The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment (also known as the MADE) has announced that this year, they will start their very first summer camp program. Children from ages 9 to 13 will receive “an education in software development as well as a more cultured gaming palette” according to the press release. Campers can work on their own game projects using programs like Scratch and Sketchup, as well as other arts and crafts projects like designing board games or drawing their own video game characters. The camp does not have a strict class schedule, so campers that participate for multiple weeks can stick with their projects for longer periods of time.
In addition to game development, campers can also get an appreciation for game culture and history. The schedule for each week includes guest speakers and prominent figures from the game industry, to talk about and answer questions regarding video game development. There will also be two hours each day of playing classic video games at the Museum, which eschews newer games for older titles like Super Mario Bros., Zork or Sonic the Hedgehog. The camps begin June 25, with each session lasting one week, and continue through the end of August; campers can go for multiple weeks, as well. The price is $275 for one child for one week, though a daily lunch can be included for an additional $25. More information can be found at the Museum’s website.
I think this is a really cool idea; not just the software development angle, but the game appreciation angle as well. It might be the old man in me, but I like to see people playing and enjoying classic games.
