From sports clinic to taking up an instrument, ballet lessons to arts and handicrafts, there is a wide array of choices for busy bodies who will take that mandatory two-month school break.

But summer camps need not be limited to developing agility, flexibility and musicality. With the advent of digital technology, a short-term digital arts course at the highly respected First Academy of Computers Arts can be equally creative, fun and nurturing as honing one’s skills in a variety of sports games.

First Academy, located in Makati City, is a recognized pioneer in digital arts education in the country, with its courses focused on turning students into legitimate and marketable digital artists.

The center offers basic and advance digital artsit, print artist and multimedia artist certificate programs. Each program has various modules, which could be taken separately or a a package. From digital video, film, multimedia, to web animation, graphic design and illustration, First Academy is known in the industry for providing excellent training to aspiring and upcoming digital media artists. Students work with the best practitioners and equipment that the industry can offer.

In response to student clamor, First Academy wil open special summer courses this year to accomodate digital arts enthusiasts who do not have enough time to apply during the regular school year.

Marketing consultant Wilfredo Lao said First Academy’s modules could be completed in a period of six months, the school will introduce modules that could be finished within the two-and-a-half month period.

"The quality of teaching will be the same but the coverage will be concise," said Lao.

Lao said the same spirit that thrills enrollees in sports camps will surely engulf digital arts students. Students, he noted, will emerge from the immersion inspired to take on a career in digital arts, if they have not done so already.

"They could also gain practical skills for future employment or just have an incredible time with other creative students," said Lao.

And just in a regular summer class, a short-term course at the First Academy is capped with a one-of-a-kind presentation of accomplishments of students.

But unlike regular summer camps, each class is limited to a small number of students to insure excellent and hands-on learning. A small class allows for plenty of individual attention as students explore, create and immerse themselves in an environment that is more like a production studio than a classroom. The student to computer ratio is one-to-one.

Founded in 2001, First Academy initially offered basic courses in web development before moving to more interesting and challenging programs such as two-and-three-dimensional animation and digital storytelling.

The school was established by a group of businessmen and information technology professionals who are considered experts in their respective fields.

The school takes pride in producing students with impressive portfolios and who have since been employed by some of the most prestigious companies here and abroad.

First Academy offers a free three-hour workshop for interested applicants. For more information, log on to www.firstacademy.net or visit located them at the 2nd floor Saville Building, 8728 Paseo de Roxas cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati.