Robotics Camp

Robotics Day Camp utilizes robotics to explore the realms of science, technology, engineering, and math. Working with LEGO®, VEX™ GO, and VEX™ IQ platforms, campers design, build, and program robots to meet technical challenges and participate in competitions.

About the Camps

(coed, entering grades 1-7 in Fall 2054)

General Information
Cranbrook Schools robotics program during the academic year regularly advances its VEX IQ, VEX, RoboFest, and WRO™ teams to state- and world-level championships. As an extension of our long history of superior robotics achievements, Robotics Day Camp offers LEGO® and VEX IQ programs staffed by members of our Schools' team coaches who help campers build robots to compete in the official league tournaments.

Important Note: Campers must have a genuine interest in robotics to enjoy this camp although no prior experience with building or coding is expected or required. Instructors will begin with the fundamentals of building or coding at the start of each new week. Campers who choose to attend a 2nd or 3rd consecutive week of camp will be permitted to keep their robots intact from the previous week(s) and will be grouped with other multi-week campers. These 2nd and 3rd week campers will engage in more structured goal-oriented robotics activities involving obstacle courses and timed-task challenges.

Robotics Materials: Vex robotics and LEGO® robotics kits are used at camp. Campers are not permitted to take their robots home at the end of the week, however, links to the websites will be provided in the weekly newsletters for each of the robot kits used in camp so that families can purchase kits on their own. Campers are not permitted to bring robots or materials from home.

A Day in the Life
Campers spend the majority of their day working at their own pace exploring the many aspects of the exciting world of STEM. There are many opportunities for engagement with other campers working in small groups or side-by-side as they explore building and coding. Robotics instructors are typically high school and college-age experienced robotics team participants themselves and are eager to pass along their passion for robotics to our campers.

Basic Daily Schedule

Arrival
Work on Robots
Morning Snack & Active Outdoor Games
Work on Robots
Lunch & Special Activity
Work on Robots
Afternoon Snack & Active Outdoor Games
Work on Robots
Dismissal

Activities
Activities may include a visit to the Institute of Science, exploration around campus, swimming, and outdoor games.

Ages and Groups
Robotics Day Camp offers sessions in LEGO® and VEX IQ.

Grade 1: LEGO® WeDo 2.0
Grade 2: LEGO® BOOST
Grades 3-4: VEX™ GO
Grades 5-7: VEX™ IQ

LEGO® WeDo 2.0
This program introduces campers to the basics of robotics using fun LEGO® creations. Campers use iPads and visual block programming to make use of sensors and motors on their WeDo robots.

LEGO® BOOST

This program allows campers to build and code interactive robots using iPads and visual block programming. Sensors and unique mechanical features allow campers to bring these creations to life with mood reflecting facial expressions and communicative gestures. These life-like robot models can also be designed to grip and carry objects. Working in teams of two, campers are given guidance and instruction for sound building practices involving balance and function as they design their own unique interactive creations.

VEX™ GO
This platform was introduced in the Fall of 2021 as a classroom-based challenge designed to teach STEM concepts in a unique and creative way. Working in teams of two, campers build an environment for their robot as well as the robot itself. Robots are built and coded to complete tasks on a playing field. Both the tasks and the playing field elements can be manipulated in countless ways to provide the ultimate self-directed learning opportunity. Instructors guide campers through STEM lab activities to both challenge their thinking skills and promote confidence in their problem-solving abilities. Mini-tournaments are set up at the end of each week for campers who want to engage in some friendly competition.

VEX™ IQ
This platform is designed to be simple and easy for campers new to robotics, yet flexible and powerful to allow for a wide range of exploration in all aspects of STEM. Structural pieces snap together and come apart without tools allowing for quick build times and easy modifications. A variety of gears, wheels and other assemblies allow for complete mechanical customization of VEX IQ robots. The platform is compatible with a variety of programming options like Python, RobotC, and visual block programming (e.g. ModKit). Staff guide campers to begin building robots capable of competing in academic-year VEX IQ competitions. Any robotics experience is an asset, but no prior VEX IQ experience is necessary.

