Video Game Design & Development Courses Summer Computer Camp Courses
Adventures in Game Design
Adventures in Game Design
Ages 7-10
Min Age: Must turn 7 by 12-31-13
WEEKLONG | CO-ED | DAY CAMP | SLEEPAWAY CAMPS | BEGINNER – ADVANCED
Introduction to the World’s #1 Tech Camp
We’re a family company, consistently ranked a Top Workplace* by our tech-savvy, adult-only staff. One of our big secrets? Ridiculously small ratios. Small ratios mean customized instruction—just 8 students per instructor or fewer—guaranteed!
About This Course/ Featured Software
Don’t just play games! Make them! Create your own video game in this fun, stimulating video game camp for kids. We introduce students to the awesome world of video game creation in a non-competitive, step-by-step process. This kids summer camp will teach the basic principles behind making arcade and platform games – the fun ones you’d find at your local arcade. Design your own arcade and platform games using the drag and drop ease of Clickteam® Multimedia Fusion 2 Developer® and industry-standard Adobe® Photoshop®.
Advanced students will add sound and music to enhance gameplay, as well as build more complex game rules for sophisticated games. In this unique video game camp for kids, we supply the dragons, ninjas, backgrounds, power-ups, and other objects in order for you to make your own 2D game. After learning how to make a game, students will take home a copy of their final project to play at home. This junior kids camp also includes new Techtivities where students will have the opportunity for additional summer fun.
Is this game design course right for you? Click here to see “Top 10 Skills” and our recommendations (including multi-week packages).
Want to read about success stories at iD Tech Camps? Check out our do something BIG stories, featuring real students, just like you! Learn about iD alumni who are using what they’ve learned at camp to do amazing things – like founding their own independent gaming studios!
Other Related Programs
iD Tech Camps – All Video Game Camps
iD Gaming Academy – 2-Week Pre-College Intensive Teen Academy
View All Courses & ProgramsGaming Tournaments and Activity Time
Students receive approximately 5 hours a day of computer instruction, so there is still plenty of time for well-balanced activities like:
- LAN Gaming Tournaments (With BIG titles from Valve®, Ubisoft®, and others using NVIDIA® GeForce® gaming cards.)
- General Gameplay
- Sports, Chess, Games
- Campus Tours
- Teambuilding Activities
- Staying the Weekend? Check out our Ultimate Gaming Weekend.
Note 1: Gaming does NOT infringe on instructional time.
Note 2: Games with ESRB Ratings of E, T and M are used at our camps. We take our corporate responsibility and iD family values very seriously, but cannot guarantee that younger students will avoid complete contact with these games. Please know that we make every effort to minimize exposure to any games not appropriate for these age groups.*iD Tech Camps has been ranked in the Top 10 three years in a row by the prestigious “Top Workplaces” survey of the Bay Area News Group, publisher of the San Jose Mercury News.
Is This Game Design Course for You?
Skill Levels
This course has no prerequisites, other than a love for video games! The curriculum is customized for beginner to advanced learners ages 7-10 (Min Age: Must turn 7 by 12-31-13). Curriculum is delivered in small student clusters and individually tailored to each student at this video game camp.
Top 10 Skills Gained
Conceptual Skills Development
- Introduction to video game development
- 2D animation
- Character creation
- Introduction to programming concepts
- Sound and music enhancement
Software & Hardware Skills Development
- Clickteam® Multimedia Fusion 2 Developer®
- Adobe® Photoshop®
Soft Skills Development
- Storyboard creation
- Creativity
- Problem-solving
Our Recommendations
This summer camp for children is perfect for active and imaginative younger students wanting to explore game-making. The fun drag and drop interface of the Adventures in Game Design course makes it easy for students to catch on quickly, and the curriculum is a good choice if you’re considering video game design schools. These fun kids summer camps are a great choice for students just beginning to discover the power of technology, and can be repeated over several weeks to build up skills.
All Pre-Teen Courses, Ages 7-12
The Video Game Designer The App Programmer NOTE: Some courses have age, location, and skill restrictions. Click specific course for details. Can't decide which courses to take? Consult our course grid or phone us at 1-888-709-TECH (8324).
