Game Builders Academy runs several of the Learning Institute Camps. Campers use and strengthen math skills, logic skills, communication skills, concentration and critical thinking skills, problem solving and creative thinking, all while doing something they love and enjoy.
Video Game Development Specialties
Schedule
Half the day consists of video game development. For the other half of the day, your child is placed in a recreation group of 8-10 campers in of the same grade and gender where all campers enjoy lunch, instructional swim and recreational sports.
Note: There is a $50 surcharge per two-week session for additional materials and staff requirements.
VG0: Starburst Video Game Development
Prerequisites: None
In this specially designed course, young campers learn how to create their very own video games, all in a very fun and encouraging atmosphere! Each day, campers are introduced to a brand-new feature that they learn to add to their games, and apply basic math and science to bring their games to life. Campers also have fun designing characters, levels, sounds and backgrounds, using their own artwork and creativity. By the end of the session, each camper will have created a fully working game, and will receive a CD with the game on it to take home for friends and family to play!
VG1: Introduction to Video Game Development
Prerequisites: None
Create your very own video game!
In this introductory level course, campers learn the fundamentals of video game development as they design and program a fully functional action/adventure game, complete with custom characters, levels, backgrounds, and more. Campers also use and strengthen math, logic, communication, concentration and critical thinking skills, and gain a great amount of self-confi dence – all while having fun designing their games! By the end of the session, each camper will gain a working knowledge of the technical and artistic concepts of designing video games, and will receive a CD with the fi nished game on it to share with friends and family, or even e-mail or post to a website for the world to see!
Make a Different Video Game Each Session!
Big News! Introduction to Video Game Development is now a repeatable class, which means that every time you take it, you will learn how to make a brand-new game!
VG2: Video Game Programming
Prerequisites: VG1: Introduction to Video Game Development
In this advanced course, campers see their game programming skills skyrocket as they learn to program their games using code. Campers learn the same concepts and techniques that professional game programmers use every day. The type of game campers create is an advanced, multi- level, side-scrolling, platformer game, which will contain many of the same features found in professional games. Campers also learn how to improve the graphics of their games with enhanced animation control and special effects. This specialty course is a great introduction to the world of computer science and professional game development.
VG3 Video Game Design Studio (formerly Video Game Worshop)
In this advanced course, campers who have honed their skills in previous video game development courses can take their creativity to a whole new level by becoming a video game director! The classroom becomes the camper’s own personal studio, where he or she can develop games using original ideas. Along with having time each day to work as a group on their games, campers also have one-on-one time with highly skilled and experienced teachers who guide them in planning out their game, and answer any questions they might have. Another portion of each class is dedicated to group discussions about game design, and how to make a polished, higher quality game. This is a repeatable course; campers can continue to build upon an existing game, or start a brand-new game every time they take the course.
VG: 3-D Animation Studio
Prerequisites: None
This specialty course will have campers diving head first into the exciting world of 3-D computer modeling and animation. Campers will have an incredibly fun time creating their own 3-D art, including 3-D characters, environments, and animations – with no prior drawing or art experience required. Whether you’ve seen it in video games, at the movies, or on TV, 3-D animation is everywhere, and campers will be working with state-of-the-art software, Maxon’s Cinema 4D – the same software used by professionals to create animated films such as Sony Pictures Animation’s Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and Marvel’s Iron Man. By the end of the course, each camper will have created multiple “pixar-like” 3-D models and animations, complete with textures, lighting, and other effects, and will receive a CD of all their work to take home for friends and family to see.
Program Director: Sally B. Rosenberg
M.A., computer graphics, New York Institute of Technology; B.A., fine arts/marketing, SUNY Albany. With twelve years of experience teaching graphic design, Web development, and game art and design to children and adults, Ms. Rosenberg is a co-founder of Game Builders Academy. One of her published works, Multimedia Projects BASICS: Curriculum-Specific Projects for Adobe and Macromedia, is designed to supplement the multimedia curriculum for middle and high school students. Adjunct instructor at Hofstra University, New York Institute of Technology, and Westwood College Online. With seven years experience as an instructor with Hofstra Specialty Camps and Saturday Classes for Young People, Ms. Rosenberg is also the resident "mom on board."
Co-Program Director: Michael Pugliese
Co-Founder of Game Builders Academy, holds a Bachelor's Degree of Fine Arts/Computer Graphics from the New York Institute of Technology where he received multiple awards for his work. Even earlier, he earned a certificate from Hofstra University's Continuing Education department after completing a 5 year program in Cartooning, Computer Animation, and Cartoon Sculpture. Michael has over 10 years of experience in teaching young students, and has developed various courses in Video Game Design for grades K-12. Michael is an experienced Graphic Designer, a published illustrator, and Game Builders Academy's resident aficionado of the video game industry. Nine years’ experience as an instructor with Hofstra Summer Camps and Saturday Classes for Young People.
3D Program Director- John DeRosa
3D Program Director- John J. DeRosa Mr. DeRosa received his M.A. in Communication Arts with an emphasis in 3D motion graphics from NYIT and his BFA in Graphic Design and BS in Art Education from Barton College. Mr. DeRosa is a graphic arts teacher at Northport HS, teaching animation, web design, computer art and digital video. Mr. DeRosa joined Game Builders Academy in 2008, teaching 3D Modeling and Animation, as well as developing their 3D curriculum. Mr. DeRosa has an appreciation for the arts, composing 3D renders, and exhibits his work at art galleries around Long Island. Four years experience as an instructor with Hofstra Summer Camps.
