Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators
Sigma Pi, MU Chapter, Cornell University, Upstate New York in 2024
DIGIVATIONS offers NASA Award Winning STEM+ARTS+HUMANITIES+KINESTHETIC education, professional development, innovation and literary overnight CAMP DEMIGOD, entrepreneurial/innovator, scientific, artistic, literary and creative writing forums and retreats, as well as community innovation programs. DIGIVATIONS has been offered for the past twelve years throughout the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia and California, culminating every summer through CAMP DEMIGOD at the 16 acre Demigod Lodge nestled in the Cascade National Forest, just seven miles from Leavenworth, WA. DIGIVATIONS CAMP DEMIGOD INSTITUTE moved from Leavenworth, WA in 2023 and relocated to upstate NY, in part because our son and co-founder Jacob Berman is a student at Cornell University, and key members of our community would prefer that we establish a presence that is more accessible in the Northeast.
Demigod Defined
Demigods are important figures in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson books, where many of the characters, including Percy Jackson himself, are demigods. In Riordan's work, a demigod is strictly defined as an individual born of one human and one divine parent. Our son named the organization when he was 9, based on Riordan's Camp Half-Blood. We are delighted that our 10th summer of Camp Half-Blood coincides with the release of Mr. Riordan's new book! It would be the first time since The Last Olympian in 2009 that we had an honest-to-goodness Percy Jackson novel.” (The Heroes of Olympus series, which initially focused upon Roman demi-god Jason Grace, expanded the cast and was told from multiple points of view.). "I knew we basically had a year to play with during Percy’s senior year in high school, where nothing had been sketched out, no canon described,” Riordan said. “All we know is he’s in school in New York. So what would happen to him? Of course, he’s getting ready for college. And I’ve been through that with my two boys, and that means recommendation letters. And to get into New Rome University, you need recommendation letters from the gods, and they don’t give those out for free. So Percy has to do quests—not to save the world this time, but just to get into college."
The name, Demigod, has also been referred to a gathering of adults who are exceptional in many ways with a common goal to collaborate. For example, Thomas Jefferson referred to the founding fathers when he wrote, "I have no doubt that all their other measures will be good and wise. It is really an assembly of demigods.” —to John Adams
The name, Demigod, has also been referred to a gathering of adults who are exceptional in many ways with a common goal to collaborate. For example, Thomas Jefferson referred to the founding fathers when he wrote, "I have no doubt that all their other measures will be good and wise. It is really an assembly of demigods.” —to John Adams
Teaching Methodology by Dr. Steven Berman
DIGIVATIONS’ mission is “Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators, Mentors and Leaders” and delivers its NASA award winning educational curriculum of STEM + ARTS + HUMANITIES + KINESTHICS to children and youth ranging in age from 6 to 22. DIGIVATIONS catalyzes imaginations, empowering and inspiring children and youth through all forms of teaching methodologies, aurally, kinesthetically visually,including through dynamic immersive lessons captivating the minds, hearts and souls of learners (DIGIVATORS).
DIGIVATORS are unbound from the shackles of traditional learning, especially vertical silos, through relevant art, literary, humanities and scientific concepts and materials and themes enabling them to World Build. DIGIVATORS are transported to enriching worlds by acquiring tools connecting their life experiences, ideas and thoughts about the DIGIVATIONS interdisciplinary materials they are learning. The beauty of the world’s they create is that they fluidly utilize and integrate scientific principles, which they embrace with joy, into imaginative literary works including short stories and plays, as well as theatrical works, and skits as well as soundscapes.
Perhaps the most beautiful ingredient underlying all DIGIVATIONS World of Academies, Institutes and Programs is "there is no wrong answer.” Children and Youth recognize that their thinking and voices matter enabling them to utilize positive mindsets, to overcome pre-existing fears of and roadblocks to learning. DIGIVATORS are empowered when they realize that other students enjoy learning about their interests enabling them to collaborate together in creative and unique ways. DIGIVATIONS connects students through one of Einstein’s primary principles that “imagination” is the key to learning and success, and that knowledge becomes meaningful when it is applied creatively and innovatively.
All of these ingredients has enabled DIGIVATIONS to teach more than 5,000 students and 2,000 educators elevating their artistic, humanistic and scientific literacy while also endowing them with the tools to create their own prototypes, works, and worlds. DIGIVATIONS collaborative engagement methodology’s has enabled friendships of a lifetime that far exceed the parameters of any course or program. DIGIVATORS have partnered across cultures and time zones to make and produce innovative multidisciplinary projects. In summary, DIGIVATIONS has positively ignited the mindsets of children and youth enabling them to succeed in and out of the classroom, and many have graduated from the world’s most outstanding universities and trade schools, and are now significantly contributing to their communities.
