Woburn, MA - Reviews

# 1:

“Parents, Game Camp Nation is not just about gaming! It is an opportunity for your child to learn and excel in many different areas. My son attended Game Camp Nation three years in a row. This camp complimented his STEM high school mission. Just look at the similarities:

-Dayton Regional STEM School (DRSS): “prepare students with the skills necessary to compete in the global economy…

-Game Camp Nation: Develop skills you need for success in today’s media-driven world

-Dayton Regional STEM School: nurturing in our young people the same enthusiasm for discovery, invention, work with enthusiasm and a commitment to excellence, individually and in groups

-Game Camp Nation: (nurture) creativity & innovation, critical thinking & problem solving, communication & collaboration

My son had a great time in the workshops, learning with others that shared similar interests. I felt good knowing he was in a safe environment that not only thrilled him, but expanded his knowledge and potential. Furthermore, he gained valuable leadership skills while serving as a junior counselor last year. Simply put, Game Camp Nation is a fun, educational and safe camp for enthusiastic (and brilliant) super-gamers. I HIGHLY recommend it.”

-Danita M.

# 2:

"My sons ages 12 & 16 have been taking part of the programs at Game Camp Nation for the past 4 & 5 years. Their experiences have them continuously eager for more at the end of each program. The staff is amazing and very helpful and a great deal of fun.

My daughter cannot wait for her day to attend. My 12 yr. old had this to say about his experience: "I have learned in the past 4 years how to make video games and animations. The years I have been there have been fun and educational. The councilors have been funny and helpful with the programming. I would recommend this camp to my friends."

-Nichelle W.

# 3:

"My boys, now age 13 and 16, have attended Game Camp Nation for years. They spend all summer (or more) in eager anticipation, and the rest of the year is dotted with anecdotes, in-jokes, and stories from their times at camp. They actually rate Game Camp Nation above Christmas!

As a parent, I'm pleased with the opportunities they have to make new friends, and learn to create games. I've watched in near awe as one son used a game designer software package to create a new game in minutes, working faster than I could follow. And, although neither of them has yet to be bitten by the bug to program more, they do keep up with the programming lessons, and have learned to do art and design as well. As a software engineer myself, I'll keep hoping. Game Camp Nation has given them some fabulous growth experiences, and become a highlight of their year."

-Doug W.

# 4:

“Game Camp Nation has been an amazing experience for my sons, who have been going for several years now. It has influenced their choices for college and career options. Being able to learn about creating games from both a coding and design aspect is a unique experience. I only wish I had learned of Game Camp Nation earlier so they could have had more years there!”

-Ruth S.

# 5:

“Game Camp Nation is a unique opportunity for your child to learn a skill that isn't just a game. The game design industry is competitive and ever changing, so any opportunity to immerse your child in the experience is recommended. The camp allowed my husband and I to expose Josh to this field to see if he actually would enjoy pursuing it as a career. We feel that the investment paid off, as Josh enjoyed his experience and learned many new skills that he couldn't learn in high school. The Junior Counselor opportunities are especially exciting as they help foster skills that will enable him to apply to any social situation or career path.

The convenience of having the camp held at a hotel is an advantage for us since the environment is closely monitored, safe and controlled. In addition, the hotel amenities make for a comfortable and relaxing experience. As Josh mentioned, the overnight camp option helped Josh to really bond with his peers and make friends, something he looks forward to every year.

Finally, the registration was awesome and made the paperwork process simple, which helped avoid forgetting that "important document" on sign-in day.”

-Pam B.

# 6:

“When I first heard about Game Camp Nation, I saw a brochure of all of the camp’s programs and thought about how fun it would actually be to go and attend. Later on, my parents told me about the camp and asked if I would be interested in going. Naturally, I said yes, but I had only one concern: the other campers. I didn’t know anyone else who would be going that summer, and I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it as a result, especially since I was going to do the overnight camp. However, I was amazingly relieved when I met the friendly counselors and other campers on the first night. I could tell from the start that the other people at the camp would be just as nice and inviting as I had hoped, and my first week at game camp has kept me coming back for three years now.”

-Dan S.

# 7:

“Game Camp Nation is a great place to go and be yourself; a place where you can make new friends and learn new skills. I had an amazing experience throughout the five years that I have attended. I've met some cool friends and staff and have enjoyed the gaming tournaments as well as the instructional sessions. The camp group project is always fun and makes the camp refreshing, which helped make a difference for my experience. Since the camp is held at a hotel, there is a really unique overnight option where campers can stay at the hotel, making it more fun since you are able to use the hotel's facilities. The counselors at camp are very knowledgeable and friendly and make the camp fun; and I valued the chance to be a counselor through the Junior Counselor program. It's fun to be able to use the skills you learn during camp to make your own video game and be able to see the custom characters that you coded yourself.”

-Josh B.

# 8:

“Game Camp Nation is kind of like gamer Nirvana. For five years now I have been attending the camp during the summer, and every summer it gets 1000% better. One of the many things I get out of Game Camp Nation is the great friends I have met through the program, as well as friends I met through friends attending at other GCN locations. I have attended both Virginia and New Jersey locations, both of which are spectacular in their own way. I've seen almost every type of gamer here and it is very VERY hard to not find something, someone, or anything about Game Camp Nation that you will not enjoy. The staff are not just your instructors, some are your friends, some are amazing in every way, and I will never forget any of them. They are all very different but are all friends, and each of them seek to make you enjoy your time at the camp. My favorite time is tournaments, personally, as it allows me to display my skills from home, meet other people who share common interests, or are also good at games I play. Also, you get to learn other skills or games you wouldn't normally play at home, in a competitive, yet friendly environment.

