ESA research shows rise in game design summer camps

According to new research by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), more than 300 summer camps teaching video game design are being offered to children in the United States. The ESA believes the rise in camps is due to the desirability of game design careers and the renewed focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.

"With the nation's renewed focus on STEM education, I'm encouraged to see a complementary growth in camps where students explore their personal interest in game design, learn valuable skills, and perhaps most important, have fun doing it," said Rich Taylor, senior vice president for communications and industry affairs at the ESA.

"Video games are increasingly acknowledged as innovative educational tools and video game design offers students great opportunities to develop the advanced math and problem-solving abilities they will need to achieve success and keep America competitive in the 21st century economy."

Students typically spend one to two weeks learning a variety of game design skills and developing simple titles for mobile devices. The programs are offered at select colleges, middle schools, and high schools in 27 states nationwide. The full list of programs can be found here.