DIGIVATORS are unbound from the shackles of traditional learning, especially vertical silos, through relevant art, literary, humanities and scientific concepts and materials and themes enabling them to World Build. DIGIVATORS are transported to enriching worlds by acquiring tools connecting their life experiences, ideas and thoughts about the DIGIVATIONS interdisciplinary materials they are learning. The beauty of the world’s they create is that they fluidly utilize and integrate scientific principles, which they embrace with joy, into imaginative literary works including short stories and plays, as well as theatrical works, and skits as well as soundscapes.
Perhaps the most beautiful ingredient underlying all DIGIVATIONS World of Academies, Institutes and Programs is "there is no wrong answer.” Children and Youth recognize that their thinking and voices matter enabling them to utilize positive mindsets, to overcome pre-existing fears of and roadblocks to learning. DIGIVATORS are empowered when they realize that other students enjoy learning about their interests enabling them to collaborate together in creative and unique ways. DIGIVATIONS connects students through one of Einstein’s primary principles that “imagination” is the key to learning and success, and that knowledge becomes meaningful when it is applied creatively and innovatively.
All of these ingredients has enabled DIGIVATIONS to teach more than 5,000 students and 2,000 educators elevating their artistic, humanistic and scientific literacy while also endowing them with the tools to create their own prototypes, works, and worlds. DIGIVATIONS collaborative engagement methodology’s has enabled friendships of a lifetime that far exceed the parameters of any course or program. DIGIVATORS have partnered across cultures and time zones to make and produce innovative multidisciplinary projects. In summary, DIGIVATIONS has positively ignited the mindsets of children and youth enabling them to succeed in and out of the classroom, and many have graduated from the world’s most outstanding universities and trade schools, and are now significantly contributing to their communities.
Alumni Spotlight
Kaleena Ipema
My name is Kaleena Ipema, and I’m a newly graduated university student in Vancouver, BC. I have had the privilege of attending Camp Demigod several times over the years, both as a camper and later as a volunteer junior counselor. Summer days at Camp Demigod were spent learning outside in the beautiful mountain landscape of Leavenworth, WA, where we had the freedom to create art, write stories, and of course, learn to sword fight. There’s nothing quite as nostalgic as the memories made at summer camp—certainly, some of my fondest are afternoons at the river, singing High School Musical songs during dish duty, and late night bunk bed chats with my cabinmates.
What makes Camp Demigod unique, however, is the close knit community forged by Dr. Anne and Dr. Steve Berman. At the end of each session, before campers return home with their parents, everyone gathers for one last circle time, except there is something special about the last one. On the last day, an exchange of affirmations are passed around for each person—what are campers going to remember about you? What is something special about you? How have you made an impact on others at Camp Demigod? These affirmations would lead to some unforgettable, self-defining moments for me. Hearing other campers and the camper directors encourage my artistic abilities, appreciate my positive attitude, and identify my caring spirit was transformational, and their words have stuck with me long after my Camp Demigod days. I truly believe that affirmations are critical reinforcements for a camper’s self-confidence and self-love, giving everyone campers the courage to go on pursuing whatever they set their minds to.
After high school, I went on to study at the University of British Columbia, where I completed the B+MM Dual Degree program. This unique program is designed to allow students to study their passion in whichever faculty they choose, after which they complete an intensive, 6-month Master’s of Management. I received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English Honours, writing my thesis on absent mother figures in Disney’s The Little Mermaid and other adaptations of classic fairy tales. Shortly after graduating with a BA, I began the difficult journey through the MM program, a rigorous academic challenge unlike anything I had faced before. I believe that it was experiences like Camp Demigod that allowed me to succeed both academically and creatively—the chance to explore my artistic talent, connect with others, and of course, participate in the affirmation circle. I’ve learned that believing in yourself and staying true to your values is an essential part of success, so that when life throws new challenges at you, you’ll have the self-confidence to stand on your own two feet and face them head-on.
Our Campers
CAMP DEMIGOD attracts like-minded students, ages 9-17 from all over the world who learn, create and collaborate with world class faculty from leading universities and industry with expertise in the arts, design, engineering, humanities, music, science, technology, and theater, film and television.
