The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment (The MADE) in Oakland is hosting a "Game On" summer camp for ages 8-13 in August 2026, offering scholarships for OUSD students, despite significant financial challenges and a recent fundraising shortfall.

On the 900 block of Washington Street in Oakland, the Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment (The MADE) is preparing to host its "Game On" summer camp from August 3 to August 7, 2026. The week-long program aims to immerse young creators aged 8-13 in the fundamentals of video game design and interactive technology. Crucially, The MADE is offering scholarships for Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) students, a commitment that comes amid significant financial headwinds for the non-profit museum.

The "Game On" camp, located at 924 Telegraph Ave, guides participants through creative challenges and collaborative projects, exploring how games are designed, built, and brought to life. While the full-week tuition is $500, OUSD students are instructed to fill out a separate form for scholarship consideration instead of purchasing tickets directly, as noted on the camp's Eventbrite listing [1].

However, The MADE is navigating a challenging financial landscape. An article published on GamesBeat revealed the museum is seeking $500,000 in donations to secure its long-term sustainability, relying heavily on individual donors after losing major corporate sponsors [2]. Compounding this, a late-2024 fundraising campaign, "MADE for Oakland: Electric Roots," designed to create a need-based OUSD field trip fund, raised only $4,475 against a $20,000 goal by its December 15, 2024 close [3]. This shortfall raises questions about the capacity for scholarships, though The MADE continues to offer them.

Further, there is some ambiguity surrounding the museum's leadership; while Mason Young is quoted as the Executive Director regarding fundraising difficulties, other sources have referenced Mahalo P. P. Curtis and Shanna Tellerman in similar roles. Despite these internal complexities, the institution continues to offer valuable educational opportunities like the "Game On" camp and its free Saturday "MADE Classroom" sessions. The line for registration may not be literal, but for Oakland families seeking accessible tech education, The MADE's ongoing efforts represent a vital resource.