Animation Academy
2026 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
If you’re interested in making the most out of your summer, register soon. Space is limited!
REGISTER NOWBring your ideas to life.
At the Animation Academy at Champlain College, you won’t just watch animation tutorials or sketch on the sidelines. You’ll create. In two weeks, you’ll work with the same professional tools used in major studios, guided by animators who’ve made this their life’s work.
Want to animate a character? Build a world? Tell a story that moves? You’ll do it here—hands-on, from day one.
Our Animation Academy Immersive Experience throws you straight into the creative process. Experiment with different techniques. Test your ideas. See what happens when you push your creativity, bend timelines, and discover which corner of the animation world calls to you.
This is your chance to discover that animation is your calling. Through hands-on experience, you’ll get a taste of what makes the Champlain College Animation program so special.
During the Animation Academy Immersive Experience you will:
- Create 2-D animations with Toon Boom Harmony
- Bring characters to life in 3-D using Autodesk Maya
- Sculpt and design characters with ZBrush
- Develop character concepts and art in Photoshop
- Create visual effects and compositing with Adobe After Effects
- Explore stop-motion techniques, including pixilation
- Discover career pathways and opportunities in the animation industry
Here’s what you’ll walk away with:
- Original work for your portfolio—pieces you actually created, not just followed instructions to make
- Hands-on experience with the same professional tools working animators use daily
- Real insight into animation careers in film, TV, and gaming
- Skills and knowledge that matter, whether you’re applying to art programs, exploring creative careers, or discovering what you’re capable of
This isn’t a typical summer program. It’s immersive, project-based, and built around creating, not watching. You’ll experiment, make mistakes, try again, and surprise yourself—and have a blast doing it.
This program is designed for:
- Students entering grades 10–12 and recent high school graduates
- Students who are considering studying animation in college and would like hands-on experience with industry-standard animation software
- Students looking to create animations for their portfolio
- Students who want to explore career pathways in this evolving field
Pre-College Summer Program Details
Animation Academy
Residential
Enter code EARLYBIRD26 at the bottom of the registration form. Code expires 1/5/2026 at 5:00 PM.
Why You’ll Love the Animation Academy
Get a Jump Start on College Education
Experiment with the fundamentals of 2-D and 3-D animations
Work with industry-standard tools, including Toon Boom, Maya, ZBrush, Photoshop, and After Effects
Try different animation techniques, from character design to stop-motion to visual effects
Experience what studying animation at the college level actually looks like
Create original work you can add to your portfolio
Discover which areas of animation excite you most
Build skills and confidence through hands-on project creation
Explore the beautiful city of Burlington, Vermont
HAVE FUN!
Learn From the Best
In this pre-college summer program, animation will be taught by Champlain College faculty, all of whom have significant industry expertise and extensive professional connections.
Make New Friends
Program attendees will have a lot in common with their fellow students. By working together in the classroom, living together in the residence halls, and enjoying extracurricular activities, students form friendships that last far beyond the length of the Academy.
Experience World-Class Academics
In an ever-changing world, Champlain College is renowned for preparing future leaders in the most sought-after career fields and professions that today’s students are most passionate about. Explore our facilities, learn from our industry-expert faculty, and enjoy our beautiful campus.
Sample Daily Schedule
The daily program will include morning and afternoon instruction, and a combination of instruction and recreational activities in the evenings. We’ll work right through the weekend to take full advantage of the time we have together!
| 8:00–9:00 AM | Breakfast and Morning Meeting |
| 9:00 AM–12:00 PM | Animation Lab I |
| 12:00–2:00 PM | Lunch and Recreation |
| 2:00–5:00 PM | Animation Lab II |
| 5:00–10:00 PM | Dinner and Evening Lab or Recreation Activity |
| 11:00 PM | Lights Out |
Experience College Before College
More in Student Life
I had a great time, made lots of new friends, learned a lot, developed a bunch of new skills, and found out some skills I didn’t know I already had.
Learn More About Pre-College Summer Programs at Champlain College
Fill out the form below to receive additional information about our programs through our mailing list. If you have any questions, contact us at precollege@champlain.edu or include them in your form submission, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
