OUR STAFF

Amber Strickland
Camp Katy Founder, Director and Instructor
There is no question that Amber is the heart and soul of Camp Katy. Amber is a proud wife and mother of 3 amazing children, and the founder and director of Camp Katy. A long time Katy resident, Amber graduated with High Honors from Katy High School in 1992, and attended the University of Houston before joining the US Navy. She served aboard the USS Monongahela (AO-178) during Operation Desert Shield before being honorably discharged as a petty officer 2nd class.

Amber returned to Katy and opened several local businesses and is currently a partner in her family business, Your Local Computer Store. A year after YLCS opened its doors in 2004, Camp Katy was born. Since then she has taught hundreds of children and adults various technology courses, including her passion for movie making. Amber has written, produced and released 17 short films with her students.

Acknowledging the need to keep up with the ever changing world of technology, Amber is also a constant student. She is currently studying to complete her certifications with Microsoft and Adobe which will allow her to begin a year round technology training center.

Amber says, “This is not just a “business” to me.  It’s a passion and an expression of my family’s reputation.  We love Katy and serving the people who live here.  I am currently part of a grass roots group made up of Katy business owners raising awareness of the importance of not only keeping your business local but Katy owned.“

When Amber is not at the head of a classroom she enjoys computer gaming, gardening, cooking, writing and creating independent movies.
Cara Chandler
Camp Administrator and Webmaster
Chances are if you have contacted Camp Katy through the website or e-mail that you have spoken with Cara. 2012 marks Cara's 3rd year as a Camp Katy administrator and our webmaster. She has also been known to pop in and teach a web design class or two!

Cara was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her interest in computers began at an early age while her uncle worked for a 'little start up company' in Cupertino, California called Apple Computer, Inc. "He always brought us the coolest new gadgets! I remember seeing a laptop (Powerbook 550c) for the first time. I kept looking from my desktop and back at the laptop thinking, 'How in the world does it get all that in there?.' I was hooked!" Cara credits her early introduction to technology with her ability to quickly learn and understand new technology today.

Cara moved to Green Bay, WI but remains a integral part of the Camp Katy team. In her free time, Cara enjoys attending Packer games, computer gaming, furthering her web developement education, amateur photography and travelling.
Karim Moti
Camp Katy @ Sylvan Learning Centers - Houston, Sugar Land, Clear Lake
Camp Katy is proud to welcome Karim Moti to our 2012 summer camp staff!

Karim is a Chemical Engineer, with a specialization in Computer Process Control. He has a strong computing, technology and education background. Karim owns 3 Sylvan learning centers in Houston and is very pleased to be able to offer computer camps at the Sylvan Learning Centers in partnership with Camp Katy.

Karim's passions include robotics and automation.
Tony Tang
Instructor
Tony Tang has been the backbone of Camp Katy for the past five summers.  Helping to develop courses and day to day camp management has been his primary function.  This summer Tony will be the lead instructor for our 3D Game Design courses. 

Tony’s family is from China but he grew up in Spain and the United States.  He attended USC at fifteen and graduated with dual major in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.  Tony was on the corporate fast track with companies such as Synopsys, Pacific Telesis, Southwestern Bell and Bank of America.  After realizing he wanted more than 100+ hours per week at a desk, Tony began traveling the world.  He is both an accomplished Flamenco singer and chef. 

Tony landed in Katy after meeting Amber while passing through town with a Flamenco dance company.  His name has since been synonymous with The Core, our PC gameroom operated throughout the school year.  Tony is a natural people person and continues to surprise us with his knowledge and experience.  He speaks Spanish, English and Cantonese Chinese fluently.  Some conversation ability with French and German.
Miguel Varela
Photography Instructor
Miguel joined the Camp Katy team in 2010 as a digital photography instructor for our after school program. When he’s not at the head of the classroom, Miguel is an independent photojournalist specializing in documentary sports photography.

Miguel honed his techniques while studying photography and visual journalism at Houston Community College and Texas School of Professional Photography at both Sam Houston University and Texas A&M University. Since graduation, Miguel has been honored as a finalist for the World Press Photo Contest in 2005 and 2010, and his work has been featured in a number of local and international publications. He has also been granted access to photograph major professional sporting event for the NFL, MLS, MLB and Gold Cup!

Miguel combines his outgoing personality, passion for photojournalism and love of sports to uniquely capture personality in his photographs. He is bilingual, speaking fluent English and Spanish.

 

More bio's coming soon!

   
 
 
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  phone: 281-397-3770
e-mail: info@campkaty.com 		 
© Camp Katy LLC. Camp Katy Computer Camp. Camp Katy Technology Camp (s). 2005-2012 All Rights Reserved.

This local Katy business was created by Katy resident & Class of '92 Katy High School graduate, Amber Foxhoven Strickland. A mother of three, she like other Katy moms struggled to find fun and engaging activities for her children during the summer. Frustrated by the level of technology being taught at school, the idea for Camp Katy was born. Beginning with just a couple of half day classes seven years ago, Amber has grown her camp to teach over 350 kids at the summer 2010 day camp session. New classes added this year, kids can learn 2D & 3D game design, computer literacy, computer keyboarding or typing, Microsoft office essentials, computer building, computer troubleshooting, computer network design, graphic arts and design, Photoshop, Photoshop elements, Light room, comic book creation, script writing, story boarding, acting, movie / film camera operation or cinematography, movie / film light setup, movie / film sound effects, movie / film sound, movie / film on location shooting, movie / film editing, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Flash 2D game design, Adobe Flash web widgets, web design with Adobe Dreamweaver, mobile apps, Apple developer, professional photography, professional photography trips, digital darkroom with Adobe Photoshop and Light room, photo journalism and so much more. Come check out the Camp Katy difference. We are a better camp for a fraction of the cost of our competitors.