Empowering Youth & Adults
Through these programs, Dr. Steven Lee Berman and Anne Deane Berman, PhD have taught over 5,000 students and more than 300 formal and informal educators. Their 21 year old son, Jacob Berman, has also participated in significant ways including inspiring the World's First Overnight Camp Half-Blood, AKA CAMP DEMIGOD. While inspired by the writings of Rick Riordan and his brilliance in presenting Greek Mythology; J.K. Rowling's spectacular wizarding world of Harry Potter; the fantastic exploits of The Doctor or other fandoms; or as Model United Nations delegation, Camp Demigod is focused on empowering youth, teens and adults to present themselves as respectful leaders with confidence and empathetic intellect along with a creative vision. The programs and camps also incorporate a focus on the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
DIGIVATIONS CAMP DEMIGOD INSTITUTE was initially established as an affiliate of DIGIVATIONS EDUCATION VENTURES ™, launched in Vancouver, BC, Canada, motivated by Dr. Steve Berman’s prior education curriculum development commencing at UCLA as early as 1996 involving integration of STEM and Humanities into new media works and innovation economic consulting work to the BC Province about the Future of Work including underlying education and lifelong transferable skills development. Specifically, his work focused on the future of education especially relating to revolutionizing British Columbia’s Innovation Pipeline which entailed structural changes to its universities’ academic, research and resulting technology transfer focus, reimagining more productive collaboration with industry, and redesigning effectiveness of government agencies. Steve’s background as a material science engineer with deep experience in computer science analyzing the very first moon rock samples, intellectual property attorney, and technology transfer and policy senior management executive for the University of California System’s 10 campuses and three national laboratories enabled unique outcomes for tripartite collaborations among industry, government and university institutions. This led to his advocacy for new multidisciplinary educational academic content design for K-25 students ranging from establishing core foundations for the first Masters of Digital Media in Canada at Great Northern Way’s Consortium Campus (UBD, SFU, Emily Carr, BCIT), and DIGIVATIONS’ NASA award winning STEM + ARTS + HUMANITIES + KINESTHETIC curriculum delivered to more than 5,000 students and 2,000 educators with his partner and collaborator, Dr. Anne Deane Berman.
Drs. Berman collaborated in launching DIGIVATIONS inspired by their years of university teaching, including at esteemed universities such as UCLA and UCSB, and arising from a perceived need based on Dr. Steve’s initial work in the entertainment, educational television broadcast and Silicon Valley technology industries. Throughout DIGIVATIONS’ history, Steve, Anne and Jacob have followed a trajectory of organically and dynamically transforming to encompass new ideas, passions and needs of youth. Dr. Steve Berman states, “We empower youth and adults to confidently develop positive growth mindsets, and apply their multiple intelligences, respective innate reservoir of imaginations, talents, sense of discovery and new knowledge to catalyze impactful change in their communities, as well as regionally, nationally and globally. We inspire these outcomes in part through my foundational Innovation course incorporating human centered and problem-based learning projects integrating interdisciplinary Design Thinking. Moreover, this complements our integrated arts and humanities process.” Along these lines, International composer Anne Deane Berman, PhD states, “We ask students to create new art, music, theatrical and creative writing works. Over the past ten years, we have witnessed that their immersion in such multidisciplinary domains deepens their appreciation of science and the humanities, expanding their perspectives of critical global issues relating to the SDGs. Through this rigorous Creative Engagement, youth translate their enhanced feelings of connectedness to the planet into positive action as they grow into adults.”
To this end, DIGIVATIONS XGENS Model UN and 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals Institute ™ & Accelerator and Incubator, XGENS.org, was established building on the foundations of DIGIVATIONS’ global activities and focus. XGENS delegation traveled throughout the world where delegates have served in leadership roles including for Specialized and Crisis Committees, including at the UN’s Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland; UN headquarters located in New York City; Yale University, New Haven; as well as Harvard and Yale MUN conferences online. XGENS Accelerator and Incubator enables DIGIVATIONS’ global community of thousands of youth, counselors, educators and professional network of leaders in academia, government and industry to create new artistic works advancing critical social policy awareness and raising the world’s consciousness of global challenges, launching of new enterprises based on new scientific breakthroughs from university researchers across the globe, and future unicorns centered around exponential technologies including those developed by DIGIVATIONS’ students that will generate revenue to support the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets especially those focused on Enabling Equity and Inclusion; Resolving Food Insecurity Issues; Advancing Healthcare Access and Innovations Enabling a Healthier World; Propelling Positive Climate Solutions and Social Justice; Ensuring a Human Centric Future of Work Framework in an AI World, as well as Rethinking Implementation of Sustainable Environments and Infrastructure; and Democratizing Commercial Space, among other domain topics.
