📎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.

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✅ 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

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👩‍🏫 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

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👥 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

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🧪 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

Time Before Camp	Task
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