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 Wayne County, NC

Wayne County is one of 100 counties in North Carolina. Game Design Summer Camp works the same way here as anywhere: give a child a problem too hard to guess at, then refuse to hand them the answer.

Ages 8-14 · For families · North Carolina · South

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

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

Wayne County, NC — what applies locally

Wayne County is one of 100 counties in North Carolina.
Every public school district inside Wayne County is eligible for the district licensing terms.
State: North Carolina · Region: South

Questions we get from Wayne County, NC

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 Wayne 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 North Carolina

Alamance County, NCCounty Alexander County, NCCounty Alleghany County, NCCounty Anson County, NCCounty Ashe County, NCCounty Avery County, NCCounty Beaufort County, NCCounty Bertie County, NCCounty

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