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Every summer I hold a week-long one hour per day LEGO Building camp through my
local Parks and Rec program.
This year, I have 28 participants signed up. I divide up the participants into
groups of 9 (For those who need math help, that is 3 groups of 9 with 1 extra.
I am hoping the finally session fills up.).
Anyway, I would like to ask for some help on some ideas on new LEGO ideas during
the camp. After a few years my format is great and really runs smoothly but I
would like to have some new ideas. That is where you come
into play ... I am hopeful I can give you a short outline of the camp and might
be able to come up with a few new ideas. The participants have usually are
between 8 and 12 years old (So please no 40z Geared Mechs :)).
I use the designer series because you can make so many MOCs from one set. I
give each participant the pieces they will need for a particular model in a zip
lock baggie (Yes, sorting is a nightmare but because of the time restraints it
is the only way the camp really works plus no one is frustrated trying to find
one piece) and then I display a pre built model
without instructions. The participants must put the models together by just
looking and rotating the model. My ideology behind the camp (besides just
getting together and have a blast) is to help younger builders get away from
relying on instructions and be able to see something and build it. In addition,
the teaching of Part Lingo. The challenge factor with not
using instructions is high and keeps the participants on their toes.
The following is an outline of the days and the sets we will be using.
Day 1: Sea Machines (4505)
5 Minutes - Introductions - Get to know me and the students
10 Minutes - LEGO Part Lingo - I hand out a paper with printed LDraw parts and
we discuss how to ask for and name a part, such as, 2 x 3 plate, 2 x 2 cone,
etc.
30 Minutes - Set Building (Build 3-5 Models from the set)
15 Minutes - Free Building (Participants can use the remaining bricks to MOC)
Day 2: Speed Wings (4882)
5 Minutes - MOC Presentations
10 Minutes - LEGO Part Quiz - Follow-up from the Part Lingo. I hand out a
paper with new printed LDraw parts and the participants need to match the part
with the name.
30 Minutes - Set Building (Build 3-5 Models from the set)
15 Minutes - Free Building (Participants can use the remaining bricks to MOC)
Day 3: Prehistoric Creatures (4507) and Deep Sea Predators (4506)
5 Minutes - MOC Presentations
10 Minutes - Back to Back Building. Two participants are given two different
models. One model is completed and the other model is just pieces. They sit
back to back and one participant using the completed model and Parts Lingo tells
the other participant how to put their pieces together without looking at the
model. Then they trade roles. It is a blast to get back together and see how
the models turn out.
30 Minutes - Set Building (Build 3-5 Models from the set)
15 Minutes - Free Building (Participants can use the remaining bricks to MOC)
Day 4: Maximum Wheels (4100)
5 Minutes - MOC Presentations
30 Minutes - Set Building (Build 3-5 Models from the set)
10 Minutes - Double Elimination Racing. I bring in some planks of wood and we
race the cars down the planks. Most times the wheels are too small and the model
too light to race in a straight line every time. Anxiety is high just trying to
get past the finish line!!
5 Minutes - Vehicle Modifications. Participants are given 5 minutes to
improve their vehicles. Most usually determine that their vehicles need to be
heavier and add a ton of bricks for wight, style at this point is not an issue.
10 Minutes - Double Elimination Racing - We race again with the modified
vehicles.
Day 5: Robo Platoon (4881)
5 Minutes - MOC Presentations
15 Minutes - Timed Building Contest. I give the participants a model that has
10-20 pieces. I let them build it once by sight. Then we take it apart and I
time them to see how fast they can assemble it again. We usually do this 2 or 3
times with marked improvements in time. In past years some participants have
gotten down to 10-12 seconds. Go ahead and try that one.
30 Minutes - Set Building (Build 3-5 Models from the set)
10 Minutes - Free Building (Participants can use the remaining bricks to MOC)
Participants can take this set home for their own collection.
This is the basic format. If you have any suggestions of how I can improve or
different events I can include please let me know.
We are still registering, if you live in Southern Utah.
Thank you,
Brian
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: Summer LEGO Building Camp Help
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| (...) Wow, that is a really neat program. What kind of fee structure and room requirements do you have? How much LEGO is given to each participant? Andy (19 years ago, 3-Jun-05, to lugnet.edu)
| | | Re: Summer LEGO Building Camp Help
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| (...) You could expand your themes. You should include the popular themes of City, Castle, Space and Adventure. "Real" modeling and interacting with minifigs is very popular. By adding these themes and Train, the fourth day could be a combined (...) (19 years ago, 6-Jun-05, to lugnet.edu)
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