Fun With Bots After School and Camp Programs

Enrollment is now open for summer robotics camp and our community club programs!

If you are having trouble emailing us or completing the online registration for camp, please contact us directly by email at toppsoft@gmail.com or by phone at (813) 249-5522. Our hosting provider decided in the last few days to tighten up security on their servers and broke our email contact and registration forms. I will be extending the early bird pricing by a week so that no one misses out due to our technical difficulties.
 

Welcome!

Contact: Bill Shaw, bill@inanimatereason.com, 813-249-5522

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Summer Camp Program

Kids at all experience levels will have an opportunity to participate in robotics activities using LEGO^® MINDSTORMS^® robots. Beginners will start with the basics using tutorials to learn construction methods, programming and become familiar with the various components of the MINDSTORMS system. Once they have mastered the essential concepts, they'll discover increasingly sophisticated designs by building robots in a series of project-oriented tasks, each designed to improve their programming and engineering skills.

We organize the kids into small groups based on age and experience. Each group chooses the challenges they wish to pursue. They will engage in other related activities to build teamwork and allow them to interact outside of their immediate groups. At the end of each camp, we'll have an open house for the families so the kids can show off their creations and tell you all about what they learned.

Some of the challenges offered include Battlebots, The Great Ball Chase, challenges from previous competition seasons, zip line races, and City of The Future. We offer plenty of different challenges, so kids can attend camp more than once if they wish and not repeat the same activities. Robots, computers, and other camp materials are provided and remain the property of the camp and are not available to be taken home by the children.

Most camps have a limited number of spots open to students who have completed first and second grade. Boot camps are available to students ages 9 and up. Morning camps start at 9am and end at noon. Afternoon camps start at 1:30 and end at 4:30. All camps are Monday through Friday. Enrollment is by the week.

The cost is $160 per child per half day camp or $300 per full day camp. We limit the number of campers per session. We strongly encourage early registration to secure your spot!

Junior Robotics Program

Junior Robotics is a hands-on program designed to capture young children's inherent curiosity and direct it toward discovering and developing STEM skills. Students work with LEGO elements and moving parts to build ideas and concepts. Our junior program is open to students who have completed the first or second grade. Students will work with the WeDo robotics sets with basic MINDSTORMS and engineering challenges. We limit registration for the junior program within each camp to six students.

Camp Registration Process

The complete registration packet can be downloaded or you can download individual forms from the links located to the right (PDF Reader required). Forms can also be obtained by calling Coach Shaw at (813) 249-5522. Camps are filled on a first come, first served basis.

Each participant must have his or her own registration forms. In the event that the requested session(s) is full, we will offer to place your child on a waiting list and you will be notified when slots become available. Although we make every effort to place each child, there is no guarantee that your child will be placed in a slot if you are waitlisted. In the event we are unable to place your child into our camp program, your money is fully refundable.

For paper registration, please mail your forms and payment to the address on the registration (PO Box 3351, Apollo Beach, FL 33572). If you prefer to register and pay online, please proceed directly to our online registration system. Once you have pre-registered, you'll be presented a form where you can select your desired camp sessions and pay. You still need to bring a completed registration packet on the first day of camp. Registration is not complete and a spot has not been reserved until payment has been received.

Summer Camp Refund Policy. All refund requests must be made in writing. Requests received prior to March 31, 2012 will be honored less a $50 processing fee. Between April 1st and April 30, 2012, requests will be 50% refunded. After May 1st, 2012, fees are not refundible.

Camp Gift Certificates

Our Robotics Summer Camp Program makes a great gift! Order a gift certificate online and we'll send you a certificate by mail and invite that lucky kid to register for camp pre-paid! You choose whether to give them a half or full day and they get to select the dates that work best for their schedule. It couldn't be easier!

After you have purchased the gift certificate, we will follow up within 24 hours to find out how and where you want the gift certificate sent. You can also have us delay notification so that we don't spoil the surprise!

Choose Session

Half Day $160.00 USD Full Day (9-4:30) $300.00 USD

Camper's Name

Camper's Age

North and South Tampa Robotics Clubs

Our clubs are open to students ages 8 and up with an interest in furthering their knowledge of robotics and building teamwork and social skills. Our South Tampa Club is also now enrolling for a special Jr. FLL program just for students ages 6-9. We integrate a full range of STEM concepts into the program by undertaking projects of varying levels. We are currently working on ping pong ball launchers, Battlebots and the Senior Solutions FLL Robot Game.

Club membership is on a month-to-month basis. The North Tampa club meets at Messiah Lutheran Church in Carrollwood on Hutchison Road just north of Ehrlich. The South Tampa club begins meeting on September 5th at Bayshore Baptist Church on Morrison near MacDill Ave. Download the Complete Registration Packet to enroll. We also have online registration available.

About the Coach Coach Shaw has led FIRST® LEGO League Robotics teams in Florida for six years. He also runs an afternoon robotics program at a number of local schools. In 2010, he was recognized as the Florida Mentor of the Year for his work with FLL®. He believes that winning is fun but is secondary to ensuring that kids have a positive learning experience. He places as much emphasis on character building as he does on fostering technology skills.