supported the campers. “They brought their visions to life and proudly shared them with peers and family—and what better place to showcase their work than at the Apple Store in Scottsdale, surrounded by those who support them most? Beyond the creative process, this camp also gave our students a powerful opportunity to speak up and voice what matters most to them.”
A blueprint for for learning key digital skills
This first Mind & Motion Tech Exploration Summer Camp offered more than just a glimpse of what young people are capable of—it served as a model for what equitable access to technology, mentorship, and imagination can make possible. It showed that when communities invest in young minds not as future leaders, but as leaders now, innovation doesn’t wait. It grows—in real time, in public spaces, and in the hands of kids who are ready to build what comes next.
Through programs like this one, IDIA is helping young people see themselves not just as tech users, but as problem solvers, storytellers, and civic contributors.
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