Kids can attend summer robotics camps

This summer, Fox Valley Robotics/Batavia Robotics will be hosting a series of summer camps and programs for first- to 12th-graders to challenge the kids to use "Creativity Without Limits."

• Discover the world of Lego robotics at the Summer Robot Camp. Teams of first- to third-graders build and learn to program a robot by completing mini-missions. They put their new skills to work by programming their robot for all new missions. Two camps are being offered from 1:30 to 4 p.m. June 21-23 and 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 12-14.

• Delve into the limitless world of building with Lego bricks. The Lego eXplore camp is designed to challenge both the novice and the longtime builder with exciting daily build challenges. With hundreds of pounds of Legos and a team of master builders ready to encourage building to the next level, the possibilities are limitless. Newly designed ideas will take the simple Lego pieces and create exciting new creations that will have the kids saying "wow". Two camps are being offered from 9 to 11:30 a.m. June 21-23 and 1:30 to 4 p.m. July 12-14.

• The Summer Lego Program for fourth- to eighth-graders will make more complicated robots out of Lego pieces and take the programming to the next level. The kids will build and program competition worthy robots to perform detailed moves and then attempt to conquer the "table" in a series of predefined missions. The workshop will be offered on either Saturday, July 15, or Sunday, July 16, from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

• The Summer Metal Program for eighth- to 12th-graders allows the kids to create programs and driver controlled models to maneuver around a 12- by 12-foot playing field. Motors, sensors, controllers, steel pieces and a little ingenuity will determine how well the robots perform. The session will be held from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. July 29-30.

The goals of these programs are to have the kids think beyond the box, use unbounded creativity, and to have fun. The programs allow the kids to go beyond simple box instructions and to formulate the why and how on their own with guidance from instructors and mentors.

Besides the summer programs, Fox Valley Robotics offers season programs for first-third, fourth-eighth, and eighth-12th grades that start at the end of August.

Batavia Robotics has been around since 2002, and adopted the name Fox Valley Robotics in 2007. Since 2002, they have offered summer events for the kids in the area.

As a nonprofit, multi-community based organization, they are recognized by many schools and school districts in the area and provide kids throughout the year the ability to explore the world of robotics with a variety of programs.

For more information, visit www.foxvalleyrobotics.com or email to info@foxvalleyrobotics.com.