LEGO robot arm: Fun Bot Lab was has become the premier robotics camp in the greater Washington D.C. area. Photo Contributed
“I am learning a lot here. It’s like playing, but I know I am learning things too,” said Claire, 10, and Jake Varley, 11, of Annandale. This summer, Fun Bot Lab opened its second camp location in Annandale at Holy Spirit School and is now celebrating a week long visit from representatives of the LEGO Education group located in Billund, Denmark.
“Our camp’s mission is to show our young learners how everything is made, show them what is under the hood, and to really get them behind the scenes with the objects in their built environment. For the past seven years, LEGO Education products have been a perfect fit for our mission, and we couldn’t be more excited about this special visit from LEGO to see our camp in action,” says Timothy Burns, Founder and Chief Fun Bot.
Started at Sidwell Friends School seven years ago, Fun Bot Lab was created when Burns was asked to start a summer robotics program, evolving it to its present status as the premier robotics camp in the greater Washington D.C. area. Today it runs a full program from June 27 to Aug. 19 in two-week blocks. Campers attend 5-day and 10-day sessions from 9am to 3pm with options for before and after care.
Each camp session has an exciting theme and integrates LEGO Education products, Robotics, Filmmaking, and Coding into each day. The themes include Super Heroes, Star Wars, Elves vs. Ninjas, and Dragons vs. Robots. The engaging curriculum keeps kids engaged with purpose. At the end of each session there are challenges to rise to, and goals to be met. Popular camp activities include robot races, making films, battling robots, maze challenges, and water days, where campers get to slide on a huge inflatable water slide.
Clearly, there is a great deal like about the camp and the campers have a lot to say: “I love filming and animating my characters,” said Alex Simpson, 10, of Annandale. “I like getting my robot to go really far, really fast,” says Claire Varley. “Also I want to be an engineer when I grow up.” “I think the Counselors are really nice,” says Noah Limbago, 9.
Parents and children are invited to visit Fun Bot Lab’s open house on Aug. 18 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Luke School, 7005 Georgetown Pike 22101 Visit www.funbotlab.com for more information and be on the lookout for more camps and programs from Fun Bot Lab.