Muskingum News

This summer, Shaffstall returned to a familiar role—helping young students discover what they can accomplish through technology—as co-instructor of the first Muskingum County TECH CORPS Techie Camp, held July 27-31 in New Concord. 

The week-long Tech Quest program brought hands-on computer science education to students in grades 6-8, introducing them to coding, testing, engineering, and problem-solving through a series of interactive challenges. Using micro:bits and sensors, campers programmed devices, worked through missions inspired by locations around the world, and earned digital skill badges while developing their confidence and creativity. 

For Shaffstall, the camp was a continuation of work he began at Muskingum nearly two decades ago. 

“I ran summer camps while I was working at Muskingum University, starting way back in 2009,” he said. “Our region had very few opportunities for kids to experience computer science, and I tried to fill part of that need through the summer camps. When I retired from teaching, it seemed a natural fit to focus on the summer camp experience full-time.” 

Today, Shaffstall serves as a senior designer with TECH CORPS, a nonprofit organization that provides career-connected technology programs for K-12 students and educators. His longstanding relationship with Muskingum helped bring the organization’s programming to New Concord while allowing him to continue building on the summer camp experiences he had already established. 

“My relationship with Muskingum University allowed me to continue to use the facilities to hold the camp, which provided great continuity for the students returning from past years’ camps,” Shaffstall said. “Working with TECH CORPS has allowed me to use their quality curriculum for students in our region.” 

While coding and technology are at the center of Tech Quest, Shaffstall believes some of the most important lessons extend well beyond computer science. 

“The most important thing they learn through the week is problem solving,” he said. “Being able to tackle a complex problem by breaking it down into manageable steps is something that will serve them well no matter what they end up doing.” 

One challenge asks teams to design their own vault to securely protect data—or whatever else students decide it should safeguard. The project requires campers to think about everything from security to risk management while working collaboratively on a solution. 

“Seeing their creativity as they deal with the issues of security and risk management is a ton of fun,” Shaffstall said, “and shows how they work together to design something.” 

That willingness to experiment is one of the reasons he particularly enjoys working with middle school students. 

“They’re eager to learn and haven’t decided they aren’t good at technology yet,” he said. “They’re often fearless in trying things and willing to jump in with both feet.” 

Providing those early opportunities can be especially important in rural and Appalachian communities, where Shaffstall says some students have limited access to computing devices at home or technology education in their schools. Tech Quest gives those students an opportunity to discover interests and abilities they might otherwise never encounter. 

Shaffstall has seen the long-term impact firsthand. Some students returned to his Muskingum summer camps year after year—and later arrived on campus as Muskingum students majoring in computer science. 

Making this year’s camp possible required a broader community partnership. The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio supported the Techie Camp, while supplies were funded through the Adams Family Foundation of Muskingum alumni Greg Adams ’81 and Eileen Adams ’80. Greg Adams also serves on the Muskingum University Board of Trustees. 

“The camp wouldn’t have happened without their generous support,” Shaffstall said. “The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio has a strong commitment to helping close the opportunity gap for students in our region, and the Adams Family Foundation is a great example of alumni paying it forward for the next generation of students.” 

Shaffstall hopes the Muskingum County camp is only the beginning. He sees technology education not simply as an academic opportunity, but as one way to help young people build successful careers while remaining connected to the communities where they grew up. 

“Technology fields are a great opportunity for students in the region to get into careers that pay well and often work remotely, keeping talent in our region,” he said. “I’d love to see support for these sorts of programs grow in the region, reaching more students.” 

For Shaffstall, that vision creates a natural intersection among Muskingum, its alumni, community partners, and a new generation of young people discovering what technology—and their own abilities—can make possible.