Camp Description:
In this hands-on and imaginative camp, young creators will dive into the world of board games, designing and building their very own unique games from start to finish. From creating game concepts and rules to designing boards, pieces, and cards, participants will learn the essentials of game design while unleashing their creativity. By the end of the camp, students will have a fully developed board game that they can play and share with family and friends.
Session Structure:
- Introduction to Game Design: Explore the fundamentals of board game design, discussing popular games and learning about essential elements like rules, objectives, and player interaction.
- Concept Development: Brainstorm ideas for a unique board game, focusing on theme, goals, and the type of gameplay (strategy, adventure, cooperative, etc.). Students will sketch out their ideas and decide on key elements like characters, settings, and challenges.
- Board and Card Design: Learn how to design and illustrate a game board that aligns with your game’s theme. Students will also create game cards, pieces, or tokens, using various materials such as cardboard, markers, and paints.
- Rule-Making and Game Mechanics: Develop clear and simple rules for the game, focusing on how players interact, how they progress through the game, and how they can win. Students will refine their game mechanics through trial and error.
- Game Playtesting: Once the games are designed, students will test each other's creations, playing through the games to ensure the rules work, the game is fun, and any adjustments can be made.
- Final Board Game Creation: Each student will finalize their game board, pieces, and rules, resulting in a fully playable board game they can take home.
Educational Objectives:
- Creative Problem-Solving: Encourage students to think critically about game design, including how to create balanced, engaging, and fun experiences for players.
- Artistic Development: Teach students how to visually design a board game, focusing on layout, illustration, and graphic design for the board, cards, and pieces.
- Collaboration and Feedback: Promote collaboration as students playtest each other's games, offering constructive feedback and learning how to refine their creations.
- Understanding of Game Mechanics: Help students understand the importance of clear rules and gameplay mechanics, and how these elements shape the player’s experience.
Materials Provided:
All necessary materials, including cardboard, markers, paints, game pieces, dice, and tokens, will be provided. Students may also bring their own materials or items to personalize their games.