I personally have a goal to become a counselor at the camp because the idea of not being part of this environment after high school is really sad. For those of you that need a little encouragement in the classroom during the school year, Game Camp Nation is a great incentive, and reward for doing well in school. Plus you will NEVER forget the great times you had here, as they are just so unique. I love going back and seeing my friends every year, and even if they aren't in my group I easily make new friends within the warm environment. For those of you with a competitive side, Game Camp Nation is as competitive as you want or doesn’t have to be at all. Camp has been my home away from home, and is easily the most comfortable place in the world for me; there is nowhere else I'd rather be. Trust me, if your child attends Game Camp Nation, even one week they will love it and ask you for another. There is no way not to enjoy a place where everyone is friendly, awesome, and has great people that want to make and play video games, because that's fun!”

-Rob Newman

# 9:

“I loved when they taught me how to make video games. I also loved the competition games on the Wii. I also liked that we got to go swimming and play basketball. The counselors are super nice and they help you with stuff that you don't know how to do. That's why this is my favorite camp.”

-Roman G.

# 10:

“For the five years in which I attended Game Camp Nation, I always get the feeling that every year gets better than the last. The staff and other campers are always friendly and relatable. The scheduled programming is unique every year so there will always be something new for returning campers. The technology and games are up to date as well keeping in mind the themes of the changing contemporary society. The educational aspect continuously enhances my experience as I always learn new skills to create in-depth video-games. Tournaments are always exciting, and the wide array of games constantly broadens my preferences. I always look forward to Game Camp every year as it always gives me some of the best memories of my life.”

–Brooks

# 11:

“Game Camp Nation is a special place. Every year, I look forward to coming back to Game Camp and seeing old friends, meeting new friends, and playing games. The first time that I went, about five years ago, when I was eleven, I was sort of down about it because I had just gone to another gaming camp that wasn't a great experience for me. As soon as I got to Game Camp, I made friends really easily, and we all started having fun. You get a perfect mix of learning and gaming here. The learning part comes in different forms, from simplified coding programs like Construct, to complicated 3D Design programs like Unity and Maya. You play in tournaments throughout your time there on all sorts of different platforms (PC, Xbox, PlayStation, etc.) The competition part of it is really just based on how you perceive it. It can be win or die competitive, or laid back, just play and have fun style. The balance between coding, gaming, and other play is maintained very well, so as not to feel like you are in school, but you're also not just staring at a screen all day. Time spent away from computers is also just as fun; from playing cards, to playing in the pool, to basketball and whatever else you can think of. I've been coming to Game Camp Nation for five years, and at this point, I really can't imagine how different my life would have been if I hadn't gone. For me, it has been life changing, but beyond that, it's just fun.”

Matteo F.

# 12:

“I thought Game Camp Nation was a lot of fun. Some things were tough when it came to working in lab or building video games. I had no idea how to do it, but the counselors helped me, then it got easier. We had a lot of fun at night, in and outside the room we stayed in and my roommates were very nice. We played games and the counselors played with us. I liked the video game contests and I hope I can win a hoodie next year. I can’t wait to go back this summer!”

Zack K.

# 13:

“When people think about summer, they most likely picture a carefree day on the beach or a week traveling but not me, I choose a different route. This summer, I began looking into camps that would suite my digitalized side, and that's when I found Game Camp Nation. Not only was it fun, but I was able to gain something from it in an interesting way. Not to mention all the friendly kids and awesome counselors there. My favorite part believe it or not, was the atmosphere; everyone was friends with everyone. It was as if we weren't random strangers, but strangers who were welcomed into one huge family where we could all share our ideas and concepts on things without fear of rejection. It truly was an experience and I'm looking forward to going back next year!”

-Emily

# 14:

“Over the years I have been attending Game Camp Nation every single moment that I could and the time I spent there was enjoyable. As the years have gone by I have made amazing friends and the experiences I have made were incredible. This camp is definitely one of the most enjoyable things that I look forward to all year long. Without this camp I may be different today. I have opened up a lot since I have joined not being afraid to cast my opinion on the various things that we do in the camp. Each day there is a new and exciting thing that we do.

The most memorable things have happened in camp, and ones that you could never forgot or ever want to forget. Everyone in game camp is very nice and will help you to the best of their capabilities. Even the campers there will take time out of their day to be friendly and nice to you. I have learned many things in game camp and I believe when I get to college these elements will help me make it through a little easier. Without this camp my summer would be more boring than it already is because then I wouldn't have anything to look forward to. I have been attending Game Camp Nation for 5 years now in New Jersey and I love every single moment of it. You will love this camp and I believe everyone should give it a try.”

-Hunter S.

# 15:

“This will be my fourth year at Game Camp Nation, I started off only staying for a week but loved it so much that I started adding on more weeks. Staying overnight was so much fun and the friends I met there I've kept in contact with and we always look forward to seeing each other during camp. Each year I got to learn more and more about coding while having a great time with friends and awesome counselors.”

-Eliot S.