University of Massachusetts Amherst

Creative Game Design with Minecraft

For Grades 4 - 5

Step into a summer of creativity and exploration with Game Design in Minecraft!

In this immersive Minecraft camp, kids will unlock the mysteries of coding and game design while crafting their own thrilling experiences within their favorite sandbox world. They’ll explore virtual landscapes, experiment with physics, and tackle challenges that bring game design to life in a blocky, interactive world.

From platformers to story-driven adventures, they’ll build, test, and share their games, gaining new skills in design and problem-solving.

Beyond the digital world, campers will also enjoy outdoor action and big camp games, blending screen time with real-world play. This camp offers the ultimate Minecraft experience for aspiring creators, combining coding, gaming, and adventure into an unforgettable summer journey.

Friday Family Showcase: 2PM-3PM

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Camp Hours: 9AM-3PM
After Camp, M-TH: 3PM -6PM*

*Location Dependent. This option will appear after selecting a camp week if this location has it available.

$475.00 - $595.00

$475.00

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Select Camp Week June 30 - July 4 (4 days) July 21 - 25 (5 days)

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About Creative Game Design with Minecraft
Throughout this course, students will sharpen their skills in constructing Minecraft worlds and coding within the MakeCode platform, mastering the art of programming dynamic elements, crafting intricate buildings, and altering gaming landscapes. This program merges imagination with technological proficiency, enabling students to design distinct game scenarios and embed stories within the Minecraft universe. They will delve into the fundamentals of game design and narrative construction, employing these concepts to forge captivating gaming experiences that highlight artistic storytelling through digital platforms.
Topics Covered
• Introduction to game design with Minecraft.
• Advanced coding with MakeCode and command blocks.
• Comprehensive game development principles.
• Minecraft building projects to create an immersive game experience.

Learning Outcomes

Advanced Skills in Minecraft World Building and Coding
Students will develop advanced skills in creating and modifying worlds in Minecraft using Redstone, command blocks, and the MakeCode interface. This includes learning to program interactive elements, design complex structures, and manipulate game environments, fostering an in-depth understanding of digital creation and coding within a popular and engaging platform.
Integration of Creativity, Game Design, and Storytelling
The course encourages students to blend creativity with technical skills, allowing them to design unique game experiences and tell stories within the Minecraft platform. They will learn the principles of game design and narrative development, applying these concepts to create immersive and interactive gaming experiences, emphasizing creative expression through digital mediums.
Physical Development and Team Collaboration
Students will participate in various sports to develop physical coordination, fitness, and social skills like teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship. This holistic approach supports physical education and social-emotional learning, balancing technological skills with physical and cooperative play.

Sample Schedule

Here’s a sample of what a week in this course could look like. Keep in mind, our experienced instructors will build the camp that is right for your student, and this outline demonstrates some of the key materials and the overall camp experience.

Monday: Dive into Game Design with Minecraft

Kick off the camp by exploring what makes a good video game, focusing on different genres. Students will begin their Minecraft adventure, brainstorming game names, and developing backstories.

Tuesday: Interactive Worlds and Character Creation

Delve into the mechanics of RPG games and the use of Redstone to bring interactive elements to life. Students will learn to blend storytelling with technical skills, crafting characters and integrating command block logic for dynamic gameplay.

Wednesday: Advanced Coding Techniques

Students will get hands-on with the Minecraft MakeCode interface, undertaking coding challenges that bring their game designs to new heights. The day focuses on expanding their coding knowledge.

Thursday: Constructing the Minecraft Game

Adventure further into the world of game design, using Minecraft to construct iconic levels, mazes and complex puzzles, incorporating the week’s learning into students’ game design.

Friday: Final Project Development and Showcase Prep

Conclude the camp with a day dedicated to finalizing adventure games, focusing on adding polish and debugging. Students will create marketing materials for their games and prepare for a final presentation, showcasing their unique Minecraft worlds and the stories within.

Course Format

This course is part of a weeklong summer camp running Monday through Friday. Your child will learn in a small group setting on an inspiring university campus from an experienced instructor. An exciting daily schedule balances learning and exploration of this topic with a variety of outdoor and recreational activities within the larger camp setting. Lunch and aftercare options are available based on location.

Our Instructors Are Our Top Asset

At BAM!, our vision for innovative K-8 education extends beyond just curriculum; it encompasses the educators who bring that curriculum to life. Selecting & training our educators is a continuous and meticulous process, ensuring they are not just equipped with subject matter expertise but also the skills to inspire and connect with students on a personal level.

100% adult educators recruited from prestigious universities ( No CITs at BAM!)
Highly refined interview and background check process
Extensive training that goes well beyond curriculum & classroom management
Ongoing year-round opportunities to teach in our summer camp. After-school, and structured recess programs.

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Creative Game Design with Minecraft