The essence of the INSTITUTE is that we integrate our significant academic, artistic, design thinking, engineering, technology industry and business experience into a fully interactive environment in a manner where Demigods' interests serve as a core foundation. Demigods learn about art, humanities incorporating studies of Ancient Greece, other cultures and mythologies including languages and literature, music, and science and technology domains. The innovation areas encompass Advanced Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Astro-Biology, Astro-Physics, Bioengineering, Chemistry, Commercial Space Exploration, Genetics, Intelligent Infrastructure and Transportation, Quantum Physics, and beyond. These fields are brought to life by utilizing specific literary and interactive media properties which Demigods embrace along with design thinking methodologies.
The common thread of these properties attracts like minded students/campers from throughout the world and ignites their genius and talent inspiring them to collaborate on creating artistic and innovative works ranging from short stories, skits, multi-media works, music and plays; innovations, as well as prototypes.
To facilitate these accomplishments, world class faculty and experts join us and contribute their domain experience and knowledge, along with their expertise in teaching and training children and youth, to these programs and camps. Everyone is the beneficiary of the organization’s devotion to inspiring every student/camper to pursue and realize their dreams and hopes.
DIGIVATIONS CAMP DEMIGOD INSTITUTE was initially established as an affiliate of DIGIVATIONS EDUCATION VENTURES ™, launched in Vancouver, BC, Canada, motivated by Dr. Steve Berman’s prior education curriculum development commencing at UCLA as early as 1996 involving integration of STEM and Humanities into new media works and innovation economic consulting work to the BC Province about the Future of Work including underlying education and lifelong transferable skills development. Specifically, his work focused on the future of education especially relating to revolutionizing British Columbia’s Innovation Pipeline which entailed structural changes to its universities’ academic, research and resulting technology transfer focus, reimagining more productive collaboration with industry, and redesigning effectiveness of government agencies. Steve’s background as a material science engineer with deep experience in computer science analyzing the very first moon rock samples, intellectual property attorney, and technology transfer and policy senior management executive for the University of California System’s 10 campuses and three national laboratories enabled unique outcomes for tripartite collaborations among industry, government and university institutions. This led to his advocacy for new multidisciplinary educational academic content design for K-25 students ranging from establishing core foundations for the first Masters of Digital Media in Canada at Great Northern Way’s Consortium Campus (UBD, SFU, Emily Carr, BCIT), and DIGIVATIONS’ NASA award winning STEM + ARTS + HUMANITIES + KINESTHETIC curriculum delivered to more than 5,000 students and 2,000 educators with his partner and collaborator, Dr. Anne Deane Berman.
Drs. Berman collaborated in launching DIGIVATIONS inspired by their years of university teaching, including at esteemed universities such as UCLA and UCSB, and arising from a perceived need based on Dr. Steve’s initial work in the entertainment, educational television broadcast and Silicon Valley technology industries. Throughout DIGIVATIONS’ history, Steve, Anne and Jacob have followed a trajectory of organically and dynamically transforming to encompass new ideas, passions and needs of youth. Dr. Steve Berman states, “We empower youth and adults to confidently develop positive growth mindsets, and apply their multiple intelligences, respective innate reservoir of imaginations, talents, sense of discovery and new knowledge to catalyze impactful change in their communities, as well as regionally, nationally and globally. We inspire these outcomes in part through my foundational Innovation course incorporating human centered and problem-based learning projects integrating interdisciplinary Design Thinking. Moreover, this complements our integrated arts and humanities process.” Along these lines, International composer Anne Deane Berman, PhD states, “We ask students to create new art, music, theatrical and creative writing works. Over the past ten years, we have witnessed that their immersion in such multidisciplinary domains deepens their appreciation of science and the humanities, expanding their perspectives of critical global issues relating to the SDGs. Through this rigorous Creative Engagement, youth translate their enhanced feelings of connectedness to the planet into positive action as they grow into adults.”
