The NSLC on Game Design combines hands-on academic exploration with professional insight and leadership development, offering a comprehensive pre-college experience on a university campus.
The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) on Game Design offers high school students an immersive pre-college experience at Duke University. Participants delve into the creative and technical aspects of video game development through hands-on workshops. Students learn to build original game concepts, experimenting with storytelling, mechanics, and environmental design. The curriculum covers fundamentals of game design, including creating 2D platformers and 3D worlds using industry-standard game engines. Through iterative playtesting and feedback, students refine gameplay and understand the balance between creativity, logic, and player experience. The program also incorporates visual art, system design, and coding workshops. Beyond technical skills, students develop leadership abilities through dedicated workshops focusing on personality styles, communication, resilience, and empathy. The program includes interactions with guest speakers from the game industry and behind-the-scenes trips and tours to relevant studios. This residential program provides a comprehensive exploration of game design careers while offering a taste of college life.
Days are long and active, typically lasting from 9:00 AM–10:00 PM, with commuter students checking in between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM and checking out between 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM.
This program is ideal for high school students interested in exploring careers in game design, building video games, and developing leadership skills.
Duke University, Durham, NC
Raleigh STEM Summer Camps is a free directory service that aggregates publicly available information about STEM programs, summer camps, and educational opportunities. We do not operate, sponsor, endorse, accredit, certify, or have any affiliation with the camps and programs listed here unless explicitly stated.
All program details — including pricing, session dates, instructor credentials, curriculum, safety policies, refund terms, transportation, meal arrangements, and admission requirements — are sourced from publicly available information and may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Listings are partially generated and updated using automated AI-assisted research, which can occasionally produce inaccurate details. Parents and guardians are solely responsible for independently verifying every detail directly with the camp before enrolling, paying, or relying on any information shown here.
We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the accuracy, completeness, suitability, safety, quality, availability, or fitness for any particular purpose of any camp, program, or information shown on this site. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim all liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages of any kind — including but not limited to financial loss, missed sessions, refund disputes, injury, child safety incidents, transportation issues, dissatisfaction with educational outcomes, or any other harm — arising from your use of this directory or your decision to enroll a child in any listed program. Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of these terms.
If you are a camp operator and notice any inaccurate information about your program, please contact us and we will review and update it. By submitting an inquiry via this site, you consent to the camp contacting you with information about their program.
