Game Academy
Want to design a game? Build a world? Make something playable? You’ll do it here — hands-on, with a team behind you.
Level up Your Summer
Step into the world of game development and see what it’s really like to study at the college level. The Champlain Game Academy gives high school students (grades 10–12) and recent graduates the chance to dive into the fast-paced, collaborative world of game creation—just like the pros do.
Modeled after Champlain’s nationally recognized Game Studio, the Academy emphasizes hands-on teamwork. As a student here, you will explore every corner of the industry, including:
- Game Art & Animation
- Design & Narrative
- Programming
- Production Management
- Business
- Sound Design
Then, under the guidance of professors and industry veterans, you’ll sharpen your skills in areas that excite you most. Working together, you and your team will bring an original game concept to life using industry-standard tools like Maya, Unity, and C#.
By the end of the Academy, you’ll:
Understand how professional dev teams really operate
Create a playable prototype to showcase in a college application portfolio
Gain firsthand experience of what it’s like to study game development in college and live on campus
|
Ages & Grade Level |
Dates |
Cost |
|
| Game Academy | Ages 15–18 Grade 10–12 |
Monday, July 5 – Friday, July 16 |
$4,500* |
*This Early Bird Rate ends on January 4, 2027, at 5:00 PM. Use code EARLYBIRD27 when registering.
What you’ll do
- Explore game art, design, programming, and sound
- Work in industry-standard tools like Maya, Unity, and C#
- Bring an original game concept to life with your team
- See how production management and business shape a game
- Sharpen your skills in the areas that excite you most
- Create a playable prototype for your portfolio
- Learn how professional development teams operate
This isn’t a summer of just playing games. It’s hands-on, team-based, and built around making one. You’ll test ideas, take feedback, try again, and surprise yourself — and have a blast doing it.
Why You’ll Love the Game Academy
In the Game Academy pre-college summer program, students will:
- Experiment with every discipline in game development
- Work with industry-standard tools, including Maya, Unity, and C#, in a studio-style environment
- Try different roles on a team, from game art and design to programming and sound production
- Experience what studying game development at the college level looks like
- Develop a working game prototype for your portfolio
- Discover which game roles excite you most
- Build skills and confidence through hands-on team projects
- Explore the beautiful city of Burlington, Vermont
- HAVE FUN!
In this pre-college summer program, you’ll learn from Champlain College professors who teach in our Game Studio and have extensive expertise and professional connections in the game industry.
Program attendees will have a lot in common with their fellow students. By working together in the classroom, living together in the residence halls, and enjoying extracurricular activities, students form friendships that last far beyond the length of the Academy.
“I now have a vision of what I want to do with my life, and game creating isn’t just a dream anymore.”
—Game Academy Attendee
In an ever-changing world, Champlain College is renowned for preparing future leaders in the most sought-after career fields and professions that today’s students are most passionate about. Explore our facilities, learn from our industry-expert faculty, and enjoy our beautiful campus.
Who Should Attend
- Students entering grades 10–12 and recent high school graduates
- Gamers and creators who want an introduction to every role in game development, from art and design to programming and sound
- Future developers who want a head start on college
- Students who want to build a playable prototype with a team
What You’ll Gain From It
- A playable prototype for your portfolio — something you built with your team, not just followed along with
- Hands-on experience with the same industry-standard tools game developers use
- Real insight into how professional game teams operate
- Skills and confidence that matter, whether you’re applying to game programs, exploring creative careers, or finding out what you’re capable of
Sample Daily Schedule
| TIME | ACTIVITY |
| 8:00–9:00 AM | Breakfast and Morning Meeting |
| 9:00 AM–12:00 PM | Game Studio Session I |
| 12:00–2:00 PM |
Lunch and Recreation |
| 2:00–5:00 PM |
Game Studio Session II |
| 5:00–10:00 PM |
Dinner and Recreation Activity |
| 11:00 PM |
Lights Out |
More Inside Academics
On-Campus Degrees & Programs
With dozens of professional areas of study and career-relevant work experiences built into every program, a Champlain degree offers a huge advantage when marketing yourself to prospective employers.
Different by Design
Fueled by purpose, our future-focused education is relevant today and years ahead of its time.
Our Learning Approach
Champlain College is different by design. Our innovative academic model breaks down traditional barriers to give you the skills, experience, and flexibility to help shape our rapidly changing world.
Areas of Study
Areas of Study match your interests to our majors and programs, while exploring related careers, course highlights and campus organizations.
Study Abroad
Become a globally engaged professional. Our study abroad programs provide many pathways to life-changing experiences.
Academic Support
At Champlain College, we've built a support system where someone always has your back—from day one through graduation.
Graduate School Pathways
Options for Champlain undergraduate students to obtain an advanced degree through simplified admissions processes and articulation agreements.
Faculty