SALISBURY — During Game Maker Camp offered this summer by middle school computer teacher Margaret Hattaway, campers got the chance to build their own videogames. They also tested and played each others’ games.
“Campers learn problem-solving skills, expand their creativity, and learn how to design a system,” said Hattaway, who has offered this camp for two summers. “Plus, it’s just a fun week for them. It’s very different from other camps offered locally.”
Wes Barringer built a game he calls The Amazing Race that is based on what he enjoys about the games Mario Galaxy or Mario Kart. Barringer said he enjoyed the camp and learned that a video game can be built in a shorter time than he anticipated. “I like making games because you get to design them yourself, the way you want it, and then you get to play them,” he said.
Tom Bristol also enjoyed the camp and said that making games helped him learn about balance and discover how computer games are designed. “It’s very challenging, and it teaches you about the elements of a video game,” he said. “I liked the camp, and I learned a lot.”
Salisbury Academy offers camp programs for children entering junior kindergarten through rising ninth-grade students. Children do not have to attend the school to enroll in camp programs.
Sessions will be offered through July 26, with morning, afternoon and whole-day sessions. The program also offers flexible drop-off and pick-up schedules. This year, Salisbury Academy will host Camp Invention July 22-25, providing extended science education for elementary school children. A day at the Camp Invention program includes hands-on activities, brainstorming, experimentation and action. Children rotate through modules each day, each of which encourages working in teams, engaging in investigations, experiments and engineering challenges that combine science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Parents must register campers for this camp through the Camp Invention website. A link may be found on the Salisbury Academy site by visiting www.salisburyacademy.org.
Registration is open.