University of Georgia Launches GameCamp! Fundraiser

The University of Georgia announced that it will soon host Athens' first session of the GameCamp! student design study program. The camp will be held from July 20th to 24th, 2009. GameCamp! has previously conducted summer sessions in Texas and Louisiana. The program teaches participating middle and high school students the basic concepts of video game design. University of Georgia graduate student Josh Squires is heading up the college's GameCamp! branch. Squires notes that GameCamp! is designed to "instill a passion for learning through fun game related tasks." "The students will be grouped together according to areas in which they are struggling in school," Squires said. "These groups will then work with our camp counselors and design a game prototype that relates to that area in which they are being challenged at school." The Athens branch of GameCamp! has launched a fundraising campaign in order to buy equipment and offer scholarships to disadvantaged youth. Pledges are being collected using the Kickstarter online fundraising service. Currently, the project has earned $1,653 toward its funding goal of $3,000. Donations may be pledged up until the drive's deadline of July 2nd.