Connected Camps
Overview
As a designer and counselor at Connected Camps, I helped shape programs that used online play spaces like Minecraft to support kids emotionally, socially, and creatively. I worked closely with grieving children, co-led virtual play sessions, and supported the design of inclusive digital environments that centered compassion, curiosity, and community.
Objective
To create meaningful digital experiences that help kids feel safe, seen, and supported, particularly those processing grief, while using design and mentorship to nurture emotional growth and positive online behavior.
Getting Started
I joined Connected Camps with the dual role of counselor and creative contributor. From day one, I was immersed in a team committed to using games as tools for healing and growth. My responsibilities ranged from guiding kids through gameplay and managing online spaces to contributing ideas for program design and user experience.
CONNECT + UNDERSTAND
Camper check-ins
Grief observations
Team collaboration
DESIGN + SUPPORT
Safe space features
Co-design sessions
Emotional prompts
ENGAGE + REFLECT
Creative facilitation
Pilot testing
Live moderation
Spotlight Project: ExperienceCraft Setting the Foundation
ExperienceCraft is a safe Minecraft world for kids who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or caregiver. In collaboration with Experience Camps and supported by the New York Life Foundation, I helped moderate this space and design activities that allowed children to express their grief through creativity and play.
My Role Included:
Moderating the server to ensure safety and comfort for all players
Helping kids build memorials and expressive spaces in-game
Supporting moments of reflection, conflict resolution, and emotional de-escalation
Collaborating with designers to refine the tone and visual structure of the world
Research
In addition to my work in Minecraft, I participated in a research initiative led by co-founder Katie Salen through UC Irvine: Developing Character in Youth through Micro-Interventions in Online Spaces. I contributed to:
Co-design sessions focused on cultivating traits like empathy, curiosity, and humility
Testing in-game micro-interventions on the Kid Club and Outschool platforms
Interviews sharing frontline experiences to inform future program direction
Problem Statement
Grieving kids need safe, accessible spaces to express emotions and connect with others. Traditional support often falls short, Connected Camps sought to meet this need through play-based, moderated digital environments.
Impact
Through ExperienceCraft and character-based co-design, I helped create digital experiences that were not only fun and engaging but also deeply supportive. I saw firsthand how guided play can be a form of healing, and how design and mentorship intersect to support emotional resilience in young players.
Reflection
This role taught me the power of empathetic design and the importance of moderation, accessibility, and emotional intelligence in digital spaces. Whether guiding a build or helping a camper share a memory, I learned to approach every interaction with care and creativity.