To this end, DIGIVATIONS XGENS Model UN and 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals Institute ™ & Accelerator and Incubator, XGENS.org, was established building on the foundations of DIGIVATIONS’ global activities and focus. XGENS delegation traveled throughout the world where delegates have served in leadership roles including for Specialized and Crisis Committees, including at the UN’s Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland; UN headquarters located in New York City; Yale University, New Haven; as well as Harvard and Yale MUN conferences online. XGENS Accelerator and Incubator enables DIGIVATIONS’ global community of thousands of youth, counselors, educators and professional network of leaders in academia, government and industry to create new artistic works advancing critical social policy awareness and raising the world’s consciousness of global challenges, launching of new enterprises based on new scientific breakthroughs from university researchers across the globe, and future unicorns centered around exponential technologies including those developed by DIGIVATIONS’ students that will generate revenue to support the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets especially those focused on Enabling Equity and Inclusion; Resolving Food Insecurity Issues; Advancing Healthcare Access and Innovations Enabling a Healthier World; Propelling Positive Climate Solutions and Social Justice; Ensuring a Human Centric Future of Work Framework in an AI World, as well as Rethinking Implementation of Sustainable Environments and Infrastructure; and Democratizing Commercial Space, among other domain topics.
The essence of the INSTITUTE is that we integrate our significant academic, artistic, design thinking, engineering, technology industry and business experience into a fully interactive environment in a manner where Demigods' interests serve as a core foundation. Demigods learn about art, humanities incorporating studies of Ancient Greece, other cultures and mythologies including languages and literature, music, and science and technology domains. The innovation areas encompass Advanced Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Astro-Biology, Astro-Physics, Bioengineering, Chemistry, Commercial Space Exploration, Genetics, Intelligent Infrastructure and Transportation, Quantum Physics, and beyond. These fields are brought to life by utilizing specific literary and interactive media properties which Demigods embrace along with design thinking methodologies.
The common thread of these properties attracts like minded students/campers from throughout the world and ignites their genius and talent inspiring them to collaborate on creating artistic and innovative works ranging from short stories, skits, multi-media works, music and plays; innovations, as well as prototypes.
To facilitate these accomplishments, world class faculty and experts join us and contribute their domain experience and knowledge, along with their expertise in teaching and training children and youth, to these programs and camps. Everyone is the beneficiary of the organization’s devotion to inspiring every student/camper to pursue and realize their dreams and hopes.
Senior Faculty & Wisdom Coaches
DIGIVATIONS INSTITUTE's world-class Directors, Advisors and Faculty each have between 20-30 years of distinguished service and subject matter expertise in their respective fields: creative writing, design thinking, film, humanities (ancient civilizations, anthropology, ethnographics, mythology, languages, among others), innovation, martial arts, music, STEM, and theatre/theatrical combat. Wisdom Coaches work alongside youth and millennial to provide our campers with ideally some of their life's most enjoyable and enriching experiences. The wisdom and hands-on knowledge which is imparted by our team underscores the invaluable knowledge which older people continue to contribute to all of us.
Young Scholars
The XGENS Young Scholars are immersed in contributing to designing and delivering processes and projects which directly correlate to positively impacting our mission of inspiring the next generation of innovators. Young Scholars participate in reshaping the organizations' NASA Award Winning curriculum to ensure its relevancy and fluidity resulting in ever more inspiring STEM+ARTS+HUMANITIES+KINESTHETIC programs. Key to their success, Young Scholars are excellent role models for campers. During the academic year, they study aeronautical engineering, archeology, architecture, biology, computer science, creative writing, film-making, fine arts, psychology among others, and enjoy basketball, martial arts, sword fighting, soccer, volleyball, and wrestling. Some are content experts in fan fiction, especially Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, the Hobbit and Dr. Who, among others. Most have a love for theatrical combat and traditional sports.
XGENS Academy & Model UN Delegation
DIGIVATIONS XGENS Model UN Delegation is a non-profit North American affiliate of NASA award winning DIGIVATIONS’ family of K-25 educational entities. XGENS.org offers global, multidisciplinary career, professional development and leadership programs in fields encompassing the creative arts, cultural heritage, diplomacy, technology policy and scientific exploration. Leavenworth, WA: XGENS.ORG applies its NASA Award Winning STEM+ARTS+HUMANITIES+KINESTHETIC curriculum in the context of global citizenry centered on Climate Action, Adaptation and Water Rights, topics central to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. International high school, college students and professionals engage in XGENS' Model UN Academies and Professional Development as part of the XGENS Delegation.
Meet Westley & Maple, Leonbergers
These Leonbergers are trained as Service Animals. Campers find them to be loving companions. They are especially helpful on quests into town and on hikes on the property.
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NASA Award Winning STEM+ARTS+MOVEMENT Curriculum
INSPIRING NEXT GENERATION INNOVATORS TO POSITIVELY TRANSFORM THE WORLD
THROUGH EDUCATION, MENTORSHIP & LEADERSHIP
THROUGH EDUCATION, MENTORSHIP & LEADERSHIP
