Do they build a real game?

Yes, playable by the end of the week, and playtested by the other campers who are ruthless.

Beginner engines and paper prototyping first. Paper catches bad design faster than code does.

Is this just playing games all week?

No. Playing is the testing step, and they have to write down what they changed and why.

Game Design Summer Camp in Lassen County, CA

Parents in Lassen County, CA book summer in February and regret it in July. Lassen County is one of 58 counties in California. What separates a week worth repeating is whether the child was ever genuinely stuck and then unstuck.

Ages 8-14 · For families · California · West

Game Design Summer Camp — Ellis Abel Learns STEM summer camp materials used in Lassen County, CA

What the week actually is

Game design is systems thinking with the boring name removed. Balance, incentive, feedback loops, difficulty curves — a child who can explain why their level is too easy is doing analysis, and they will do it for six hours without being asked.

Day by day

Paper prototype, no computer
Playtest and take the criticism
Balance passes on the numbers
Build the digital version
Showcase: strangers play it in front of you

Lassen County, CA — what applies locally

Lassen County is one of 58 counties in California.
Every public school district inside Lassen County is eligible for the district licensing terms.
State: California · Region: West

Questions we get from Lassen County, CA

Do they build a real game?: Yes, playable by the end of the week, and playtested by the other campers who are ruthless.
What tools?: Beginner engines and paper prototyping first. Paper catches bad design faster than code does.
Is this just playing games all week?: No. Playing is the testing step, and they have to write down what they changed and why.

Other camp themes in Lassen County

STEM Summer CampAges 5-14 Robotics CampAges 8-14 Coding CampAges 7-14 Engineering CampAges 7-14 Science CampAges 5-14 Math CampAges 5-14 Space CampAges 7-14 Drone CampAges 9-14 AI CampAges 10-14 Electronics CampAges 8-14 Chemistry CampAges 9-14 Nature Science CampAges 5-13 3D Printing CampAges 9-14 Minecraft STEM CampAges 7-12 Girls STEM CampAges 7-14 Neurodivergent STEM CampAges 6-14 Preschool STEM CampAges 3-5 Elementary STEM CampAges 5-10 Middle School STEM CampAges 11-14 High School STEM CampAges 14-18 Half-Day STEM CampAges 5-12 Week-Long STEM CampAges 6-14 Affordable STEM CampAges 5-14 Virtual STEM CampAges 7-14 Curriculum LicensingAges K-8 Church Youth STEMAges 5-14 After-School LicensingAges 5-14 District Summer STEMAges K-8 Parks & Rec STEM CampAges 5-13 Homeschool Co-op STEMAges 5-14 YMCA STEM CurriculumAges 5-14 Daycare Summer STEMAges 3-6 Start a STEM CampAges K-8

Game Design Camp elsewhere in California

Alameda County, CACounty Alpine County, CACounty Amador County, CACounty Butte County, CACounty Calaveras County, CACounty Colusa County, CACounty Contra Costa County, CACounty Del Norte County, CACounty

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