Camp Cargo Connect: LEGO Delivery Designers

Camp Cargo Connect: LEGO Delivery Designers

Camp Cargo Connect is an engaging, hands-on summer camp where kids dive into the engineering behind transportation and logistics. Using LEGO Education SPIKE Essential kits or WeDo 2.0, campers build and code working delivery robots—complete with motors, sensors, and simple programs—to explore how cargo moves around the world and to prototype faster, safer, and more sustainable solutions.

What Campers Will Do

• Discover the science of delivery: Investigate how trucks, trains, ships, planes, and drones move goods, then test ideas with LEGO SPIKE models—like conveyor belts, forklift arms, container loaders, and simple sorters using color and distance sensors.
• Brainstorm and design solutions: Apply the engineering design process (imagine, plan, build, test, improve) to re‑think routes, hubs, and last‑mile delivery. Optimize for efficiency, accessibility, safety, and energy use—then validate changes with measurable robot tests.
• Build and program a working LEGO robot: Team up to design a motorized SPIKE robot that demonstrates a delivery innovation (e.g., a pickup‑and‑place arm or an automated gate). Code with SPIKE app blocks to:
  • Drive motors precisely with set speed/rotations
  • Read sensors (color, force, distance) for decisions
  • Use loops, waits, events, and simple variables
  • Create reusable My Blocks for actions like “pick,” “sort,” and “deliver”
  WeDo 2.0 may be used for age‑appropriate builds and introductory coding.
• Create a visual project board: Document the engineering work—problem statement, sketches, iterations, test data, and final robot features—and share progress informally at week’s end.

Why Kids Love It

• Daily robotics builds: Construct mechanisms with LEGO beams and gears; connect motors and sensors; code behaviors in the SPIKE app.
• Real‑world problem‑solving: Model warehouse lines, port cranes, and last‑mile bots; test trade‑offs like speed vs. accuracy and load vs. battery life.
• STEM skills that stick: Practice engineering design, mechanical basics (gearing, linkages), and coding fundamentals (events, loops, sensor logic).
• Teamwork and confidence: Collaborate on prototypes, run tests, interpret results, and explain design choices.

Who Should Attend

Great for kids who love LEGO, robots, and figuring out how things move. Whether they’re budding engineers, designers, or inventors, they’ll leave with practical robotics skills and fresh ideas for smarter delivery systems.

Camp Essentials

• Ages: 6 to 7 years old.
• Dates: Monday, 6/8/2026 to Friday, 6/12/2026
• Times:
  • Full‑Day, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
  • AM, 8:30 AM–1:00 PM
  • PM, 12:30 PM–5:00 PM
• Location: 2171 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
• What to Bring: Water bottle, lunch, and one or two light snacks.
• Video gaming: Not allowed
• Tech Provided: Computers and LEGO Education robotics kits (for in‑camp use only; equipment stays with us).
• Skill Level: Beginners welcome; no prior coding experience required.
• Dress Code: Comfortable clothes; indoor‑friendly shoes.
• Contact: camps@blueridgeboost.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.