Robotics Show & Tell
Every Friday at 2:30 PM, parents/guardians are encouraged to attend the Robotics Show & Tell where campers will present and demonstrate their robots (grades 1-4) and participate in mini-competitions (grades 5-7). Look for more information in the weekly newsletters.

Lunch, Snacks, and Allergies
Lunches and snacks are included in tuition and are provided by Chartwells Dining Services. They are a nut-free organization that caters to Cranbrook Schools during the academic year. Special arrangements can be made for campers with food allergies.

Open Swim

Campers swim at Cranbrook's Williams Natatorium. Swim tests are conducted on the first day. Campers who fail or prefer not to take the test are supplied with life jackets and remain in the shallow end of the pool. Campers are allowed to retake the test at any time. The Natatorium staff includes a full-time and certified pool manager, certified lifeguards, and our trained camp staff who serve as lookouts.

Available Options
The following options can be combined to meet your needs. For example, you can choose morning Transportation Service and afternoon Extended Care. Logistical information for these additional options are provided in the Parent Welcome Packet emailed to registrants closer to the start of camp.

Extended Care
Extended Care is available beginning at 7 AM and ending at 6 PM. Afternoon care includes a snack. Campers enjoy activities, games, and open time outside and in the gym. Extended Care is located at Cranbrook Lower School Brookside. Campers are bused to/from camp each day. Extended Care is also a nice option for families with multiple children attending more than one of our camps to reduce the number of pick up points; parents/guardians simply pick up and drop off all children attending Extended Care at Brookside.

Transportation Service
Transportation Service is available to shuttle campers to and from specific stops in Birmingham, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, and Troy. Times and locations are subject to change. Campers who are not picked up in time will be transported to Extended Care.

After Camp Activities
After Camp Activities include Chess and Coding. Space is limited. These activities are located at Cranbrook Lower School Brookside. Campers are bused from camp each day. Pick-up is at Brookside.

Communication & Photos
Parents/guardians are emailed a newsletter each week that includes a recap from the prior week, highlights for the following week, and updated group lists. Daily camp photos are posted on a secure website for you to see each day. Enhanced options include saving favorite photos, facial recognition with push notifications when a photo of your child is uploaded, posting to social media, emailing a photo to family, customizing photo gifts, and ordering high-resolution digital downloads or prints.

Why Cranbrook Schools Summer Camps?

Cranbrook Educational Community, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is one of the world’s leading centers of education, science, and art. Comprising a graduate Academy of Art, contemporary Art Museum, House and Gardens, Institute of Science, and PreK-12 independent college preparatory Schools, Cranbrook welcomes thousands of visitors, students, and campers to its campus each year.

Founded by Detroit philanthropists George and Ellen Booth in 1904, Cranbrook’s 319-acre campus features the work of world-renowned architects such as Eliel Saarinen, Albert Kahn, Steven Holl, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, Rafael Moneo, Peter Rose and sculptors Carl Milles, Marshall Fredericks and others. Critics have called Cranbrook "the most enchanted and enchanting setting in America" and in 1989, it was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Cranbrook Schools Summer Camps operate under Cranbrook Schools in a dedicated department named Special and Summer Programs. This year-round department focuses solely on summer camps, after-school programs, school rentals, and the school store. The dedicated full-time staff in the department spend the entire year preparing for camp. During the summer, over 1,800 campers from 20 states and nine countries come to Cranbrook for their summer experience. The campus, its facilities, the highly skilled and committed service departments such as Cranbrook's 24/7 security department, and all of Cranbrook's employees, residential faculty, and guests create a wonderful environment for children to learn and have fun.

Each camp includes a dedicated Director, Assistant Director, Office Administrator, Instructors, and Counselors. Each age-aligned group has one or two counselors who remain with their campers throughout the day and take them to each of the instructional areas. The camps are accredited by the American Camp Association and licensed through the State of Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential.

Questions? Contact Special and Summer Programs at summer@cranbrook.edu, (248) 645-3674, or use our Contact Us form.

LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site or program.

VEX™ and VEX™ Robotics are trademarks or service marks of VEX Robotics, Inc., a subsidiary of Innovation First International, Inc.