I'm not saying it's a clear-cut case of policy violation. But in my opinion, asking for money to go to something as normal as summer camp (by "normal" I mean very common for kids her age) -- and then using additional funds to buy something as standard as a laptop -- veers way too close to the policy I called out, even if there are ways of explaining around it.
Regardless of whether it violates policies, I'm more worried that it sends the wrong message. Call it "training" all you like, It's ultimately just a week-long class for children who want to learn RPG Maker. And don't get me wrong -- I'm a huge fan of that particular piece of software. (I taught myself to use RPG Maker 2000 back when I was 11 years old.) But let's call it what it is -- at best, an impromptu scholarship for this girl, and at worst, a hand-out.
Again, I'm hoping that the girl and her mother can use the overwhelming success of the funding to turn this into something great -- something far bigger in scope than the original proposal. But until I see that happen I'll continue to be skeptical.
Regardless of whether it violates policies, I'm more worried that it sends the wrong message. Call it "training" all you like, It's ultimately just a week-long class for children who want to learn RPG Maker. And don't get me wrong -- I'm a huge fan of that particular piece of software. (I taught myself to use RPG Maker 2000 back when I was 11 years old.) But let's call it what it is -- at best, an impromptu scholarship for this girl, and at worst, a hand-out.
Again, I'm hoping that the girl and her mother can use the overwhelming success of the funding to turn this into something great -- something far bigger in scope than the original proposal. But until I see that happen I'll continue to be skeptical.