These summer camps include a mouse

What: Giant Campus, based in Seattle

Who: Pete Findley, CEO and founder

Employees: 100; 60 in Seattle

Why: Findlay defines the company's mission as "technology empowerment training."

What that means: Tech skills, Findlay said, are as important as learning how to read or write. "Anyone who doesn't have these skills is at a distinct disadvantage," he said. "They need to learn how to think in a manner compatible with technology. They need to learn how to communicate using technology. Project management and collaboration skills are also essential."

Everybody in the pool: The company's flagship is a network of summer computer camps (www.cybercamps.com) in 18 states. The camps offer kids a self-paced immersive programs. Accommodating ages 7 to 18 at university campuses, the camps teach everything from the basics to robotics. "These programs are more like boot camp than summer camp," Findlay said. "Kids learn as much in a week as they teach in an entire quarter at college."

Vital statistics: Findlay, 33, formed the company in 1997. For the past few years, he reports a 40 percent yearly growth leading to more than $10 million in revenue in 2006. Camps are about $700 the first week; $50 a week thereafter.

Serious play: Video-game development is the most popular camp sport. "When you ask kids what they want to be what they grow up, a lot of them say they want to make video games for a living," Findley said.

Investment strategy: Spending a few weeks at this summer camp can give kids a leg up on the school year. Findlay contends public schools fall short in teaching "ancillary" subjects, including computers.

One big difference: It's not just the subject matter that's an issue in schools. "Today's kids grew up with a mouse in their hands but the teachers did not," Findlay said.

Camp lesson: "Eliminating the fear of technology, the idea that when you press the wrong button that something will break."

— Charles Bermant