Don't see the course you want? See All Courses...- Adventures in Game Design (Ages 7-10)
- Game Design & Graphic Arts Hybrid (Ages 8-12)
- 3D Game Design - Racing Games (Ages 8-12)
- Role-Playing Game Design with RPG Maker® (Ages 9-12)
- 3D Game Design with Minecraft (Ages 9-12)
- FPS Game Design (Ages 10-12)
- 3D Level Design - Portal™ 2 (Ages 10-12)
- Game Design for iPhone® & iPad® (Ages 10-12)
- Fencing & Video Game Creation (Ages 10-12)
The Web Designer/The Filmmaker/Photographer Staff Ratio Guarantee
The iD Guarantee
We guarantee ridiculously small class sizes, with a maximum of 8 students per instructor. Why? Because our teaching philosophy is premised on personalization – your path, at your pace. iD's passionate, adult-only instructors guide students through customized curriculum with 1-on-1 teaching. The immersive environment (typically 5, 6, 7 or 8 students – but never more than 8 per instructor) is ideal for fostering creativity.
Read more about the 8:1 iD Guarantee.
How We Teach - Personalized Instruction
Most courses are beginner through advanced. Our innovative curriculum is premised on a blended learning strategy. Students receive blended (or hybrid) instruction through use of the brand new iD Game Plan engine along with live 1-on-1 instruction from our team of educators. Ridiculously small ratios (8:1) allow students to move along at an appropriate, customized pace. Students spend approximately 5 hours on the computer each day, but there is also plenty of off-computer time with Tech-Reation to give students a fun, well-balanced summer camp experience. Students take frequent breaks and have outside play. Up for an organized sport? So are we! Grab a disc and arrange a game of Ultimate Frisbee. Students also have the option for chess, board games, cards, and other traditional summer camp activities.
Adult-Only Staff, No Counselors-in-Training
Our entire staff is comprised of adults ages 18 and over. iD Tech Camps has respectfully created a no Counselors-in-Training (CIT) policy at our summer technology camps. Students learn best from adults who have mastered their skills in technology. Instruction is delivered by graduate and undergraduate students majoring in the fields of Computer Science, Computer Engineering, App Design, Film and other related fields.
Sample Day
Schedules may vary according to needs of specific groups and university locations.
7:30 am
Overnight students in our sleep away camps (boarding camps), along with Extended Day Campers, need fuel to exercise their brains! Eat breakfast in the dining hall. Breakfast on campus is normally all-you-can-eat, and consists of favorites such as sausages, pancakes, orange juice, cereal, waffles and fruit.
8:00 - 9:00 am
Day Camp Check In. All campers meet for morning announcements and ice breakers. A quick team-building exercise is such a great way to start out the day!
9:30 am
Break into course groups! Let the learning begin! Oops. Did we say learning? We meant...Let the fun begin!
12:00 pm
Lunch time! Overnight, Extended Day and Day Campers on the iD lunch plan typically eat in the dining hall. Students who bring their own bag lunch will either eat in the dining hall with the rest of the campers, or may laze under a shady tree outside with their instructors. Last year's favorites: lasagna, turkey sandwiches, pepperoni pizza, curly fries and chicken fingers. What's the dining hall serving up this year?
1:00 pm
Back to the labs! Yahoo! All rested and ready for round two!
2:30 pm
A game of Ultimate Frisbee, anyone? Capture the flag? Low-key board games? Gaming tournaments? How about some time to "chillax"? Our summer camp activities vary.
3:30 pm
Back to the labs again! Re-energized and ready to continue creating.
5:00 - 6:00 pm
Wrap-up your project!
Day Camp students depart for Pick-up Area. For Overnight Camp students and Extended Day Camp students, it's Open Lab time.6:00 pm
Dinner for Overnight Camp students and Extended Day Camp students.
7:00 pm
Extended Day Camp students go to the pick-up destination. Overnight Camp students explore supervised recreational activities such as sports, gaming tournaments, movie night and Capture the Flag, or maybe even continue working on projects. The bottom line is we want our campers to have the time of their lives!
10:00 pm
Lights Out! (Teens may have extended lights-out hours.)
11:00 pm
Good Night Teens!
