August 15 to 19, 9AM to Noon

CAMP DIY ARCADE

at The Game is Afoot Arcade in Warrington, PA

The goal of this camp is for each camper to learn STEAM while designing and coding their very own arcade game with a custom arcade game controller they built!

Electrical Circuits

Campers will learn about electrical circuits and how to control the flow of electricity with creative switches.

Coding

Campers will code their own games. All experience levels are welcome and will be able to make a fun and customized arcade game.

Invention Literacy

Campers will learn how to design their own unique arcade controller for their game(s).

Look Inside

An arcade expert will show campers what is happening inside each arcade game, what is happening with each part, how the controllers work, and how to fix them.

Cardboard Engineering

The campers will have the tools and supplies to build large and dynamic structures out of cardboard for their arcade games. These can be to hide the computer and wires or for the controllers.

Sharing

Friends and family are welcome to join our campers at 11AM on Friday, August 19th as they share their DIY arcade game for you to play.

Only a few spots remain open for this camp.

Purchase a camp ticket to claim your spot.

Unlock your child's creativity and use their passion for video games to inspire it.

Michael Carroll, The Camp Director

Michael Carroll is a local teacher with a passion for teaching kids to invent by using common materials in uncommon ways. He has written books about inventing including his latest, Scrappy Circuit--a modular DIY system for kids to invent circuits with parts sourced from a dollar store. Michael Carroll can be contacted at CampDIYArcade@gmail.com

The Game is Afoot, The Venue

The Game is Afoot Arcade

Warrington Crossing Plaza

114 Easton Rd., Warrington, PA 18976

There is no better place for this unique camp than the amazing The Game is Afoot Arcade. This retro 80s arcade is full of fun, creative games for campers to do research, experience different ways to control an arcade game, and see what is happening inside the arcade cabinet.

What Each Camper Needs to Bring

Each camper needs to bring the following to camp each day. If you have any questions about this please contact Michael Carroll (the camp director).

  • A fully-charged laptop, Chromebook, or MacBook (no iPads or tablets)

    • Needs to be able to access wifi

    • At least one free USB port

  • Charging cable for laptop or similar device

  • Headphones (optional)

  • A login for Scratch and MakeCode (Microsoft)

  • A snack

  • A water bottle (optional, the arcade has a water fountain)

General Information

Camp DIY Arcade costs $300 for the five mornings on August 15-19. Each camper will get a unique, dynamic, fun, and personal experience as they learn STEAM skills. Each camper will get to use and keep a Makey Makey ($50 value). This will allow them to continue making custom computer/video game controllers well after camp ends. They will also get a copy of the book Scrappy Circuits ($25 value). Each camper will have access to a material room full of building supplies including Makedo cardboard tools, good cardboard boxes for your arcade, scrap cardboard, aluminum foil, wires, and much more. Campers will be able to take their whole arcade game home.


Camp DIY Arcade will run from 9AM - Noon on Monday, August 15th to Friday, August 19th. This is the only week of camp and is designed for kids between the ages 8-14. As campers arrive they are welcome to do some research by playing the arcade games. Each day will start with a direct lesson about designing video/arcade games. These will include electric circuits, coding, invention literacy (how things work), and more. The camp will close with a camper-created arcade allowing family and friends to play the game their camper created.


How to register:

Registering for Camp DIY Arcade has two steps...

  1. Purchase a ticket on this page.... https://www.eventbrite.com/e/384590880677

  2. Register for camp on this page... https://forms.gle/3qRrCZ57gfYr1zRL7

To register for camp, click the link below...

Please feel free to reach out to CampDIYArcade@gmail.com with any questions or comments.