Name: Indi Park Rangers-7/20/2026 - 7/24/2026 | Ages 6-7 | Blue Ridge Boost
SKU: SUMMER26-INDIRANGERS-26
Price: 509.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Indi Park Rangers

indi Park Rangers: Outdoor Adventures

Parents & Coaches: A hands-on, screen-optional robotics camp inspired by the Sphero Global Challenge Season 6: Outdoor Adventures. Using Sphero indi and color tiles, young learners explore real and imagined national parks while building problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, and pattern recognition. No prior coding experience needed.

Kids: Be a park ranger! Use color roads to guide indi past rivers and bridges, stop for animals, and complete missions. Try, test, and try again—going #BeyondCode with creativity and teamwork.

What This Connects To

Sphero Global Challenge alignment: “indi: Park Rangers” track for Early Elementary. Teams of 1–5 guided by an educator, parent, or STEM enthusiast.
Core skills: Problem solving, algorithmic thinking, basic coding concepts, pattern recognition, collaboration, and reflective thinking.
Mindset: Safe-space risk-taking—learn from attempts, iterate designs, and celebrate progress.

Materials

1 Sphero indi Student Kit per group
indi color tiles, cones, and mats (from kit)
Craft supplies for building park features (cardboard, tape, markers; Sphero Craft Pack optional)
Optional: Sphero Edu Jr app and a compatible device (iOS/Android) for expanded behaviors
Optional: Video device to record missions for remote submissions

Daily Structure

4 one-hour sessions per day (S1–S4)
Mini-demos, build/test cycles, and short “ranger briefings”
Choice boards with “Try First” and “Level Up” challenges
Roles rotate to mirror Global Challenge teams: Programmer (tile planner), Engineer (course builder), Debugger (tester), Designer (theme/art), Mission Manager (time/checklist)

Day 1: Meet indi the Park Ranger — Colors = Code

Focus: Understand indi’s color commands and simple sequences.

S1 Ranger Briefing: Introduce indi and color tiles (green = go, red = stop, etc.). Practice 3–4 tile sequences.
S2 First Trail: Build a short “trailhead to campsite” route with 6–8 tiles.
S3 Debug & Fix: If indi misses a turn, adjust spacing, tile order, and alignment.
S4 Share: Show your favorite sequence and explain how one color changed indi’s behavior.

Level Up:

Add a safe stop at a “wildlife crossing.”
Include one gentle curve using angled tile placement.
Record a 10–15 second mission clip.

Day 2: Rivers, Bridges, and Detours — Algorithmic Thinking

Focus: Plan multi-step routes with clear objectives and constraints.

S1 Map the Park: Place craft “river” strips and “bridges.” Mark a start and end point.
S2 Plan the Algorithm: On a mini-map, draw tile colors in order before building.
S3 Build & Test: Construct the route, run, and refine based on observations.
S4 Strategy Share: What was the most helpful clue (tile color, spacing, angle)?

Level Up:

Add a “camp supply pickup” stop and resume.
Create an alternate path if the bridge is “closed.”
Time-trial your route and try to improve consistency.

Day 3: Ranger Missions — Patterns and Waypoints

Focus: Pattern recognition and reusable tile “phrases.”

S1 Pattern Warm-Up: Use a repeating tile pattern to travel between two waypoints.
S2 Supply Run: Visit two stations in order (A → B → Base) using a repeating turn pattern.
S3 Debug Lab: Identify where the pattern breaks; adjust spacing/angles.
S4 Gallery Walk: Compare two teams’ patterns that achieve the same goal.

Level Up:

Design a 2-part pattern (e.g., turn-turn-go-go) and label it on your map.
Add a pause for “animal viewing” with a stop tile.
Record a voiceover explaining your pattern.

Day 4: Build Your Park — Design, Theme, and Collaboration

Focus: Create a small park world with features, signage, and a story.

S1 World Design: Sketch a mini-park with trails, a picnic area, and a landmark.
S2 Construct & Decorate: Use craft supplies to build features and place tiles neatly.
S3 Test as a Team: Rotate roles; Mission Manager runs a checklist and logs fixes.
S4 Kid-Friendly Docs: Make a simple “Ranger Map” showing tile colors and checkpoints.

Level Up:

Include a detour route when a “trail is muddy.”
Add a gentle climb/descent theme using visuals and timing.
Create trail signs with icons for non-readers.

Day 5: indi Ranger Challenge — Showcase & Submit

Focus: Present a complete mission aligned with the Sphero Global Challenge “indi: Park Rangers” prompt.

S1 Final Tuning: Smooth tile placement, confirm start/end zones, and run 3 clean trials.
S2 Record: Capture a short video showing your map, route, and a full run.
S3 Present: 1-minute talk: mission goal, tricky part, and what you changed after testing.
S4 Celebrate & Next Steps: Package your map photo, short description, and video—practice what a remote submission could look like.

Level Up:

Add a second objective (e.g., “deliver supplies,” then “return to ranger station”).
Create a simple rules card so others can replay your mission.
Try the Sphero Edu Jr app to customize behaviors between tiles.

Competition Readiness

Eligibility: Early Elementary teams (Ages 4–8) can participate remotely from school/home or attend in-person events in select locations.
Team Setup: 1–5 students; adult coach; roles may rotate per mission.
What to Prepare: Short mission video, map photos, and a brief write-up of your route and design choices.

Why Families & Educators Love This

Hands-on STEM with tangible progress, aligned to the Sphero Global Challenge.
Builds 21st‑century skills: coding fundamentals, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.
Encourages healthy risk-taking—fail safely, iterate, and discover better designs.

Camp Essentials

Ages: 6 to 8 years old.
Dates: Monday, 7/20/2026 to Friday, 7/24/2026
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 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@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