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Description
Find your cabin assignment, wring out your swimsuit, and relive the days of canoeing, friendship bracelets, and s'mores with Summer Camp, a competitive deck-building game in which players race to earn merit badges and collect the most experience points to win. Each player has their own deck of cards to play, and as the game progresses you add new cards to your deck to make it even stronger.
Summer Camp differs each playing as the game includes seven different merit badge decks along with the base deck: adventure, arts & crafts, cooking, friendship, games, outdoors, and water sports. Each game uses three merit badge decks that can be mixed and matched for unique gameplay scenarios.
To win, players must earn the most camp experience points, points that are gained by claiming merit badges, advancing your pawns along the merit paths, and buying cards. Devise your strategy, build the best card combinations to outplay your opponents, and rule the summer as the ultimate camper!
Year Published
2021
Featured Videos
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 8
This page: 8
Sentiment:
pos 8 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–8 of 8
Video wlXbqp4F37k
Allies or Enemies top_10_list at 0:49 sentiment: positive
video_pk 61141 · mention_pk 153647
Click to watch at 0:49 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- lightweight and accessible
- strong summer vibes
- emergent chaos with multiple players
Cons
- small deck variability may feel repetitive over time
Thematic elements
- summer activities, camp life, friendship
- summer camp environment with outdoor activities
- Array
- positive
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a light drafting racing game but it definitely has some summer vibes
- it's six different little mini timers
- it's bright and it's colorful and you are trying to defend the islands from oncoming monsters
- Banner Festival is a really interesting trick taking game
- it's all based on slasher movies
- the Heat is in the title
- Fireball Island ... the Curse of Volcar
- you flick marbles
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video zKdt1A-yF8E
Unknown game_review at 0:28 sentiment: positive
video_pk 30207 · mention_pk 88799
Click to watch at 0:28 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Modular activity decks create high replayability for a lighter game experience.
- Smooth, easygoing gameplay loop: play cards, move campers, buy new cards, repeat.
- Accessible and beginner-friendly; an excellent entry point into deck-building games.
- No dead cards within the deck—lights-out cards can still generate energy, keeping cycles flowing.
- Clean, charming design with a thematic focus on camp nostalgia and movement/collection mechanics.
Cons
- Some redundancy across decks can lead to repetitive feel (stars/space increments feel similar across cards).
- Not very deep; does not scratch the itch for tense decisions or high-complexity engines.
- Expansion potential is hinted at but not included; without addons, the game's variety may plateau for some players.
Thematic elements
- Nostalgia for summer camp, friendly competition, merit badges, and social play.
- A camp environment where campers participate in various activities across multiple tracks during a summer session.
- Light-hearted, accessible, family-friendly with a casual camping atmosphere.
Comparison games
- The Quest for Elderorado
- Parks
- Dominion
- Teo
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action economy — On each turn a card can be played either for its energy value or for its printed action, which may include drawing cards, gaining energy, or affecting opponents.
- Deck building — Players start with a basic deck and acquire new cards from a face-up display to strengthen their deck and enable more powerful actions.
- deck-building — Players start with a basic deck and acquire new cards from a face-up display to strengthen their deck and enable more powerful actions.
- Resource management — Energy is the primary currency used to buy cards; snack tokens can be spent to gain energy, reflecting a snack-driven camp culture.
- Resource management (energy and snacks) — Energy is the primary currency used to buy cards; snack tokens can be spent to gain energy, reflecting a snack-driven camp culture.
- Track advancement — Three activity tracks determine camper progression; moving pieces advances toward participation badges and end-game triggering conditions.
- Track-based progression — Three activity tracks determine camper progression; moving pieces advances toward participation badges and end-game triggering conditions.
- Variable deck composition — Players choose three of seven activity decks at setup, which shapes powers, artwork, and flavor, driving replayability and variety.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The modular variety. The activity decks give this game way more replayability than you'd expect out of a game that's a bit lighter.
- It's just got a smooth, easygoing gameplay loop. Play cards, move campers, buy new cards.
- This is a great entry-level deck builder. If someone's never played heavier deck building games, Summer Camp is a fantastic introduction to the concept.
- It's clean, it's charming, and it's smartly designed.
- Summer Camp isn't some grand strategy game, but it's not trying to be that. It's clean, it's charming, and it's smartly designed.
