Unity Game Development

Format: 5 days • 4 sessions per day • 1.5 hours per session • In-person

Overview: Across five days, campers go from Unity basics to a polished, shareable mini‑game. Each day blends short lessons with hands‑on sprints. No prior Unity or coding experience required. All levels are welcome.

Day 1 — Foundations and First Scene

1. Setup + Editor Tour: Create a project; learn Hierarchy, Scene, Game, Inspector, Project.
2. 3D Basics: Place/transform objects, parenting, snapping, basic lighting.
3. Assets 101: Import/manage models, textures, audio; organize folders.
4. Scene Polish: Materials, textures, skybox, simple post‑processing.

Outcome: First composed scene with custom assets and basic lighting.

Day 2 — Movement and Interaction

1. C# Scripting Basics: Components, variables, Update vs. FixedUpdate; first script.
2. Player Controller: Keyboard/mouse input; physics‑based motion.
3. Collisions and Triggers: Rigidbody, colliders, tags, layers.
4. Feedback and Feel: Sound effects, camera follow, movement tuning.

Outcome: Controllable player/object with responsive movement and SFX.

Day 3 — Core Gameplay

1. Collect/Score: Pickups, scoring system, UI text bindings.
2. Hazards and Goals: Triggers for win/lose; respawn/reset logic.
3. Game Loop: Start/pause/restart; simple state management.
4. Prototype Playtest: Balance difficulty, tweak speeds, add particles.

Outcome: Playable prototype with objectives and a basic game loop.

Day 4 — Level Design and UI

1. Level Blockout: Layout flow, checkpoints, modular pieces.
2. Decoration and Optimization: Detail pass, batching basics, light polish.
3. UI with Canvas: Health/score, timers, menus, buttons.
4. Audio and FX: Music loops, event SFX, win/loss feedback.

Outcome: A complete level with functional UI and polished presentation.

Day 5 — Build, Polish, and Share

1. Bug Hunt: Debugging, console, common fixes; performance checks.
2. Finishing Touches: Animations, transitions, screenshake, trails.
3. Build and Export: WebGL or desktop build settings; test the build.
4. Showcase and Reflection: Play each other’s games, feedback, next steps.

Outcome: Shareable mini‑game build and a clear path for continued learning.

Skills Gained

• Unity fundamentals: scenes, assets, components, physics
• C# scripting for interactivity and gameplay
• Level design, UI, audio/FX, and polishing
• Iterative design, debugging, and playtesting

Level Up (for experienced developers)

• Advanced Movement: CharacterController vs. Rigidbody; coyote time and jump buffering; custom input with the Input System.
• Architecture: ScriptableObjects for data-driven design; event channels; dependency injection patterns (lightweight).
• AI and Systems: NavMesh agents, simple state machines, object pooling for performance.
• Graphics: URP materials, Shader Graph basics, post‑processing volumes, performance profiling.
• Tooling: Editor gizmos, custom inspectors, addressables for asset management.
• Build Targets: WebGL optimization tips, input mapping for controller support.

Camp Essentials

• Ages: 13 to 18 years old.
• Dates: Monday, 6/8/2026 to Friday, 6/12/2026
• Times:
  • Full-Day,8:30 AM–5:00 PM
  • AM, 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • PM, 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM
• Location: 2171 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
• What to Bring: Water bottle, lunch, and one or two light snacks.
• Video gaming: Allowed with parent permission during Exploration Time
• 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