SCRATCH GAME DEV & MAKER
Journey to Dino World
Ages 4 - 7
Roar into the prehistoric past!
Campers travel to Dino World, where dinosaurs stomp, jungles grow, and stories unfold. Young explorers code dinosaur adventures on screen and then build a dino-inspired invention to match their imagination.
Dates: July 13th - July 17th, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Week: WEEK 3
Cost: $630.00 + HST
Early Bird Discount: $580.00 + HST (ends March 31st)
Sibling Discount: $25.00 OFF
Extended Care (Optional):
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM / 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM - $120.00 + HST
Get ready to stomp into the prehistoric past!
In Journey to Dino World, your child becomes a dino explorer, storyteller, and maker.
Campers create dinosaur-themed stories and games using ScratchJr (a beginner-friendly visual coding app for young kids) and then bring their ideas to life through a hands-on STEM Gadget Build.
In the morning, your child learns block-based coding by animating dinosaurs, designing jungle scenes, and building interactive adventures. In the afternoon, campers switch to making mode, using cardboard, recyclables, and craft materials to build a dino-inspired gadget or invention that connects to the day’s theme.
It’s part coding, part making, and all imagination.
Solution Topic
Your child will learn early coding and STEM thinking through guided play, storytelling, and hands-on building.
Your child will:
- Learn step-by-step thinking (sequencing) using block-based coding
- Understand cause-and-effect by making characters move, talk, and react
- Explore early problem-solving and debugging
- Practice creativity through storytelling and design
- Build engineering confidence through a hands-on STEM gadget project
- No prior coding experience needed.
Design, Experiment, Build
Your child will:
- Engineering Design Process
- Ideate, brainstorm, and design Dino Journey Adventure Game
- Learn the Fundamentals of Coding
- Create amazing animations, stories, and simple games with CODE
- Engineering fundamentals - Design and build a mechanical Dino
- Friendly intro to AI
- 3D printing workshop
Camp Learning Journey
Day 1: Welcome to Dino World - Coding Fundamentals
Morning:
Campers are introduced to the world of dinosaurs and learn how stories and games are created. Using block-based coding fundamentals, your child will be animating dinosaurs, designing jungle scenes, and building interactive adventures.
Afternoon:
Campers switch to Maker mode and begin planning their mechanical dinosaur build. They explore materials, sketch ideas, and learn how to create real-world movement using simple machines and manual mechanisms.
Day 2: Dino Movements - Animation & Simple Machines
Morning:
Your child programs dinosaurs to walk, jump, and roar using block-based coding. Campers learn how changing the order of blocks changes what happens on screen.
Afternoon:
Campers explore engineering principles of movement by experimenting with simple machines such as levers, wheels, and sliders. They begin building the moving parts of their mechanical dinosaur using cardboard and recycled materials.
Day 3: Game Logic & Dino Build
Morning:
Campers add logic to their ScratchJr projects, such as triggers, interactions, and simple challenges. They practice problem-solving and correcting mistakes as they improve their game or story project.
Afternoon:
Maker time focuses on building the dinosaur's body and attaching moving components. Campers test how pushing, pulling, or turning creates motion and refine their designs based on what works best.
Day 4: Project Customizations & Testing
Morning:
Your child personalizes their Dino World project by adding details, scenes, and interactions. Campers test their projects and learn how small changes can improve gameplay.
Afternoon:
Campers continue refining their mechanical dinosaur, strengthening movement and improving stability. They test, adjust, and redesign parts of their build to make movement smoother and more reliable.
Day 5: Refine, Showcase & Celebration
Morning:
Campers make final improvements to both their ScratchJr project and mechanical dinosaur. They practice explaining how their projects work and what they learned.
Afternoon:
The week ends with a fun Dino Showcase & Celebration, where campers proudly share their creations, demonstrate movement, and celebrate their achievements together.
What will you learn?
- Block-based coding fundamentals
- Sequencing and cause-and-effect
- Early debugging and problem-solving
- Creative storytelling and design
- Hands-on STEM building and maker confidence
What will you make?
Campers will work in teams and learn the basics of design thinking and coding fundamentals.
Campers will make exciting projects using SCRATCH:
- Animations
- Stories
- Simple games
In the afternoons, campers will have maker sessions, designing and building a mechanical Dino.
What will you take?
- Digital Portfolio of Projects
- Certificate of completion
- 3D printed project
- Camper Progress Report
- STEM Gadget
Friday Fun Day
This camp will be heading to a FIELD TRIP on Friday - Destination: ROM
The final camp day includes: celebrating and sharing projects
PIZZA LUNCH DAY (Campers enjoy PIZZA lunch Party on Friday - On us!)
Computational Thinking
- Beginner coding and sequencing
- Game logic and game flow
- Story creation and visual design
- Debugging and testing gameplay systems
- Hands-on making and building skills
Confidence & Collaboration
- Problem-solving through iteration
- Cause-and-effect thinking
- Creative confidence and curiosity
- Sharing and explaining design choices
SKILLS GAINED
Why does this camp matter?
Journey to Dino World helps young learners connect coding, creativity, and engineering. By pairing ScratchJr game design with a mechanical build, your child learns that movement—on screen or in the real world—comes from thoughtful design and problem-solving. These early engineering experiences build confidence, curiosity, and a strong foundation for future STEM learning.