Game Design Camp Reviews
What Parents Are Saying
“Excellent opportunity for your child to learn what it takes to make the games they play every day! It is work your child will love to do! Michael I., parent, Adventures in Game Design
“Our daughter loved it! It was a great boost for her self confidence and helped her develop skills that she can enjoy for a long time.Nancy G., parent, Adventures in Game Design
“My son is now more than ever excited about computers and the infinite possibilities that they afford. It also taught him to use his imagination when using computers and not to rely on what already exists. This has been an overall wonderful and exciting experience for him. It is one that he will never forget. He came home everyday talking about it. He usually describes his experiences as good. This time I got details.Lisa H., parent, Adventures in Game Design
“Our daughter had a great week here! She loved applying her creativity in new ways and the opportunity to make new friends.Robyn L., parent, Adventures in Game Design
“Our son really blossomed at iD Tech Camps this year. Our normally quiet and shy child talked and talked about how great his instructor was and even commented about other classmates being helpful along the way.Heather P., parent, Adventures in Game Design
“Wow, can’t believe how much the kids learned in one week…from knowing NOTHING about the game application, to walking out with a completed game, amazing! My son loved being at iD Tech Camps! Nicole Q., parent, Adventures in Game Design
“After the first day my son’s evaluation of camp was “concentrated heaven.” Thanks for a great experience!
Libby F., parent, Adventures in Game Design“The first day of camp, my son came home and said that he finally met kids that were like him. He’s never been so excited about ANYTHING before. He’ll be back. Gina K., parent, Adventures in Game Design
“Great camp experience. Very well organized. Loved the efficiency and security of drop off and pick up. Kids loved having the lunch option to eat at the student cafeteria. We would definitely do this camp again.Ellen I., parent, Adventures in Game Design
“You took my son who doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere and made him come alive. We will definitely be back.Daun W., parent, Adventures in Game Design
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is iD Tech Camps the World’s #1 Tech Camp?
We offer:- Guaranteed staff ratios of 8 students per instructor.
- Innovative curriculum powered by iD Game Plan.
- The latest tech products.
- Highly qualified, adult-only staff.
- A university experience.
- Age appropriate kids camps plus more intensive Teen-only programs.
See Why iD for more information.
Where is this course offered?
We have 60 university locations nationwide. Go to Step 3 for detailed information about where this course is offered. You’ll be able to see our exact location on campus in My Account once you register.How much do your camps cost?
Tuition varies depending on course, location and camp options. Go to Step 2 for pricing information and our cancellation policy.What are the dates of camp?
Our summer computer camps start in June and run through August. See a specific university page for detailed information about session dates.What if I get sick or have summer school?
Our cancellation policy allows you to cancel your session up to 3 weeks prior to the start of camp. You’ll get your tuition back, minus the non-refundable deposit per week/per student.How do I find out if the course I want is still open for enrollment?
You can view the “Real Time Availability” of all of our courses, locations and dates online! Just select your university or college of interest on our locations page.How do I register?
Go to Step 3 and pick a location to register.I loved this course! Can I take it again?
Yes, you can take a course multiple times. Many students choose to take the same course over again so that they can build on their skills. Our curriculum is very deep, and has enough challenging content for a full summer. Another popular option is to enroll in a different course each week, thereby gaining a comprehensive introduction to a certain tech genre. We have suggested track programs in video game design, programming, photography & filmmaking, web design and more.What do campers eat?
All meals are included with our overnight and extended day programs. Day campers have the option of purchasing the lunch plan or bringing a sack lunch. The lunch plan is recommended, but not mandatory. If the lunch plan is purchased, lunch is provided Monday – Friday. Many university dining facilities do not permit outside food to be brought into the dining hall; students bringing bag lunches may eat outside of the dining hall with their classmates and instructors. Lunch is provided to all students on Fridays, as part of an iD-style picnic.What if my student already has experience?
Experienced students and iD Alumni – we have the perfect challenge for you! With our continually evolving curriculum, students will be able to move along faster and more independently, or collaborate utilizing our customized lessons while still receiving our gold standard 1-on-1 instruction (maximum of 8 students per instructor, guaranteed).Do you have any teen programs?
iD Tech Camps has a Teen Scene that provides older students with a more independent experience on campus. Teens enjoy extra privileges appropriate for their environment and maturity levels, and although we maintain standard supervision ratios, teens will feel a sense of freedom. Special Teen Scene activities include computer gaming tournaments and Gamingpalooza.iD also offers specialized iD Teen Academies in Gaming, Programming and Visual Arts at select locations across the country. These teen camps are intensive, two-week courses with tours of nearby industry hot spots and bi-weekly portfolio building workshops. See our iD Teen Academies page for more information.
Do I need to bring my own computer?
No, students do not need to bring personal computers to camp. Each student is provided with a computer at camp; students never have to share computers.Do you use Macs or PCs at iD Tech Camps?
We use both platforms at our summer computer camps. We attempt to mirror the industry standard in each of our summer camp courses. For example, our programming courses are typically taught on PCs and our digital video courses are generally taught on Mac computers. We find that it is an important skill to be proficient on BOTH platforms.What “off-computer” activities are there?
