Arcade Action Coding

Dodge, jump, aim, shoot! Start your journey in game development by making not one, not two, but 3 mini arcade style action games! In this introductory camp, students will learn how to code basic game mechanics using Godot from scratch.

Then, using Inkscape, students will refine the game UI and customize and elevate the graphics, creating a polished arcade game they can play with friends.

When and Where?

Monday July 13 - Friday July 17, 2026; 1:00 - 4:00pm.

Location: The Vancouver Independent School for Science and Technology (VISST): 1490 West Broadway, Vancouver.

Who?

This camp is for students going into grades 5-8.

Why should you attend?

Learn to program using Godot, a real game-making engine used by professionals.

Learn visual design and how art and tech work together in real projects — not just coding in isolation.

Most importantly: it’s fun! Build games — and play them. A blend of playfulness and learning makes the camp experience memorable and meaningful.

Earn a certificate of completion from the Vancouver Independent School for Science and Technology.

What will you learn?

Hello World!: Free from any pre-scripted templates, students will learn how to code their games from square one using GDScript, a language similar to Python.

Game Programming Logic: From idle, to running, to jumping. How do game developers piece their games together and make it all function?

Level Up Graphics: Students will spend more time on the graphical side of game design and level up their game’s aesthetics, starting with a simple circle to whatever vision they have for them.

Play with Friends: Students will be able share/post their own games to play with not only their classmates, but also family and friends.

Program Requirements

Every student will need their own laptop with Godot and Inkscape installed and running. A mouse is also strongly recommended.

Camp Instructor

Thanh Nguyen

Thanh is a multimedia artist with over a decade of experience in teaching creative technology and digital fabrication in the Metro Vancouver region.

Since graduating from the Art Institute of Vancouver with a degree in Game Art and Design, she has been teaching game design and programming, 3D modeling and animation. She has been developing specialize curriculums and teaching a creative technology courses, workshops and camps with

Byte Camp and MakerLabs, and is currently the Design and Technology Specialist with VISST.

Thanh is always looking for ways to provide accessible avenues of learning to students keen on learning about the digital arts.

www.linkedin.com/in/thanh-nguyen-a2775826

Questions?

Please email [email protected].