Video Game Development Specialties
-
VG0: Starburst Video Game Development
For Girls and Boys Entering Grades 2-3: Sessions 1 and 3 -
VG1: Introduction to Video Game Development
For Girls and Boys Entering Grades 4-9: Sessions 1, 2, and 3 -
VG2: Video Game Programming
For Girls and Boys Entering Grades 6-9: Session 2 -
VG3: Video Game Design Studio
For Girls and Boys Entering Grades 6-9: Sessions 1, 2, and 3 -
VG: 3-D Animation Studio
For Girls and Boys Entering Grades 4-5: Sessions 1
For Girls and Boys Entering Grades 6-9: Sessions 1, 2, and 3
Schedule
Half the day consists of video game development. For the other half of the day, your child is placed in a recreation group of 8-10 campers in of the same grade and gender where all campers enjoy lunch, instructional swim and recreational sports.
Note: There is a $50 surcharge per two-week session for additional materials and staff requirements.
VG0: Starburst Video Game Development
Prerequisites: None
In this specially designed course, young campers learn how to create their very own video games, all in a very fun and encouraging atmosphere! Each day, campers are introduced to a brand-new feature that they learn to add to their games, and apply basic math and science to bring their games to life. Campers also have fun designing characters, levels, sounds and backgrounds, using their own artwork and creativity. By the end of the session, each camper will have created a fully working game, and will receive a CD with the game on it to take home for friends and family to play!
VG1: Introduction to Video Game Development
Prerequisites: None
Create your very own video game!
In this introductory level course, campers learn the fundamentals of video game development as they design and program a fully functional action/adventure game, complete with custom characters, levels, backgrounds, and more. Campers also use and strengthen math, logic, communication, concentration and critical thinking skills, and gain a great amount of self-confi dence – all while having fun designing their games! By the end of the session, each camper will gain a working knowledge of the technical and artistic concepts of designing video games, and will receive a CD with the fi nished game on it to share with friends and family, or even e-mail or post to a website for the world to see!
Make a Different Video Game Each Session!
Big News! Introduction to Video Game Development is now a repeatable class, which means that every time you take it, you will learn how to make a brand-new game!
VG2: Video Game Programming
Prerequisites: VG1: Introduction to Video Game Development
In this advanced course, campers see their game programming skills skyrocket as they learn to program their games using code. Campers learn the same concepts and techniques that professional game programmers use every day. The type of game campers create is an advanced, multi- level, side-scrolling, platformer game, which will contain many of the same features found in professional games. Campers also learn how to improve the graphics of their games with enhanced animation control and special effects. This specialty course is a great introduction to the world of computer science and professional game development.
VG3 Video Game Design Studio (formerly Video Game Worshop)
In this advanced course, campers who have honed their skills in previous video game development courses can take their creativity to a whole new level by becoming a video game director! The classroom becomes the camper’s own personal studio, where he or she can develop games using original ideas. Along with having time each day to work as a group on their games, campers also have one-on-one time with highly skilled and experienced teachers who guide them in planning out their game, and answer any questions they might have. Another portion of each class is dedicated to group discussions about game design, and how to make a polished, higher quality game. This is a repeatable course; campers can continue to build upon an existing game, or start a brand-new game every time they take the course.
VG: 3-D Animation Studio
Prerequisites: None
This specialty course will have campers diving head first into the exciting world of 3-D computer modeling and animation. Campers will have an incredibly fun time creating their own 3-D art, including 3-D characters, environments, and animations – with no prior drawing or art experience required. Whether you’ve seen it in video games, at the movies, or on TV, 3-D animation is everywhere, and campers will be working with state-of-the-art software, Maxon’s Cinema 4D – the same software used by professionals to create animated films such as Sony Pictures Animation’s Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and Marvel’s Iron Man. By the end of the course, each camper will have created multiple “pixar-like” 3-D models and animations, complete with textures, lighting, and other effects, and will receive a CD of all their work to take home for friends and family to see.
Program Director: Sally B. Rosenberg
M.A., computer graphics, New York Institute of Technology; B.A., fine arts/marketing, SUNY Albany. With twelve years of experience teaching graphic design, Web development, and game art and design to children and adults, Ms. Rosenberg is a co-founder of Game Builders Academy. One of her published works, Multimedia Projects BASICS: Curriculum-Specific Projects for Adobe and Macromedia, is designed to supplement the multimedia curriculum for middle and high school students. Adjunct instructor at Hofstra University, New York Institute of Technology, and Westwood College Online. With seven years experience as an instructor with Hofstra Specialty Camps and Saturday Classes for Young People, Ms. Rosenberg is also the resident "mom on board."
Co-Program Director: Michael Pugliese
Co-Founder of Game Builders Academy, holds a Bachelor's Degree of Fine Arts/Computer Graphics from the New York Institute of Technology where he received multiple awards for his work. Even earlier, he earned a certificate from Hofstra University's Continuing Education department after completing a 5 year program in Cartooning, Computer Animation, and Cartoon Sculpture. Michael has over 10 years of experience in teaching young students, and has developed various courses in Video Game Design for grades K-12. Michael is an experienced Graphic Designer, a published illustrator, and Game Builders Academy's resident aficionado of the video game industry. Nine years’ experience as an instructor with Hofstra Summer Camps and Saturday Classes for Young People.
3D Program Director- John DeRosa
3D Program Director- John J. DeRosa Mr. DeRosa received his M.A. in Communication Arts with an emphasis in 3D motion graphics from NYIT and his BFA in Graphic Design and BS in Art Education from Barton College. Mr. DeRosa is a graphic arts teacher at Northport HS, teaching animation, web design, computer art and digital video. Mr. DeRosa joined Game Builders Academy in 2008, teaching 3D Modeling and Animation, as well as developing their 3D curriculum. Mr. DeRosa has an appreciation for the arts, composing 3D renders, and exhibits his work at art galleries around Long Island. Four years experience as an instructor with Hofstra Summer Camps.