Imagine
Students start with curiosity, strange ideas, and the freedom to explore what could become a game.
Game Design Summer Camp
Make real games this summer!
July 6-24
A bold three-week summer experience where young creators imagine, design, test, and launch original games. No experience necessary. Just a passion for play and a desire to learn.
Every young game designer deserves a place to imagine boldly, make confidently, and share what they create.
Make
They prototype, test, revise, and build with support from mentors who keep the process practical and fun.
Share
By the end, campers have something playable, discussable, and worth showing to the people around them.
Take your game idea from imaginable to playable.
Camp Playmaker blends analog design, digital creation, collaboration, and presentation into a single three-week arc. Campers move from rough ideas to real mechanics, from sketchbooks to screens, and from personal inspiration to projects they can actually launch.
Three weeks, three creative leaps.
WEEK 1
July 6-10
Analog Game Design
Students learn the language of games through paper prototypes, systems thinking, story prompts, and fast playtesting.
WEEK 2
July 13-17
Digital Game Design
Campers move from concept to screen, shaping levels, interactions, and visual direction inside beginner-friendly tools.
WEEK 3
July 20-24
Launch Your Own Video Game
The final week is about polish, feedback, and sharing a playable build that students can proudly show off.
It starts with play.
It leads to anything.
Campers leave with skills, momentum, and a bigger sense of what they can make next.
Creative confidence built through hands-on making
A stronger understanding of how games actually work
Practice giving feedback, revising, and collaborating
A real project students can share with family and friends
Common questions from parents and supporters
8 questions
What is Camp Playmaker?
Camp Playmaker is a hands-on game design camp where students learn how to create their own games through storytelling, design thinking, collaboration, prototyping, and beginner-friendly digital game development tools.
Who is Camp Playmaker for?
Camp Playmaker is designed for middle and high school students who enjoy creativity, games, storytelling, art, technology, or just building things. Students do not need prior experience to participate.
Does my child need coding experience?
No. Camp Playmaker is beginner friendly and designed for students with little or no technical experience.
Does my child need to know how to program?
No. We focus on teaching game creation concepts first. Students use beginner-friendly tools that allow them to build games without advanced programming knowledge.
Is this camp only for kids interested in computers?
Not at all. Students interested in drawing, storytelling, world-building, strategy, animation, design, music, and creativity often thrive in the program.
What age group is the camp designed for?
Camp Playmaker is designed primarily for middle school and high school aged students.
What if my child has never made a game before?
That’s completely okay. Many students start with no experience at all. The camp is structured to guide beginners step-by-step through the process.
What makes Camp Playmaker different from other tech camps?
Most tech camps start students directly on a computer following tutorials. Camp Playmaker starts with imagination, collaboration, and game design fundamentals first. We focus on helping students think like creators, not just software users.
7 questions
How does the camp work?
Camp Playmaker is structured as a progressive learning experience that moves students from ideas to playable games.
The camp begins with analog game design and gradually introduces digital game development tools in a beginner-friendly way.
Why do you start with analog game design?
We intentionally begin away from screens so students can focus on creativity, gameplay ideas, storytelling, and player experience without being overwhelmed by technology.
Students first learn:
- How games work
- How rules shape experiences
- How to prototype ideas quickly
- How to playtest and improve concepts
This builds confidence before moving into digital tools.
What happens during Week 1?
Week 1 focuses on analog game design and creative development.
Students may:
- Create game worlds and stories
- Design characters and mechanics
- Build paper prototypes
- Create posters or cover art
- Playtest games with classmates
- Learn the fundamentals of player experience
What happens during Weeks 2 and 3?
Weeks 2 and 3 introduce digital game creation using a beginner-friendly game development platform.
Students learn how to:
- Build interactive games
- Create levels and environments
- Add gameplay mechanics
- Test and improve their ideas
- Turn concepts into playable experiences
Will students actually make a playable game?
Yes. One of our core goals is helping students create something interactive and playable by the end of camp.
What software do students use?
We use beginner-friendly game development tools that allow students to focus on creativity and game design concepts instead of getting stuck in complicated technical systems.
Will my child spend all day on a computer?
No. Camp Playmaker balances screen time with collaboration, sketching, planning, discussion, movement, brainstorming, and playtesting activities.
6 questions
What skills will students learn?
Students develop skills in:
- Creative thinking
- Problem solving
- Storytelling
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Design thinking
- Digital creativity
- Iteration and feedback
Is this camp educational or just for fun?
Both. Camp Playmaker is designed to be highly engaging while also teaching real creative, technical, and collaborative skills.
What if my child struggles with reading?
Students should be comfortable with basic reading and following instructions independently. They do not need advanced technical skills, but self-direction and curiosity help students succeed.
What personality types do well at camp?
Students who enjoy creating, experimenting, imagining, building, or exploring ideas tend to thrive.
Do students work alone or in teams?
Students experience both independent creation and collaborative activities throughout camp.
Is there competition involved?
Some activities may include friendly competitions, challenges, or playtesting sessions to keep students engaged and motivated.
4 questions
Does my child need to bring a laptop?
We will provide laptops for the students to use.
What kind of computer experience is needed?
Very little. Students only need basic familiarity with using a computer and a willingness to learn.
Do students need gaming experience?
No, although students who enjoy games often connect naturally with the material.
What if my child is more creative than technical?
That’s perfectly fine. Camp Playmaker values creativity just as much as technology.
3 questions
What does a typical day look like?
Camp days include a mix of:
- Creative exercises
- Group discussions
- Game design activities
- Hands-on building sessions
- Playtesting
- Breaks and movement
- Collaborative learning
Will students get breaks?
Yes. Students have scheduled lunch, snack, restroom, and transition breaks throughout the day.
How do you keep students engaged all day?
The camp is designed around active creation, experimentation, and interaction. Students are consistently building, testing, discussing, and improving ideas rather than passively watching lessons.
4 questions
What will students leave with?
Students leave with:
- Greater confidence creating things
- A deeper understanding of how games are made
- Original game concepts and prototypes
- Experience using creative technology
- A creator mindset
What is the biggest goal of Camp Playmaker?
Our goal is to help students shift from simply consuming games to realizing they can create games and interactive experiences themselves.
Does Camp Playmaker help students prepare for future careers?
The skills students practice (creativity, design thinking, communication, collaboration, and digital literacy) are valuable across many future creative and technology-related fields.
Will parents get to see what students created?
Yes. We plan opportunities for students to share, demonstrate, or showcase what they’ve worked on during camp.
7 questions
What should students bring to camp?
We’ll provide a recommended materials and preparation list before camp begins.
What should students wear?
Students should wear comfortable clothing appropriate for a creative, active learning environment.
Is lunch included?
Yes, we will provide lunch and light snack options for each day of the camp. However, some parents may choose to have their child bring their own lunch and snacks, and that is perfectly acceptable. Please notify us if there are any food allergies.
Can my child attend one week?
Yes. Students can attend a single week. Each week has its own focus, though the full three-week experience gives students the strongest path from idea to playable game.
Where is the camp hosted?
Camp Playmaker is hosted at Do Greater Charlotte, 2400 Greenland Ave., Charlotte, NC 28208.
How do I register?
This year, registration for Camp Playmaker is handled through Luma.com. You can register online at: https://luma.com/campplaymaker
What if I still have questions?
We're happy to help. Reach out through our contact page or registration platform and we’ll gladly answer additional questions.