A Week of Pixels, Play & Possibility: Minecraft Camp Wrapped Up

A Week of Pixels, Play & Possibility: Minecraft Camp Wrap-Up

School holidays at The Array always have a buzz about them, but this April's Minecraft Camp felt truly special. Over five lively days, our Learning Dojo transformed into a vibrant, collaborative Minecraft world—highlighting how screen time can spark creativity, teamwork and practical skills far beyond simply gaming.

Day 1 – Surviving the Heat Wave We kicked off with an engaging session about the Top End’s climate challenges. Campers then dove into our Heat Wave Build Challenge, crafting shaded shelters, engineering water-saving redstone gadgets, and exploring why passive cooling is just as important in Darwin as it is in Minecraft.

Day 2 – Moats, Mechanics & Defending the Village Tuesday brought strategic building sessions, teaching campers the essentials of solid foundations, chokepoints, and teamwork. By the afternoon, villages were fortified with moats and clever traps, successfully defending against virtual mobs—and even a few friendly intruders!

Day 3 – Biodiversity Biomes Mid-week, we swapped swords for science, learning about local ecosystems before campers coded their own biomes. From lush wetlands to arid mesas, the group programmed behaviours for wildlife, discovering firsthand how biodiversity sustains thriving systems.

Day 4 – Redstone Rally Thursday showcased "STEM in action" through redstone circuitry. Campers built secret doors, piston bridges, and even created a uniquely named bacon-powered "BBQ alarm." Watching the moment campers grasped logic gates was definitely a highlight for our tutors.

Day 5 – Showcase & Celebrations We wrapped up the week with a community showcase, inviting parents and carers to tour villages complete with working railways, sustainable farms, and delightful pixel art—including plenty of crocodiles. Proud smiles and excitement filled the room as certificates and Easter-egg prizes were awarded.

The Best Feedback of All? They Came Back for More We offered day passes for families to trial the experience, and several campers enjoyed their first day so much that they re-enrolled on the spot to complete the entire week. When young people willingly choose extra learning during their holidays, we know we've got something special!

Thank You, Community Huge thanks to the parents who trusted us, mentors who patiently guided the campers, and most importantly, to the campers themselves for their boundless enthusiasm. You’ve all contributed to nurturing the Territory's next generation of digital creators.

If your young gamer missed out this time, don't worry! Our Term 2 programmes, including Code Club and our next Minecraft Camp, are already lined up. Keep an eye on our social media channels or drop by the Learning Dojo for a chat.

We can't wait to welcome you back to the block-world soon—where every pixel sparks new possibilities.

Written in Darwin under the warm Territory sun, fuelled by flat whites and inspired by the occasional hiss of distant Creepers.