ST. LOUIS • Before learning cursive, his time tables or how to read a chapter book, Tre James programmed his own video game last week.

The 7-year-old from Glen Carbon created a story line, set up collision rules for the aliens and the "bad guys," and made the background of some of his levels look like space.

"It's pretty cool because you get to smash stuff," Tre said sitting in front of a computer at Washington University during iD Tech Camp while his instructor walked him through how to make the astronaut shoot a laser when he pushed down the spacebar.

Tre was one of hundreds of youths across the nation who attended iD Tech Camp last week at 60 universities in 25 states. The technology intensive camp that is in its 12th year gives students ages 7-17 an opportunity to learn how to create 2D or 3D video games, design websites, produce digital movies, build robots or write computer codes like C++ and Java. Each class is one week long, is offered for several weeks in the summer and focuses on one specific computer skill.

Tre's instructor, Jessica Slatter, said her class of 7- to 9-year-olds at Washington U. were learning more than how to make a video game, they were learning creativity, design, plot and other life skills.

"What they're doing is really fun, but it's also really relevant to the job world." said Slatter, 20, of Webster Groves.

Nicholas Clifford, 8, of Ladue, came to the camp because he loves technology and computers. He wants to eventually be able to create applications for the iPhone.

"Without computers my life would be a ton of waste," Nicholas said while working on creating 30 levels to his video game about a royal owl who tries to get his stolen egg back.

But the camp isn't all about programming and technology.

Sure the campers will spend several hours each day in front of computers learning the intricacies of creating a game board, how to use Adobe Flash or even playing "Call of Duty" against each other.

But they also play games like capture the flag and octopus tag.

Organizers say that aside from teaching skills, the camp seeks to offer what all good summer camps provide: a chance to spend time with kids of similar interests. And at iD Tech Camp, that means it's socially safe to be all about technology.

"It's a place where geeks are at home," said Alex Shepherd, 21, an instructor at the camp.

By the end of the week, each pre-teen and teen completes a project that has do to with their class course, whether that's creating their own video game, building a robot or making their own website.

Avery Engelmeyer, 10, of Chesterfield, couldn't wait to bring her video tennis game home and play it with her two younger brothers. And Kendall Augmer, 7, said his favorite video game is now his own.

Parent Shandra Bailey-Todd, of Florissant, signed her daughter, Braydi, up for camp so she could not only socialize with kids who have her same interest, but also so the 9-year-old who wants to go into engineering could interact with instructors who are already in the field or going into it.

She is learning an expertise that she wouldn't be able to at her school, her mom said.

Sixteen-year-old Syrr Hall is attending his second class at iD Tech Camp. Last year the teen from north St. Louis County created a website where he now sells his own clothing line called Zero Space. This year he is learning how to make video games, which he hopes to do professionally in the future.

He said everyone at camp knows the same video games and TV characters and are interested in exploring technology.

Some like 9-year-old Max Fujii said they have met their best friends at the camp.

"You feel right at home," said Avery, who wants to be a computer programmer or a lawyer when she grows up and plans on returning to camp next year. "You feel like you've known everyone here for years, not just for a week."