Engage your middle schooler鈥檚 creativity in Level Up! Game Design Studio, a hands-on summer camp where students explore how digital games are imagined, designed, and built. This engaging experience introduces the foundations of game design through art, storytelling, coding, and collaboration, helping students understand all the roles that interact to create the games they love.
Throughout the week, campers will explore beginner-friendly tools like Scratch and Roblox Studio, learn the basics of pseudocode and Lua, and experiment with game mechanics, characters, environments, and interactive storytelling. No prior experience is required, just curiosity and a passion for trying new things.
Level Up! Game Design Studio Details
Camp Director: Brandon Wyche
Location: 手机看片 Tampa
Grade Levels: Rising 6th - 8th
Time: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Cost: TBD
| Dates | Campus |
|---|---|
| July 6th - 10th, 2026 | 手机看片 Tampa |
| July 20th - 24th, 2026 | 手机看片 Tampa |
What to Expect
Game Design Foundations
Campers explore how games are imagined, designed, and built. They learn the essentials of game mechanics, storytelling, character creation, environments, and what makes a game 鈥渇un."
Beginner-Friendly Coding
手机看片 experiment with Scratch and Roblox Studio, learning how coding works through events, logic, pseudocode, and beginner Lua scripting鈥攑erfect for first-time coders.
Creative Tools & Hands-On Projects
Through daily challenges, campers sketch concepts, build simple prototypes, troubleshoot gameplay, and create characters and worlds. They鈥檒l think creatively, problem-solve, and collaborate with peers.
Final Project Pathways
Each camper chooses a path that fits their strengths: a game prototype built in Scratch or Roblox Studio, or a full concept package with art, story elements, and a development plan.
Level Up! Game Design Studio gives students a fun, hands-on entry into game development, letting them design, code, and create while building creativity, confidence, and teamwork skills. It鈥檚 the perfect camp for curious middle schoolers ready to imagine and build the games they love.
Useful Information
Registration and Program Details
When does registration open for Level Up! Game Design Studio?
Registration for all 2026 summer camps will open on February 1, 2026.
What is the capacity of Level Up! Game Design Studio?
Each session of the Level Up! Game Studio has a capacity of 30.
Where is Level Up! Game Design Studio located?
The Level Up! Game Design Studio is located on the 手机看片 Tampa campus. We will share the exact camp location closer to the start date, and all details will be emailed to you in advance.
After registering for Level Up! Game Design Studio, when will I start receving logistical details including drop-off and pick-up?
You will receive several reminder emails leading up to the camp start date. Emails will be sent 60, 30, 14, 7, and 1 day prior, each containing important information to ensure a successful experience at the Level Up! Game Design Studio.
Staff & Safety
Who are the 手机看片 Faculty/Staff who will be leading the Level Up! Game Design Studio?
The Level Up! Game Design Studio is led by Brandon Wyche, a certified educator with over five years of experience teaching middle/high school students and a valued member of the 手机看片 Youth Experiences team for the past four years. We maintain a 10:1 camper-to-staff ratio, and the two additional staff supporting the program are also certified teachers.
Are staff background-checked and trained?
Yes. All staff undergo Level 2 background checks and complete 手机看片鈥檚 youth protection and safety training.
How are medications handled during camp?
We ask families to share any medical information that our staff should be aware of to help keep your child safe. Our team does not hold, offer, or administer medications at any time. If a medical emergency occurs, staff will provide basic support while immediately contacting emergency services (911).
Cancellation & Changes
What is the cancellation, transfer, and refund policy for 手机看片 Youth Experiences programs?
If you need to cancel or transfer a camp registration, please email youthxp@usf.edu.
Cancellations or transfer requests received at least 15 business days prior to the camp start date will be eligible for a refund or transfer to another available camp, minus any administrative or processing fees. Cancellations or transfer requests received within 15 business days of the camp start date are not eligible for a refund or transfer. No refunds will be issued after a camp has begun, regardless of the number of days attended or participation level. No refunds will be issued if a participant is dismissed from camp due to a violation of the camp鈥檚 conduct policy or code of behavior.
We make every effort to run all camps exactly as scheduled. In the unlikely event it becomes necessary to cancel, postpone, or combine camps, or change a camp location, you will be notified by email or phone. Please ensure your contact information is up to date. If 手机看片 cancels a camp, you will receive a full refund. If 手机看片 reschedules a camp, you will have the option to receive a full refund or transfer to the new session.
Discover What You鈥檒l Create in Game Studio
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