SafariCamp: Scratch Coding Adventure

Parents: A beginner-friendly coding camp where students use Scratch to create safari-themed games, animations, and interactive stories. Campers in grades 1–3 explore the basics of coding through playful, age-appropriate projects inspired by animals, habitats, and adventure. As they build their own digital safari world, students practice sequencing, events, movement, sound, and simple game logic in a fun and supportive environment. Level Up options are included for older or more advanced campers in grades 4–6.

Kids: Go on a safari and make it come alive with code! Create animal characters, design wild habitats, and build your own game or story in Scratch. You can make animals move, add sounds, create challenges, and invent your own safari adventure.

Project Model

Campers create one complete safari-themed Scratch project by the end of the day. Students choose characters, backgrounds, and actions while learning how to use coding blocks for events, movement, animation, sound, and simple scoring or interaction. Activities are designed for grades 1–3, with optional Level Up extensions that add more advanced logic and features for grades 4–6.

Daily Structure

4 ninety-minute sessions per day (S1–S4)
Individual computer-based coding projects with optional buddy brainstorming
Differentiation built into each session with Try This First for grades 1–3 and Level Up for grades 4–6
Tools: Scratch, headphones, drawing tools optional

Build Your Safari World

Outcomes: Learn how Scratch works, create a safari-themed project, and use coding to make animals move, react, and interact in a finished game or animation.

S1 Choose Your Safari Adventure
Activities: Get to know the Scratch workspace, choose a safari theme, and pick animal sprites and backgrounds. Campers learn how event blocks work, such as starting with the green flag or responding to clicks and key presses.
Words: sprite, backdrop, code block, event, costume, sound.
Try This First: Add 1–2 animal sprites and a background, then make one animal move or react when clicked.
Level Up: Create custom animal art or add multiple costumes for animation.

S2 Make the Animals Move
Activities: Add movement, sounds, and actions to safari animals. Campers can make animals run, jump, roar, swing, or explore the screen while beginning the main action of their project.
Try This First: Make an animal move with keys or click actions.
Level Up: Add smoother movement, random wandering, or different actions for multiple animals.

S3 Add Game Rules or Story Features
Activities: Campers choose whether to make a simple safari game or an interactive story. Students can add scoring, collect items, avoid obstacles, or create story scenes with dialogue and sounds.
Try This First: Add a simple goal, such as clicking animals or reaching a target.
Level Up: Add a timer, obstacles, win screen, or multiple scenes.

S4 Playtest, Polish, and Share
Activities: Test projects with a partner, fix bugs, improve visuals and sounds, and get ready to share. Campers present their safari project and explain what their code does.
Reflection: What happens in your safari project? What was one cool thing you learned how to code?
Level Up: Add a bonus animal, surprise effect, or extra challenge before sharing.

Why Families Love This

For Parents: Campers leave with a finished coding project and a positive first experience with programming. The day balances creativity, problem-solving, and confidence-building in a format that feels playful and approachable.
For Campers: You get to make your own safari game or story and bring wild animal adventures to life with code.

Inclusion & Confidence Builders

• Beginner-friendly design for grades 1–3
• Level Up options available for grades 4–6
• Choice-based themes and creative freedom
• Bugs treated as part of learning
• Sharing moments to build confidence and pride

Camp Essentials

Ages: Grades 1–3, with Level Up challenge options for grades 4–6
Times:

• Full-Day: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
• AM: 8:30 AM–1:00 PM

Location: 2171 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
What to Bring: Water bottle, lunch, and one or two light snacks
Video Gaming: Not allowed
Tech Provided: Computers and robotics kits (for in-camp use only; equipment stays with us)
Skill Level: Beginners welcome; no prior coding experience required
Dress Code: Comfortable clothes; indoor-friendly shoes
Contact: camps@yblueridgeboost.com • (434) 260‑0636
Allergies/Medical: Share details during registration; bring any necessary meds
Behavior & Safety: Kindness first; follow staff directions; internet safety rules apply