BlackRocket Camps
Director: rich@blackrocket.com | Tuition: $195
Make Your First Video Game! | June 28 - July 2 | AM: Grades 2 - 5 | PM: Grades 5 - 8
If you love playing video games, this is the camp for you! Make your first video game in this one-of-a-kind class that shows you the keys to designing your first 2D platformer game. Conceptualization, play experience, level design, graphics, sounds, and simple coding are just some of the concepts that we’ll explore. No prior experience necessary, just a desire to have fun. Student projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Games are only compatible on PC computers, Mac versions can be created after the program for $15.00 conversion fee. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years.
YouTube® Content Creators | June 28 - July 2 | AM: Grades 5 - 8 | PM: Grades 2 - 5
Find your voice and leave your mark on the world! Whether you are six or sixty, it’s time to start a career as the next YouTube star. Explore the variety of content and personalities that exist on YouTube and how to find your own niche. Learn the Dos and Don’ts of the platform and how to practice good digital citizenship. Develop your on-camera presence, your own channel branding, and professional editing skills. Take home a plan for launching your own channel with the content created in class! Student projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students work in pairs or teams for most of the program.
Rocket Kart Racers: Design A Mario Kart® Style Game | July 6 - 9 | AM: Grades 2 - 5 | PM: Grades 5 - 8
On your marks, get set, create! Blast off in making your first 3D Mario Kart® and Crash Team Racing® style game! Design your own tracks and customize your karts and characters. Using a professional 3D game development software, students will combine their creations into their own kart racing game that they can play with friends and family at home. Students can participate in eSports League races against other schools across the country with a chance to have their tracks featured in the Black Rocket master build of the game! Student projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.
eSports Apprentice - Streamers and Gamers | July 6 - 9 | AM: Grades 5 - 8 | PM: Grades 2 - 5
Whether you want to be the next pro gamer, streamer, or gamecaster this course will teach you the basics to get started! No longer just a hobby, eSports is the fastest-growing career for the next generation. Over 400 million people watched YouTube videos and Twitch streams of video game competitions this year alone! In this course, students will develop game-play skills and compete using Black Rocket’s eSports games and apps, learn how to produce commentary for live tournaments, use professional streaming software, and most importantly practice online safety. Student recordings will be available on a password protected website to share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program. Videos will not be broadcast publicly but will be shared with all students in the class.
Make Your First 3D Video Game! | July 12 - 16 | AM: Grades 2 - 5 | PM: Grades 5 - 8
In this Black Rocket classic, you will go well beyond the limitations of the traditional 2D game design classes and create an immersive 3D world. Students will learn the physics behind 3D games, explore beginner event scripting, level design, controlling the flow of gameplay, and storytelling. Student projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family projects are only compatible with Windows devices. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.
Youtube FX Masters | July 12 - 16 | AM: Grades 5 - 8 | PM: Grades 2 - 5
3D Game Design with Unity | July 19 - 23 | AM: Grades 2 - 5 | PM: Grades 5 - 8
Are you ready to take your game design skills to another level? With Unity, an industry-grade design software, aspiring game designers will learn level editing, 3D modeling, impactful gameplay creation, as well as how to utilize scripts and variables. Student-created games will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years.
App Attack! | July 19 - 23 | AM: Grades 5 - 8 | PM: Grades 2 - 5
Take the first steps into the world of mobile app design and customize your own game app! Using a specialized app & game development tool, students will explore the world of web-based (HTML5) mobile apps. In addition to learning the basics of mobile app design and game development, you will also see firsthand how the world of App publishing functions. Student-created apps will be accessible on a private site and can be played on any mobile device or computer. Publishing to App Stores not included. Students do not need to own a smartphone or tablet to take this class. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years.
Battle Royale: Make Your First Fortnite® Style Video Game | July 26 - 30 | AM: Grades 2 - 5 | PM: Grades 5 - 8
Fans of Fortnite we need you! Instead of playing the game, design your own. Using a professional 3D game development software, build levels and assets inspired by popular battle royale games like Fortnite. Students can participate in eSports League matches against other schools across the country with a chance to have their levels featured in the Black Rocket master build of the game! This course includes cartoonish action and battle sequences. Student-created games will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.
ROBLOX® Coders & Entrepreneurs! | July 26 - 30 | AM: Grades 5 - 8 | PM: Grades 2 - 5
Discover how to code in the Lua language while playing and designing worlds in ROBLOX®, an online universe where you can create anything you dream of. This new class combines game design concepts, coding, and fun! Young entrepreneurs will also learn how to navigate ROBLOX’s fast-growing marketplace to publish their games. Student-created games will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.
Minecraft® Redstone Engineers | August 2 - 6 | AM: Grades 2 - 5 | PM: Grades 5 - 8
Take the next step beyond simply “playing” Minecraft and become a true Redstone engineer. Expand your Redstone knowledge by constructing your own carnival with a variety of mini-games, roller coasters, and attractions powered by Redstone. Learn how to use Command and Structure blocks to incorporate them into your builds. Activate your skills and take your Minecraft structures to the next level! Students must own a Java version of Minecraft to access their projects at home. Tablet, phone, and game console versions of Minecraft are not compatible. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.
Virtual Reality: The Future is Now | August 2 - 6 | AM: Grades 5 - 8 | PM: Grades 2 - 5
Embark on an EPIC adventure in virtual reality! In this cutting-edge class, you will learn the foundations of VR design by creating your own virtual worlds, exploring simulated environments, and crafting memorable 3D experiences. At the end of the week, take home your first cardboard VR headset to show friends and family the new worlds you created. VR projects can be viewed on a website or a mobile device. Students do not need a mobile device to take the class, but to use the VR headset a camper will need access to an Android or Apple mobile device. Students will work in pairs or teams and VR projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family.
Minecraft® Modders | August 9 - 13 | AM: Grades 2 - 5 | PM: Grades 5 - 8
Use your favorite game to learn the basics of modding and foundations of programming. Learn scripting and logic statements as you create your first mods! Introductory coding will also be taught through a simulated environment inspired by Minecraft. Student projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students must own a Java version of Minecraft to access their projects at home. Tablet, phone, and game console versions of Minecraft are not compatible. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years.
Python Programmers | August 9 - 13 | AM: Grades 5 - 8 | PM: Grades 2 - 5
Want to learn the world's fastest-growing programming language favored by Google, NASA, Youtube, and the CIA? ?Learn how to code with Python to create engaging apps and games. Each lesson takes you step-by-step on a programming path that will let you challenge friends with fun content you create from start to finish!? Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years?.