About Camp CryptoBot
Welcome to Camp CryptoBot: Unlock the Future of Cybersecurity
Camp CryptoBot offers a transformative, mission-driven educational experience designed to introduce high school students to the foundational concepts of cybersecurity. Through the innovative use of SeaPerch or SeaGlide underwater robots, students will explore cryptography principles and gain a deep understanding of cybersecurity. This hands-on learning environment cultivates the self-sufficiency essential for success in this dynamic and rapidly evolving field.
Program Overview:
This exciting, five-day workshop runs from 9 AM to 4 PM and provides a comprehensive mix of one hour of instruction and five hours of interactive group activities each day. Students will engage in a variety of learning methods, including:
- Hands-on labs
- Problem-solving activities
- Engaging storytelling
- Programming
- Real-world applications of cryptography and cybersecurity
In addition to technical skills, Camp CryptoBot emphasizes mentorship from diverse cybersecurity professionals, creating a supportive space where students can form lasting communities with their peers. This initiative is designed to bridge the opportunity gap in STEM and inspire the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.
Camp Highlights:
- Dates: Five-day program
- Time: 9 AM to 4 PM daily
- Cost: Free, including complimentary breakfast, lunch, and snacks
- Location: 861 Bedford Road, Pleasantville New York
Eligibility Criteria:
- Students entering 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in September are eligible to apply.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
- No prior programming experience is necessary.
- A short (400 words or less) essay explaining the applicant's interest in cybersecurity and the camp is required for application.
Daily Schedule
| Time | Program Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Registration and Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Cyber Applied Skills Training Activities (CAST) |
| 10:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m. | Morning Break |
| 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Cooperative Learning Action Games (CLAG) |
| 12:00 p.m.–12:45 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:45 p.m.–2:15 p.m. | CryptoBot Missions (Hands-on-lab) |
| 2:15 p.m.–2:30 p.m. | Afternoon Break |
| 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. | SeaPerch and SeaGlide Pool Activities |
| 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Class Discussion, Reflection, and Round Table Mission Write-Ups |
Classes
Our curriculum is structured around three key components:
- Crypto Applied Skills Training (CAST): This morning session focuses on teaching students the foundational skills needed to complete various missions. Students will dive into essential cybersecurity concepts and tools.
- Cooperative Learning Action Games (CLAG): Through interactive games, students will learn key cybersecurity principles while building teamwork and problem-solving skills. These engaging activities promote critical thinking and collaborative learning.
- CryptoBot Mission (Hands-On Lab): In the afternoon, students will apply their learning from CAST and CLAG to solve problems using C++ programming. They will program Arduinos embedded in SeaGlide robotics and work on real-world cybersecurity challenges.
Classes will be taught by instructors with expertise in cybersecurity, C++, Arduinos, and SeaPerch & SeaGlide robotics.
Key Topics Include:
- Problem Solving with Cryptography
- Programming Concepts and Constructs
- Domain Separation
- Ciphers (e.g., Pig Pen, Caesar, Vigenère)
- Simplicity of Design & Information Hiding
- Abstraction and Layering
- Cybersecurity First Principles Treasure Hunt