Coding Camp with MakeCode Arcade

  • Price: Starting at $449
  • Age: Ages 7-9
  • Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
  • Format: Virtual Tech Camps | Small-Group, Online
  • Duration: Meets daily for 2 hours Monday-Friday

About This Course

Ready, Player 1! In this online version of our camp, you’ll code a collection of games in Microsoft MakeCode Arcade, from blasting away meteors in outer space to searching for hidden treasures in a fantasy castle. Design each game with custom pixel art, characters, and a story from your imagination! With visual coding blocks, you’ll create a score that goes up as you collect items and defeat enemies. Learn how fun coding and game design can be with iD Tech!

You'll learn to:

  • Design games with Microsoft MakeCode Arcade
  • Learn coding fundamentals like variables, loops, and events
  • Create custom pixel art and stories

Course Format

This course is part of a weeklong virtual summer camp running Monday through Friday. Your child will learn online with a small group of other students, in sessions led by expert instructors. Each day includes two hours of live instruction and peer collaboration plus two hours of self-paced project development. Learn more below. 

Sample Schedule

Here’s a sample of what a week in this course could look like. Keep in mind students will progress at varying paces, and this is meant to serve as an outline of key materials and the overall experience. 

Dive into visual coding with Microsoft MakeCode Arcade! You’ll learn how to connect code blocks to make an interactive game, like an endless item collector.

Advance to the next level of game design: you’ll code an action-packed game, like a space shooter, with a variable score and custom pixel art. You’ll experiment with more complex code, like lowering the player sprite’s health when it touches an enemy.

Bring it all together in a 2D platformer game! You’ll learn how to create a custom tilemap so the background moves with the player. Then, apply everything you’ve learned so far to design sprites, create variables, and code platformer mechanics like jumping.

Put your skills to the test in a final project! You’ll choose the project you want to make, whether you want to focus on coding, game design, or pixel art. You can customize it further with sounds and visual effects. The possibilities are endless!

At the end of the week, you’ll playtest your projects and show off your games at the iD Tech Virtual Family Showcase!

Portfolio-Boosting Transcript

At the conclusion of your child's course, they will receive an official iD Tech transcript outlining the skills they learned over the course of the week.

Elite Staff & Experienced Instructors

Passion for tech. Unmatched expertise. Personality that brings out the absolute best in your child. With 25 years of experience, we know there's no replacement for the best teacher. Each year iD instructors go on to be hired by the most prestigious tech companies in the world like Google, EA, Disney, Microsoft, and more. When your child learns from the best, they’ll unlock opportunities to become their best.

  • 100% USA-based, adult instructors

  • Recruited from top universities like Stanford, Caltech, and NYU

  • Rigorous background and reference checks

  • Robust training programs and certification

  • Adherence to American Camp Association accredited guidelines

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Software Engineer at Google

“My time as an iD instructor was really formative. I stayed with STEM in college as a Computer Science and Electrical Engineering major, and now I’m working at Google in Chicago. If you find yourself thinking about STEM-related things outside of school, follow that passion. Major in it. Keep pursuing it.”

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Software Engineer at Google

“My time as an iD instructor was really formative. I stayed with STEM in college as a Computer Science and Electrical Engineering major, and now I’m working at Google in Chicago. If you find yourself thinking about STEM-related things outside of school, follow that passion. Major in it. Keep pursuing it.”

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Associate Designer at Bethesda Softworks

“The spirit of innovation and creativity I felt around my students while teaching Unity led me toward my career as a professional game designer. My time at iD Tech taught me that no dream is too big, and that brilliant ideas can come from anywhere.”

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Associate Designer at Bethesda Softworks

“The spirit of innovation and creativity I felt around my students while teaching Unity led me toward my career as a professional game designer. My time at iD Tech taught me that no dream is too big, and that brilliant ideas can come from anywhere.”

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

Software Engineer at Disney

“The opportunity to create an environment of collaboration, inclusion, and creativity was a truly special experience. The skills I honed while teaching at iD Tech led me to my software engineering roles at ESPN and the Walt Disney Company.”

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

Software Engineer at Disney

“The opportunity to create an environment of collaboration, inclusion, and creativity was a truly special experience. The skills I honed while teaching at iD Tech led me to my software engineering roles at ESPN and the Walt Disney Company.”

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FAQ

In game development, level design sets up the gameplay, and involves everything from mission design to map and stage layout. Good level design is immersive. It's challenging enough to be engaging, but not too challenging that it's impossible. It drives players to keep playing to get better at the game. Each level should leave players feeling like they've progressed, either in their skill or in the story.

As video games get more and more advanced, they're beginning to look as visually sophisticated as blockbuster films. That means there is a lot going on behind the scenes! By combining a gamer's eye for design and game mechanics with Microsoft MakeCode Arcade, kids can level up their STEM skills.

While we are proud to offer world-class experiences on many of the world’s most prestigious university campuses, we also recognize that many families need the flexibility of quality virtual learning! It’s with these families in mind that we’ve adapted the core elements of our flagship camps to an online format with our Virtual Tech Camps. 

Like our on-campus programs, Virtual Tech Camps feature structured small-group sessions led by expert instructors. Each week includes live teaching of our signature, cutting-edge curriculum, plus peer collaboration, social time, and independent project work. To complete the experience, our Virtual Tech Camps incorporate all the magic of summer camp including games, challenges, and legendary iD traditions!

Yes, this course is designed for beginner to advanced students. Our small class size ensures that each student receives individual attention and has the freedom to learn at their own pace.

To run this online course with iD Tech, students will need a Mac or Windows computer (no Chromebooks, unless otherwise specified), a webcam, and a stable internet connection with access to Zoom video conferencing. Additional info on course-specific installation requirements will be communicated after registration.

As courses frequently sell out, we recommend registering early to secure your child’s spot. You can make unlimited changes - with no fees - up to 14 days before the start of your session. If you need to cancel, you will receive a refund of the amount paid, less the payment plan fee (if applicable) and the deposit of $250 per week. No refunds are provided for cancellations made within 14 days of the start of your session.

Our Online Private Lessons offer 1-on-1 learning with our inspiring instructors, curriculum customized to your child’s needs, and a full range of STEM and other academic topics. It's as simple as selecting a lesson package and topic, and then choosing an instructor to schedule a 60-minute lesson at the date and time that works best for you. Learn more. 

Our Program Specialists are here to provide you with the best experience. Looking for a personalized course recommendation? Need help signing up? We’ve got you covered. Call us at 1-888-709-8324 or email hello@idtech.com.

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