Ready to dive into the exciting world of game development?

Join experienced instructor Stephan Duga for a week of hands-on learning with Unreal Engine, one of the most powerful game creation platforms. This beginner-friendly course introduces you to the fundamentals of game design. You'll learn how to navigate the Unreal Engine interface, create basic 3D environments, design simple characters, and implement core gameplay mechanics. No prior experience is necessary – just bring your creativity and a passion for games! Get ready to start building your own game worlds!

Instructor:

Stephan Duga - Stephan is an educator who's been on a Latin-teaching journey for most of his career. A few years ago, he took a detour into Creative Media and Game Design, something he's been tinkering with since he was a kid. He's passionate about understanding how we learn and using the way we learn to play to enhance education. He firmly believes that game design should be open to everyone, and the more diverse minds we have shaping games, the cooler they become.

For Makers entering 7th - 12th grade

Date/Time: June 9-13, 2025, 9AM to Noon

Unreal Engine Game Design: From Beginner to Game Creator

Level up your game design skills with this two-week intensive course led by expert instructor Stephan Duga! This program caters to both beginners and those with some prior experience.

Week 1 (Beginner): Start with the basics, learning the Unreal Engine interface, creating 3D environments, designing characters, and implementing fundamental gameplay mechanics. No prior experience is needed!

Week 2 (Advanced): Build upon your new skills and delve deeper into advanced game development concepts. Explore topics like level design, scripting with Blueprints (Unreal Engine's visual scripting system), creating and importing assets, and more complex gameplay mechanics. This week will challenge you to take your game design to the next level and create more polished and engaging experiences. Some familiarity with Unreal Engine or other game development tools is recommended, but not required. Students who complete the beginner week are well-prepared for the advanced content.


INSTRUCTOR: Stephan Duga

Stephan is an educator who's been on a Latin-teaching journey for most of his career. A few years ago, he took a detour into Creative Media and Game Design, something he's been tinkering with since he was a kid. He's passionate about understanding how we learn and using the way we learn to play to enhance education. He firmly believes that game design should be open to everyone, and the more diverse minds we have shaping games, the cooler they become.

Date/Time: June 9-13 and 16-20, 2025, 9AM to Noon

FOR makers in grades 7-12

For rising 9th-12th grade youth

Unleash your inner blacksmith at our week-long Summer Blacksmithing Camp.

Get hands-on with fire and steel as you master the fundamentals of forging, bending, twisting, and shaping metal into unique creations. Under expert guidance, you’ll learn proper techniques and tool functions, gaining the skills to turn raw metal into art. You’ll primarily work with gas-fired forges but also get the chance to experience the raw, old-school power of wood and coal-fired forges. Each day brings new challenges, from crafting functional items to experimenting with decorative twists and designs. Whether you’re a future artisan or just ready to try something awesome, this camp is your forge for creativity and confidence. Grab your gloves—it’s time to heat things up!

Date/Time: June 16-20, 9AM to Noon

Instructor: Thaddeus Prevette, Mixxer Resident Artist

Instructor Bio: Thaddeus Prevette is a sculpture artist who began working with three dimensional objects back in 2016. He graduated from Western Carolina University in 2020 with a BFA in studio art and graduated from East Carolina University with an MFA in sculpture in May of 2023. He participates in public art exhibitions and was commissioned for the design of the ECU 911 Memorial sculpture back in 2021. He works with recycled and repurposed material to create narrative artwork that is influenced by historic and modern mythologies.

Create Your Own Comic Book – Storytelling & Illustration 

Bring your stories to life in this exciting comic book workshop! Over the course of the class, you'll create your own characters, develop an engaging storyline, and learn essential drawing techniques to craft a unique comic book from start to finish. Whether you're into superheroes, fantasy, or everyday adventures, this workshop will help you turn your ideas into a fully illustrated comic. No experience is needed—just your imagination and a love for storytelling! You'll leave with a completed comic book, ready to share your world with others.