- It's a great experience that's perfect for families, casual gamers, or anyone looking for a lighter night at the table.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video xBf8-htmQeM
One Family Plays Games playthrough at 25:40 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12441 · mention_pk 36318
Click to watch at 25:40 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- gateway game to card drafting
- great for families with young children (8-10 years old)
- funny card descriptions
- quick game length
- high replayability due to 7 activities with 3 used each game
- good for casual play
Cons
- flimsy card quality
- may need sleeving
Thematic elements
- summer camp activities
- family fun
- racing
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
No quotes stored for this video.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video s64uEqU7OBw
Our Family Plays Games (OFPG) gateway_games_roundup at 12:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11220 · mention_pk 33005
Click to watch at 12:30 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- simple game
- lots of strategy
- teaches deck building
- really fun
- good for gateway purposes
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- summer
- racing
- childhood
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I think I would wait yeah September maybe a little bit after September because I know people gonna rush in there and get everything
- gateways don't grow old for me no they don't I like Gateway games I like simple games sometimes
- I can just go on and do other games so I love the Gateway Games
- we don't need no more bad boys you know they gonna come
- if this is your mindset that I'm gonna come to these big conventions and take things no no we don't need no more bad boys
- I have Discerning tastes
- we are advertising Buffalo but they're doing it right
- I was blown away by it
- It's a Wonderful game it is a wonderful game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 8oJT0pFAml0
One Family Plays Games (OFPG) top_10_list at 36:07 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10382 · mention_pk 30584
Click to watch at 36:07 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Fun game
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Camp experiences and memories
- Summer camp
- Light social
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- do those things that's going to keep us safe yeah so that we don't get overcome again
- the games from 2021 that we loved and we picked our top 10 games from that
- board games that bring the fun to the table
- i used to read yes you did when we first got married i would read yes i loved uh books
- i can do so much more yeah with board gaming than with golf
- they want to be known as the steam platform for board gaming
- embracer is becoming that you know so big that they're gonna be so diversified for geek culture
- we want to be that one-stop shop where if you're looking for people of color you want to hear what they have to say
- diversity inclusion that's what we're shooting for
- it's a beautiful game and you know the market you know because you gotta always look at the market
- i ain't mad at you
- the dice ain't nice
- we love you guys we we we're just glad you're still with us and keep on coming back
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video rk8MJ1o7Te4
Mind I Suggest a Game top_10_list at 7:35 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9285 · mention_pk 27406
Click to watch at 7:35 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- high thematic integration
- great replayability through multiple skill combinations
- engaging for casual and family play
Cons
- thematic context may not click for non-summer-camp fans
- requires tacit collaboration in some decisions
Thematic elements
- camp culture, skill progress, friendship and outdoor activities
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — Choose cards to shape your strategic path toward earning merit badges.
- deck-building — Draft skill cards to improve your base deck and advance along a merit track.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The crew packs in so much depth in such a small package that I really can't recommend it highly enough the bang for the buck is just astronomical.
- Summer Camp has a really high replayability right out of the box and seven different skills that you can earn merit badges for.
- If you're looking for a nice entry-level deck builder with an awesome theme that'll make you want to make a bonfire and roast some s'mores ASAP.
- Red Rising is a card drafting hand management game for one to six players that plays in about 45 minutes to an hour and is based off the dystopian novel series by Pierce Brown.
- The rules of this game are super simple and you can usually get into playing in about 15 minutes or less.
- Azul is a really great game from Plan B Games, tile placement kind of abstract, with beautiful little tiles that look like starbursts.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 1WM9qMtE_BU
Our Family Plays Games top_10_list at 12:34 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3912 · mention_pk 11452
Click to watch at 12:34 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Phil Walker-Harding design
- Gateway for modern gaming
- Affordable from Target
- Many deck options
Cons
- Hard to find in Target now
Thematic elements
- Earning merit badges and racing
- Summer camp
- Nostalgic adventure
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Deck building — Build deck of cards
- racing — Race along path
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Once we discovered how to really play Azul we started playing 8 times
- If someone ask me to give a favorite I have to give you a list
- It all depends on if you're learning the game the right way
- Fossilis is truly underrated
- This is Phil Walker-Harding y'all you know one of the 3,000 games he made in like one day
- We want the whole family we want them all
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video T1fZ-fq8Rck
Our Family Plays Games general_discussion at 6:59 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2053 · mention_pk 5894
Click to watch at 6:59 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Casual and accessible
- family-friendly
Cons
- May lack deep strategy
Thematic elements
- outdoor activities and teamwork
- summer camp adventures
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice or action selection — uses action cards to perform activities
- set collection — collect actions/cards for points
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the gateway is open up and we're welcoming new players
- we've gotta spread the gospel
- be that opening to something new and wonderful
- gatekeepers into the hobby
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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Showing 1–8 of 8