📎Preparing for camp
Preparing to run the KC7 Cybersecurity Camp doesn't require deep technical expertise, but it does require thoughtful, early planning. Ideally, your preparation should begin about 2 months in advance, especially if you're working with physical artifacts and planning to deliver a multi-day immersive experience.
Here's a suggested pre-camp preparation checklist, organized into clear categories for first-time facilitators or returning organizers.
✅ Camp Preparation Checklist
🗂️ 1. Understand the Camp Flow
Start this step at least 6–8 weeks before camp.
Review the 5-day schedule (or your adapted version)
Skim through each day’s activities to understand the big idea for that day
Play the KC7 modules yourself: Karate Panda and JoJo’s Hospital
Read the facilitator commentary to see what to expect from students
Begin drafting a layout plan for physical artifacts – where and how will they be used?
Make notes on how you’ll handle game transitions and student engagement
⏳ Suggested time: Several short sessions over 1–2 weeks
👩🏫 2. Set Up Your Environment
Make sure your physical or virtual space supports learning:
Secure a room with tables, outlets, and stable Wi-Fi
Ensure access to 1 device per student (laptop or Chromebook recommended)
Arrange for a projector or screen if you'll do group briefings
If using physical artifacts (for mystery games), plan your room layout:
What goes on the walls?
What props or evidence need to be moved or hidden?
Who will act as NPCs or interact with students?
🧰 Optional but helpful: name tents, whiteboard, printed roles, lanyards
👥 3. Recruit & Prep Your Team
You don’t need to do it alone—build a camp team:
At least 2 adult facilitators or teacher-level leaders
Optional: teen counselors (ideal if they’ve played KC7 before!)
Share expectations with your team:
What the daily flow looks like
How to support students without “giving away” the answers
How to run a group debrief or support role-based teams
📋 Prep resources: daily debrief templates, game walkthroughs, KQL cheat sheet
🧪 4. Test Tech & Game Access
Before Day 1:
Request a KC7 tenant at https://kc7cyber.com/gameon
Let us know that you are planning on using this for camp so we can configure the correct games for you
Make sure devices can run the browser-based games (no installs needed)
Bookmark key materials: student guide, KQL examples, investigation questions
💡 Consider running a short pre-camp test session (15–20 min)
✏️ 5. Print or Prep Key Materials
Prepare these ahead of time:
Printed versions of the 5 Rules & 3 Tenets
Team role cards (Analyst, Investigator, Presenter)
Mystery game scripts or clue cards (if running Museum Mystery)
Daily schedule (for your reference and volunteers)
Blank student reflection sheets (optional but helpful)
Copies of game clues, maps, or posters (as applicable)
🧭 6. Plan Your Wrap-Up
Decide early how you’ll celebrate students at the end:
Certificates or digital badges
Mini “graduation” and pinning ceremony
Invite parents or community leaders
Prepare a few awards (e.g. Best Investigator, Best Communicator)
⏱️ Timeline Suggestion
8 weeks out
Begin reviewing schedule and modules, understand flow
6 weeks out
Draft physical layout and artifact plan
4 weeks out
Confirm space, request tenant, recruit team
2–3 weeks out
Finalize layout, begin printing materials
1–2 weeks out
Test devices, finalize student list
3–5 days out
Print/assemble materials, assign roles, walk room
Day before
Run Day 1 with your team and do a dry run
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