Play. Create. Grow.

Only $395/week

Gaming & Game Design Summer Camp

in Howard County

A summer camp for 21st-century skills

Camp begins June 22nd

Let the games begin!

Summer CAMPS 2026 - Arcade Architects Lab

How It Works

Each week, campers begin with a working game foundation and remix it through their own design choices. They modify gameplay rules, levels, mechanics, art, difficulty, and systems to create a Friday-ready playable game that reflects their ideas.

This remix-based approach allows campers of different experience levels to succeed within a one-week timeframe while still learning how real games are built, tested, and improved.

Campers rotate daily between two coached experiences:

Game Design Lab
Instructor-guided remixing of games, focusing on design decisions, systems, and creativity.

Gaming Arena
Structured play of today’s most popular games in a coached, supervised environment focused on teamwork, communication, sportsmanship, and digital citizenship.

Groups switch halfway through the day so every camper experiences both design and gaming.

Parents have input on what games their children are allowed to play.

Low coach-to-camper ratios ensure a safe environment in both physical and virtual spaces.

GAME DESIGN LAB themes

Arcade Architects Lab is an Ethos Prime summer camp where kids go from playing games to building them. Campers learn real game design skills including coding logic, character art, level building, challenge balancing, sound, and polish, while also developing teamwork, problem-solving, and strong digital citizenship through coached play.

At Arcade Architects Lab, every week is a complete game-design experience. Campers can join for any single week and jump right in, or attend multiple weeks to build on their skills and unlock even more creative possibilities.

Weekly Game Design Adventures

(Dates reflect first day of each camp week. Each week is a complete experience. Campers may join any week.)

22 JUN: Space Shooter Design Lab – movement, collisions, scoring, power-ups

29 JUN: 2D Platformer Design Lab – levels, jumps, hazards, collectibles
(no camp 3 JUL)

6 JUL: Endless Runner Challenge – obstacle design, difficulty ramp, high scores

13 JUL: Action Game Design – enemies, health/damage, balance

20 JUL: Tower Defense Strategy Lab – waves, tower types, upgrades, strategy balance

27 JUL: Puzzle Game Design Lab – combos, special tiles, level goals

3 AUG: Classic Arcade Design Lab – stages, bounce physics, power-ups

10 AUG: Survival Game Design – enemy swarms, upgrades, scaling difficulty

17 AUG: Competitive Shooter Design – aim + movement, weapons, waves

Each week is a complete game-design experience. Campers can join for any single week or attend multiple weeks to explore different design challenges and creative possibilities.

Ethos prime gaming arena lineup

Gaming Arena: Coached Play & Team Competition

Campers spend part of each day in the Ethos Prime Gaming Arena, participating in structured, coach-led gameplay focused on teamwork, communication, sportsmanship, and strategy. Games are selected from today’s most popular age-appropriate titles for school-aged players, including competitive team games, racing, and cooperative challenges.

Game titles may include popular options such as Rocket League, Fortnite, Minecraft, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., EA Sports FC, and other comparable games.

The final Gaming Arena game list will be confirmed prior to the start of camp. Families will receive a Game Approval Form where parents may review the game lineup and opt out of any titles they do not want their child to play.