Summertime is on our Minds!

May 1st, 2012 by Lizz

Summer Camp Spotlight and Giveaway

Is it really true that it’s May already?  It’s hard to believe how fast this year has gone by.  We at Bricks 4 Kidz have been really busy with our after school LEGO® Lab program since January.  Now that the end of the school year is fast approaching, we’re in full on “summer camp” mode, gearing up for our week-long, half day camps in June and July.  We have partnered with the Lakota Family YMCA in Liberty Twp. and the Mason Community Center to offer these camps through their facilities.

Our family is SO EXCITED to bring these camps to our area.  The camps will be, in a word, awesome.  The camps were one of the main reasons we started Bricks 4 Kidz — wanting to bring a unique and educational camp experiences to our neighbors in the community.  As you make your summer plans, I’d like to take this opportunity to answer some questions that have come up about our camps.

What goes on during a B4K summer camp?

A ton!  Each day at camp, kids will build some of our motorized models and then change them, adapt them, and develop them in new ways.  The kids will have the chance to design vehicles and buildings that relate to the camp theme using what they have learned to think though the design and engineering of their creation.  We also make sure that they aren’t just sitting still the whole time! We mix up the building time with physical games and challenges that relate to our theme.

What are the B4K summer camp themes?

This year we’re offering two exciting camp themes.

Space Adventures

There’s no question that kids are obsessed with Star Wars and have been for over 30 years now!  The timelessness of those movies reflect the passion kids have for discovering other worlds and adventure beyond our own.  What a great way to introduce them to the history of space travel and get them thinking about what the future holds.  In Space Adventures camp, kids will learn all about what kind of training is involved for astronauts; the different vehicles we have used to blast off into space and to do research in space; and what space travel may look like when they are adults.  As they design their own space crafts, they will have to take into consideration the lack of atmosphere and gravity and other challenges in engineering. 

Amusement Park

What family doesn’t enjoy a trip to the amusement park in the summer?  Have your kids ever asked you about how the rides are designed?  Have they ever told you an idea they have for a new ride?  Amusement Park camp gives kids the opportunity to collaborate with other students to design their very own amusement park out of LEGO, complete with motorized rides, turnstiles, ticket booths, and more.  Each day, kids will build rides for their mini-figure that make them spin, roll, and rock.  They can take the model plan we give them and innovate it to create their own thrills. They will consider engineering and safety challenges in designing amusement park rides.  On the final day of camp, students put together all they have learned and design an entire amusement park which the parents will get to tour when they pick up their kids.

What do the campers get to take home?

On the first day of every camp, the kids will each have a turn at our “mini-figure factory” where they will create their own custom mini-figure.  They get to select each piece, choosing from a variety of heads, bodies, legs, hair, and hats.  All week, the campers will use that mini-figure during the building, games and challenges. On the last day, as a fun souvenir to remember a great week of camp, they will get to bring their mini-figure home.  We also will give out Bricks 4 Kidz summer camp shirts.

When are the camps and how do I register?

Space Adventures Camp is at the Lakota Y from June 11-15 and at the Mason Community Center from June 25-29.  Amusement Park Camp is July 16-20 at the Lakota Y and July 23-27 at the Mason Community Center. We offer morning (9am-noon) and afternoon (1-4pm) sessions each week.  To register for our camps, you must work directly with the Lakota Family YMCA or the Mason Community Center.  You can mail or call in registration to the Lakota Y (check here for more information). The Mason Community Center offers on site registration at 6050 Mason Montgomery Rd. or you can register through their website. We keep our camp groups smaller to ensure students get plenty of attention from the instructors and full access to our supplies so keep in mind that space is very limited!

Now for the giveaway!

As we kick off the camp season, we’d like to have a fun giveaway.  Leave a comment below telling us what your family is most looking forward to this summer for a chance to win LEGO® City Town Car and Caravan!  Winner will be selected at random on Wednesday, May 9. Best of luck!