Welcome to GAME ON! — a FREE exciting afterschool makerspace program for middle school students!

In this hands-on, creative program, students will work in teams to design and build their very own board games from the ground up. Starting with brainstorming and game mechanics, students will create prototype game boards using cardboard before bringing their ideas to life with real makerspace tools.

As the program progresses, students will laser engrave custom wooden game boards, design and 3D print their own game pieces, and collaborate with peers to playtest each other’s games. They’ll refine rules, write clear game instructions, and learn the importance of teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking. To wrap it all up, students will brand their creations by designing packaging for their game boards and pieces—just like real game designers!

At the end of the 8-week program, families are invited to a special GAME NIGHT, where parents and guardians can come see (and play!) the games their students worked so hard to create.

Transportation is provided immediately after school to the Community Education Center (CEC) in St. Marys for students from Ridgway, Johnsonburg, Elk County Catholic, St. Marys Area, and Cameron County School Districts.

Ridgway, Johnsonburg, and Cameron County transportation is round-trip unless arranged otherwise. Students will be picked up at their respective schools at dismissal time. For their return, students will depart the CEC at 5:30pm.
St. Marys & ECC students will be picked up at the CEC building promptly at 5:30 PM. (If any ECC student lives in Ridgway or Johnsonburg, they may take the bus back to those towns. Please be sure to note this in your registration.)

Program Schedule:
📅 Tuesdays & Thursdays
🗓 February 10 – April 2
⏰ 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Pick ups are expected promptly at this time from the CEC or immediately following at the designated drop off locations in Johnsonburg, Ridgway and Cameron County.)

This high-energy program blends creativity, technology, collaboration, and fun—perfect for middle schoolers who love to imagine, design, and build!

**PLEASE BE SURE TO COMPLETE THE FORMS BELOW USING THE TWO LINKS. THESE FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO SAM NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 3,2026. Please use this email to submit forms. sam@communityedcenter.com

https://communityedcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Youth-Programs-Participation-Consent.pdf

https://communityedcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Youth-Programs-Consent-for-Treatment.pdf

(Failure to complete the forms in advanced will result in being disqualified in participation from the program.)

*FREE* BOARD GAME MAKING FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS

FREE BOARD GAME MAKING FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS