Welcome!

We're back with an all new camp program! To get on our notification list, fill out your email address on the right column and we'll keep you posted!

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


North Tampa Robotics Club

This club is open to students ages 8 to 14 interested in furthering their knowledge of robotics and building teamwork and social skills. We integrate a full range of STEM concepts into the program by undertaking projects of varying levels. We are currently building a mobile robot that can be controlled either by a game console joystick or an Xbox Kinect controller. We're blogging about it at kinxt.net

Club membership is on a month-to-month basis. Club dues are $60 per month. We meet at Messiah Lutheran Church in Carrollwood on Hutchison Road just north of Ehrlich. Download the Complete Registration Packet to enroll.


Riverview Robotics Club

This club is open to students ages 8 to 14 interested in furthering their knowledge of robotics and building teamwork and social skills. We are exploring sound robot design principles and really pushing ourselves to tackle the more difficult missions while building fundamental skills.

Club membership is on a month-to-month basis. Club dues are $60 per month. We meet at Kid's Community College in Riverview on US 301 just south of Bloomingdale Ave. Download the Complete Registration Packet to enroll.


Summer Camp Programs

NOTE: Camp registration is now LIVE for our summer programs. We have locations confirmed in Carrollwood, South Tampa, Lutz, and Riverview. You can register online here.

Kids love building robots and contraptions with LEGO® MINDSTORMS®! Our robotics camps give them a week to learn the basics and build robots to accomplish a variety of exciting challenges and missions. No special skills or prior experience are necessary! We offer both a competitive and non-competitive curriculum for kids ages 8-14. They will learn engineering skills, programming, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving in a fun, enriching environment.

We organize the kids into groups of no more than four based on age, interest, and ability. Each group chooses the challenges they wish to pursue. During the week, they'll engage in other related activities to build teamwork and allow them to interact outside of their immediate groups. At the end of the week, 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, 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, supplies, and other camp materials remain the property of the camp and are not available to be taken home by the children.

Camps are open to kids ages 8 to 14. 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 camp. We limit the number of campers per session. We strongly encourage early registration to secure your spot! Register by March 31st to receive a 10% discount per session (promo code EARLYREG).

 

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.

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.