Ready for Takeoff One-Day Camp - February 3, 2027

Parents: In 1 day, each child learns the basics of safe, beginner-friendly drone flying through hands-on activities and guided practice. Scaffolded tasks introduce drone safety, simple controls, takeoff and landing, steering, and beginner flight challenges. Each session includes opportunities for older or more experienced students in grades 4–6 to take on added challenges.

Kids: Get ready to launch! You’ll learn how drones work, practice safe flying, and become a junior pilot. Take off, hover, turn, and fly through fun challenges as you build your skills. By the end of the day, you’ll complete a mini drone mission and show off your flying skills!

Project Model

Every student works with their own drone or a shared beginner drone during guided activities. Throughout the day, kids build confidence step by step—learning safety first, then basic controls, takeoff, landing, hovering, steering, and simple flight challenges. Helpers are welcome for encouragement, but each child practices and pilots on their own.

Daily Structure

4 ≈ ninety-minute sessions per day (S1–S4)
Individual practice with guided instruction and hands-on flight time
Differentiation built into each session

Ready for Takeoff — Safety, Controls, and First Flights

Outcomes: Learn basic drone safety, understand simple controls, practice takeoff and landing, hover with control, and complete beginner flying challenges.

S1 Drone Discovery + Safety
Activities: Meet the drone; learn the parts of a drone, basic rules, and safe flying habits. Practice how to use the controller and understand simple movements like up, down, turn, and stop.
Words: drone, propeller, controller, safety, takeoff, landing, hover.
Level Up (Grades 4–6): Learn how each control affects the drone’s movement and practice explaining the difference between lift, turning, and directional flight.

S2 First Flights
Activities: Practice gentle takeoff and landing with support. Try short hovering flights and controlled up-and-down movements.
Level Up (Grades 4–6): Hover steadily in one spot for a longer time and practice smoother, more controlled landings.

S3 Steering and Simple Missions
Activities: Learn how to move forward, backward, left, and right. Complete fun beginner challenges like flying to a landing spot or through a simple path.
Level Up (Grades 4–6): Fly a more precise path, add turns, or complete a longer challenge course with greater control.

S4 Pilot Challenge + Showcase
Activities: Put skills together in a mini drone mission. Kids complete a simple course or challenge and share what they learned. End with a short celebration of new pilot skills.
Reflection: What was easiest? What took practice?
Level Up (Grades 4–6): Complete an extended mission with extra targets, smoother turns, and more accurate landings.

Camp Essentials:

• Ages: 6 to 12 years old.
• Times:
  • Full-Day,8:30 AM–5:00 PM
  • AM, 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
• Location: 2171 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
• What to Bring: Water bottle, lunch, and one or two light snacks.
• Video gaming: Allowed with parent permission during Exploration Time
• Tech Provided: Computers and robotics kits (for in‑camp use only; equipment stays with us).
• Skill Level: Beginners welcome
• Dress Code: Comfortable clothes; indoor‑friendly shoes
• Contact: camps@yblueridgeboost.com • (434) 260‑0636
• Allergies/Medical: Share details during registration; bring any necessary meds
• Behavior & Safety: Kindness first; follow staff directions; internet safety rules apply