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Video Game Design Camp
Scroll down below descriptions for locations and registration!
Video Game Design Camp Descriptions:
Active Learning Services' video game design camps feature to teach kids. The programs use our custom-designed curriculum, and children have a blast as they learn to program a video game using step-by-step instructions while learning a bit about the history of game design, design concepts, game styles, and more! There are no prerequisites. Most programs are half-day and last one week and a camper can select two to make a full day.
Video Game Design 3D Concepts
Children with prior experience with GameMaker software or are at least 9 years old will learn the principles used in making 3D-style games while creating their own home-based defense games.
Lessons include the principles of perspective, scale, infinity, and other concepts. Students are challenged while allowing them to creatively apply their GameMaker skills and learn how game designers make the 2D computer screen come to life with 3D effects. This is a half-day program. Students can add an additional program to make it a full-day camp.
Video Game Design - Arcade Style
Ages 8 - 14, Introductory to Intermediate
The Arcade course is a program where the game that is created has action for each level all on one screen, similar to Centipede, Asteroids, or Pac-Man. The main character (which the children create) can be anything. Other characters (enemies) pursue the main character from off the screen or move about the screen.
The character dodges the attacks of the enemies while scoring points for picking up objects and destroying the enemy objects. Options are endless, and children create level after level for a full week of fun. This is a half-day program. Students can add an additional program to make it a full-day camp.
Video Game Design - Arcade Style
Ages 8 - 14, Introductory to Intermediate
In this camp, children build a game described as a "platform" game like Sonic or Mario. Children have a blast as their characters do the impossible, overcome obstacles and enemies, and then conquer the Big Boss.
The character progresses on a long path (like a journey) with the background scrolling behind it, and adversaries, prizes, and obstacles are encountered as it goes. Lessons on the basics will be similar to the Arcade course in the very beginning, but the class diverges, and different programming techniques are taught in order to build this Platform game. This is a half-day program. Students can add an additional program to make it a full-day camp.
Kodu Video Game Design Go Kart Style
Ages 8 - 14, Introductory to Intermediate
Children will create something similar to a Mario Go-Kart-style game. What fun! Campers begin by designing their own world. Worlds can have mountains, valleys, lakes, hills, etc., or they can be a design unlike anything you have ever seen before.
It's totally up to them! Next, they place characters into the world and program them to move about, interact with other characters, and even talk using scripts written for the characters. They can program characters to pick up objects, engage opponents, and overcome villains. Children will use their creativity as they build a world full of racing tasks.
Whether it is collecting enough diamonds before time expires, navigating through the challenging obstacle course, or racing against a friend, they are sure to have fun! This is a half-day program. Students can add an additional program to make it a full-day camp.
Kodu Video Game Design Adventure Style
Ages 8 - 14, Introductory to Intermediate
Children will have the option of creating a video game on a Microsoft computer or learning how to program using a Microsoft Xbox controller! Students will create their own cool custom world and navigate through it.
Within this world, they will create tasks that need to be completed in order to progress to the next level. Some of those tasks include escaping a maze created by the student, a survival mode, outwitting rivals, creating decoys, and collecting bonus items! This is a half-day camp.
Xbox controller is optional and supplied by the student. Students can add an additional program to make it a full-day camp.
Scratch - Animation
Ages 8 - 14, Introductory to Intermediate
Students are introduced to programming by creating short story animated movies with a focus on fun. Campers will create animated stories using the Scratch animated programming tool, which allows them to program interactions between characters. They will use a gallery of characters, scenery, and custom animations that are designed to help develop their story.
The students will learn basic programming skills and have the opportunity to broaden their imagination. This is a half-day program. Students can add an additional program to make it a full-day camp.
Typical Day: Video Game Design Programs:
All Video Game coding camps begin with an introduction to the software. The differences in the various programs lie in the type of game that the children create. The lessons are a step-by-step walkthrough as the campers create their unique game.
Active Learning Video Game Design campers learn to add rooms, build walls, add backgrounds, warp to new levels, and introduce music, sound effects, and many other great techniques. Within each camp day, campers learn the background of game design, concepts of design, the history of game design, and much more.
The first few days focus on programming basics, and by late week, the children are well on their way to creating their own games. At the end of each Active Learning Gamebuilder Video Game Design camp, the camper is provided information on how to download software, the custom walkthrough guide, the resource folder, and the games they created so they can continue to play and create at home.
Graduation Day:
The final day of camp is Graduation Day. Parents have the opportunity to observe a lesson or your child's computer program creation. Each camper is then called forward to receive a trophy and a certificate of achievement. Computer enrichment campers will receive information on how to download their games and software from our website.
Instructors
Our computer enrichment staff is specifically trained to teach the software and curriculum. We feel so strongly about our instructors' abilities that we fly them to each of our camps from their home cities. Our selection process for instructors is highly competitive. In addition to in-person meetings, interviews, and classroom observation, we conduct thorough background checks to ensure that only the best instructors are part of our team. Teaching children is their passion, and their enthusiasm is infectious.