In March 1982, Atari announced the Atari Computer Camps to start in the summer of 1982. The camps were a combination of practical state of the art computer instruction, hands-on experience, and a full program of sports and social activities. They were the first effort by a home computer manufacturer to sponsor summer camps for 10- to 18-year-olds interested in computers. Atari partnered with Specialty Camps Corporation, created to run the day-to-day operations of the “summer camp” side. Specialty Camps Corporation and Atari then established the subsidiary, Atari Special Projects, Inc. Linda Gordon was Atari Vice President of Special Projects. Robert (Bob) Kahn was the Director of Special Projects. Kahn was also the Curriculum Director.

The computer camps were originally planned to be held in four locations around the United States; Pennsylvania (East Stroudsburg State College), North Carolina (Asheville School), Wisconsin (Lakeland College), and Southern California (University of San Diego). Ultimately, the camp in Wisconsin was cancelled.

The Atari Computer Camps were so successful the first year that in 1983 Atari expanded to seven locations, adding New England, “Old West” [Danville, CA], and Chesapeake, MD. Campers could choose from two-, four-, or eight-week sessions. The Atari Computer Camps ran until 1984, around the time when the video game industry was declining.

In 1982, Atari contracted with Robert Elfstrom Productions, Inc. [Bob Elfstrom and Lucy Hilmer] to create a promotional film documentary titled, The Magic Room.The Magic Room was filmed at the University of California, San Diego campus. The film captured the campers, teachers, and their experiences. Three versions of the film were created: a 3-minute version, an 18-minute version, and a 26-minute version. The 18-minute film is not a shortened version of the 26-minute runtime, it is a different edit. The film was released in 1983.