Melaleuca’s eighth annual technology camp brought hands-on instruction in artificial intelligence and software development to high school students across Idaho this summer, demonstrating how rapidly evolving digital tools are reshaping what young programmers can accomplish in a single week.
The company, one of North America’s largest e-commerce operations, hosted its 2026 AI + IT Tech Camp at its Global Headquarters in Idaho Falls, where students spent a week diving into foundational coding concepts and practical applications powered by AI-assisted development. The immersive program provided 10 hours of structured classroom instruction and development time, allowing participants to move from theory to completed projects.
From Concept to Completion in Days
The speed at which students built functional applications highlighted how accessible modern development tools have become. One student, Jared Fife, created a multiplayer video game supporting up to eight simultaneous players—a feat that previously would have required months of work but took just 15 minutes with current AI-assisted tools and frameworks. The game featured a shareable room code system, allowing players to easily connect and play together.
Another participant, Tennison Noyes, developed the Idaho Fishing Guide application, a location-based tool designed to help anglers prepare for trips by analyzing weather conditions and recommending target species based on where they planned to fish. The application showcased how students could build practical tools addressing real-world needs in their communities.
Nathan Birch, a software engineer and former computer information technology professor at Brigham Young University-Idaho, led instruction for the camp. Birch taught students foundational coding before advancing to AI-assisted development methods. During the program, he demonstrated the technology’s potential by building an application to solve an everyday family problem: optimizing seating arrangements at his dinner table. The application used AI to analyze uploaded photos of his table layout, vehicle configuration, and seven family members, then generated the most efficient seating configuration.
Changing What’s Possible for Young Developers
Birch’s observation about the camp’s participants underscored a fundamental shift in technology education. “The level of ambition is higher than I have ever seen,” Birch told East Idaho News. “It is not necessarily because these students are more brilliant than previous groups. The tools are simply making these ideas much more achievable.”
That accessibility reflects broader trends in the technology industry. Todd Sorenson, Melaleuca’s Chief Information Officer, emphasized the company’s commitment to preparing the next generation for a rapidly changing digital landscape. “Technology is evolving rapidly, both in how accessible it is and how it’s being applied,” Sorenson said, according to East Idaho News. “It’s important that we continue creating opportunities for Idaho’s students to keep pace through hands-on experience and practical knowledge.”
Melaleuca’s investment in youth technology education serves multiple purposes. For students, the camp provides direct exposure to professional-grade tools and mentorship from experienced engineers. For the company, it helps identify and nurture talent while strengthening its ties to the local community. The program also addresses a broader regional need: preparing Idaho students for careers in technology and software development at a time when such skills command premium compensation and are increasingly essential across industries.
What Comes Next
As the eighth iteration of the program concludes, Melaleuca shows no signs of slowing its commitment to technology education. The camp’s success—measured both by completed student projects and feedback from instructors like Birch—suggests demand will continue. For Idaho high school students interested in coding, artificial intelligence, and software development, the annual camp represents a rare opportunity to learn from industry professionals while building portfolio-worthy applications.
The broader takeaway extends beyond Melaleuca’s Idaho Falls headquarters: the rapid evolution of development tools means today’s students can accomplish in days what required months of work just years ago. Whether that acceleration translates into more young Idahoans pursuing technology careers—and whether local companies can retain that talent—remains a question for the coming years as the state competes nationally for skilled technology workers.
For more on education innovation in the region, see Rigby High School Educator Wins Idaho’s Top History Teaching Honor, Eyes National Title.