We are a summer computer camp, but are we in the labs all day? No! Balance is the key to every week at iD. While we are in the labs a majority of the day, we certainly take time out for outdoor activities and Tech-Reation. Tech-Reation activities may include organized outdoor games, movie nights, talent shows, additional gaming competitions and the ultimate university experience. Activities are divided by age and interests whenever possible and may vary by location. Imagine a traditional summer camp with a technology focus – that’s what we are.Where do your instructors come from?
At iD Tech Camps, our staff is family! Each member of our team comes to us with a blend of spirit, energy, enthusiasm, knowledge of technology and experience with kids and teens. Our goal is to ensure that every location is comprised of experienced returning camp counselors along with new individuals who bring a fresh perspective to camp.Many of our instructors are graduate and undergraduate students in Education, Engineering, Computer Science, Film and Programming. Often, these instructors come from the same recognized universities where we host our summer programs including Stanford, MIT and Columbia University. We also employ tech coordinators, teachers and principals from various school districts, and seasoned professionals on sabbatical to train students in their respective industries. Staff members undergo in-person training as well as extensive background checks each summer. We have a great crew that comes back year after year to create a unique and high-energy environment.
Why don’t you use Counselors-in-Training?
Distinguishing ourselves from most summer camps, we’ve respectfully created a “No CIT” policy. This guarantees that each student is instructed and supervised by paid adult staff members, ages 18 and older, not teenagers of camp age. CITs, we feel, can be an asset to some camps, but not iD Tech Camps. Read more about how we teach.Do you provide transportation for students? What about Carpooling?
We do not arrange transportation for our students. For your convenience, we have created a new, user-friendly carpool application located in My Account. All transportation to and from camp is the responsibility of the parent/guardian. There are child transportation services that past campers have utilized, which can be found through a web search. iD Tech Camps is not affiliated with any such company and thus cannot be held accountable for clients’ use of outside transportation services.How do I register? How do I contact you?
We suggest you start by finding the course availability at the location you desire, and you’ll be guided through the process. Registering online is the fastest way to get into camp. Or, you can phone us as at 1-888-709-TECH (8324) or 1-408-871-2227. You can also email us at info@internalDrive.com. And, if you’d like a brochure sent to you, please click the brochure link.
Tuition & Hours
What's Included?
Course Instruction, supervision, camp T-shirt, flash drive with take home project, campus tours, hardware/software discounts, free year-round online workshops, and optional sports, chess and gaming tournaments. Campers also take home exciting raffle prizes, a personalized diploma of graduation and impressive new tech skills.
Registration for our 2013 Season is live! Refer-A-Friend and save $50!
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DAY CAMPSAges 7-17 | CHECK-IN: 8AM-9AM MON-FRI. |
Make new friends, explore a college campus, and eat in dining halls. New Flex Hours! At check-in and check-out there is an hour of flex time - a convenience for commuting parents. |
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EXTENDED DAY CAMPSAges 7-17 | CHECK-IN: 7:30AM MON-FRI. |
For commuting parents who need a bit of extra time, we offer extended camp hours. Our extended day program runs from 7:30AM to 7PM and includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. |
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OVERNIGHT CAMPS*Ages 10-17 | CHECK-IN: 5PM-6PM SUN. |
This option is for ages 10+. The ultimate collegiate experience! Overnight campers stay in student housing on campus and eat meals in the dining hall, starting with Sunday dinner - Friday lunch. |
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ULTIMATE GAMING WEEKENDS**Ages 12-17 | A BRIDGE BETWEEN CONSECUTIVE WEEKS OF CAMP. |
This option is for ages 12+. Most families use it as a bridge between two consecutive weeks of Overnight Camp. Stay the weekend and game with us! Meals, housing, gaming, and supervision are all included. |
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iD TECH 365All Ages | ONLINE LEARNING 24/7, 365 DAYS A YEAR |
The perfect add-on to our summer programs. Keep learning year-round with our online subscription service. Learn from tech tutorials, compete in gaming tournaments, and stay connected through community forums. |
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*Overnight iD Tech Campers must be 10+. No exceptions, please. **Students ages 12+ can stay the weekend at select locations for $349. Students at Stanford, ages 10+, can also stay the weekend. Continuing Education Units (teens only) are available for purchase. All prices are quoted in U.S. Dollars and include all taxes. |
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