For rising 6th-12 grade students

Instructor: Issis Kelly - Multi-Medium Artist and Mixxer Instructor


Date/Time: June 16-20, 9AM to Noon

Discover the intricate balance of skill and artistry in welding. This comprehensive course, led by Mixxer Resident Artist Thaddeus Prevette, offers an introduction into the world of welding techniques and creative expression. The best part is - No Experience is Needed!

Over the five-day session, you'll gain hands-on experience with Arc Welding. Learn how to safely operate welding equipment, understand different metals and their properties, and master essential welding techniques like joint preparation, heat control, and puddle manipulation.

Beyond technical proficiency, this course introduces students to the artistic side of welding. Explore the possibilities of creating unique and visually stunning metalwork. Thaddeus will guide you through design concepts, project planning, and finishing techniques to help you bring your ideas to life.

This course is the perfect opportunity to ignite your creativity and forge your path in the world of metalworking. 

For rising 9th-12th graders

Date/Time: June 16-20, 9AM to Noon

Instructor: Thaddeus Prevette, Mixxer Resident Artist

Instructor Bio: Thaddeus Prevette is a sculpture artist who began working with three dimensional objects back in 2016. He graduated from Western Carolina University in 2020 with a BFA in studio art and graduated from East Carolina University with an MFA in sculpture in May of 2023. He participates in public art exhibitions and was commissioned for the design of the ECU 911 Memorial sculpture back in 2021. He works with recycled and repurposed material to create narrative artwork that is influenced by historic and modern mythologies. 

Unlock the power of code with Python!

This beginner-friendly class introduces you to the exciting world of programming through hands-on learning and creative problem-solving. You’ll start with the essential building blocks of Python, including variables, data types, and basic syntax. From there, you’ll explore how to interact with users through input and output operations, perform arithmetic using Python’s built-in tools, and even experiment with randomness using the random module.

You’ll also learn basic error handling and debugging techniques to help you write cleaner, more reliable code. As you build your skills, you’ll get to create simple scripts—and even dive into game development using Pygame.

 No prior coding experience is necessary—just bring your curiosity and a desire to learn!

For rising 6th-12th graders

Instructor: Andrew Rust of ByteSize Learning will guide you through the process, empowering you to create your own digital world.

Date/Time: June 23-25, 9AM to Noon

Teen Mural Creation – Design & Paint a Mobile Mural

Unleash your creativity and paint BIG in this four-day mural workshop! Each teen will design and create their own 4ft x 4ft mural on professional mural cloth—a flexible surface that can be installed on a wall at home or anywhere you choose. You’ll learn real mural-making techniques, from sketching your design to layering paint for a bold, eye-catching masterpiece. No experience is needed, just a love for art and a willingness to get messy! Be prepared for hands-on work and standing for extended periods as you bring your vision to life, and leave with a stunning, personal mural to take home.

For rising 6th through 12th graders

Instructor: Issis Kelly - Multi-Medium Artist and Mixxer Instructor

Date/Time: June 23-27, 9AM to Noon

Embark on a coding adventure and become a Python pro!

This comprehensive 6-day course takes you from the basics of Python programming to more advanced concepts through hands-on practice and fun projects.

You’ll begin by learning the foundations: variables, data types, and Python syntax. As you build confidence, you’ll explore input/output operations, arithmetic calculations, and how to add unpredictability with the random module. You’ll also develop essential debugging techniques and learn how to handle common coding errors.

Next, you’ll dive into data manipulation with lists, indexing, and loops, then level up with object-oriented programming techniques to better structure your code. You’ll gain experience with file operations—reading and writing data using both built-in and external libraries—and learn how to use functions to make your code clean and modular.

Throughout the course, you’ll create simple scripts, experiment with game development using Pygame, and work on projects that challenge you to apply your new skills in creative ways.

No prior experience required—just curiosity and a desire to learn!

For rising 6-12 graders

Instructor: Andrew Rust of ByteSize Learning will guide you every step of the way. No prior experience needed for the first three days; some familiarity with basic programming concepts is helpful for the advanced portion. (Grades 6-12)

Dates/Times: June 23-28, 9AM to Noon