What actually happens during the “Build your first video game” camp?

It's our most requested camp theme, for good reason: the promise is concrete, motivating, and delivered within a week. The camp runs over 4 half-days of 3 hours each (morning or afternoon, your choice): but what does a child actually do, from one session to the next? Here's how it really unfolds.

Session 1: the idea and the first characters

The camp starts with the most important question: what game do you want to make? A platformer, a chase game, a shooter, a maze — the child picks a direction with the teacher's help, who mainly helps frame a realistic idea for the week (initial enthusiasm sometimes aims bigger than what's feasible, and part of the teacher's job is helping prioritise). The first session usually ends with a character moving on screen, controlled by the keyboard.

Session 2: the game rules take shape

This is the session the project starts feeling like an actual game: enemies or obstacles appear, collisions get detected ("what happens when my character touches this?"), a score or lives system shows up. It's also when the child hits their first real logic bugs — an important moment, where the teacher guides without handing over the solution directly, so the child learns to debug on their own.

Session 3: levels, difficulty, and polish

A single level usually isn't enough for a motivated child — they want more. This session is often spent adding a second level, or progressively increasing difficulty (enemies move faster, there are more of them) — this is where the idea of game design naturally appears, a game that's too easy is boring, one that's too hard is discouraging. Whatever time is left goes into the touches that make the biggest perceived difference: background music, sound effects, a polished scene, a win or lose screen — relatively simple additions technically, but they turn a prototype into something that really feels like a finished game.

Session 4: the finished game, tested and shown off

The last session is spent on final adjustments and, most importantly, playing: the child tests their own game, sometimes invites other children in the group to try theirs, and leaves with a complete, working project they can show their family. A training certificate is handed out at the end, covering the skills practiced during the camp.

What about starting level?

No prior experience is needed — the camp uses Scratch, accessible from age 7 with no prior programming knowledge. Groups are formed by close age ranges so the dynamic stays appropriate for everyone.

Upcoming camp dates are available online, with an 11% discount for a 2nd child from the same family, and free cancellation up to 14 days before the start.