Summer Camp Programs

What this page can and cannot promise

Summer camp is held at Turtleback Robotics Academy, 6815 Commons Dr, Prince George, VA 23875. The phone is (804) 434-0470. Academy hours published for the building are Mon–Fri 4:00–7:00 PM; Sat and Sun closed. Those hours are not the same thing as a camp day. This page names half-day and full-day options and does not print a start or end time for either one. Dates and enrollment availability vary by season. Contact the academy before you plan around a week that is not in the Program Catalog.

The hero on this page refers to summer sessions you should confirm. It does not list week numbers, a daily schedule, or a price. In-person classes at the academy include academy gear. Ask whether a specific camp week uses that same rule, because this page does not itemize a packing list or say that campers take projects home.

How the three tracks differ

Lego Build Challenge is the ages 6–12 track. Campers use Lego components to design, build, and test creative robotics builds while practicing teamwork and problem-solving through guided mini-challenges. That sentence is the whole published description. It is a guided build, not a competition season.

Homemade Drone Builder is listed for ages 6–12 and for ages 12+. Campers assemble and test beginner-friendly drones, then practice flight safety, tuning, and mission planning. The page does not name a drone model, a flight location outside the lab, or a certification.

Autonomous Vehicle Challenge is ages 12+. Campers design the process and logic, use microprocessors, and convert ordinary RC vehicles into smart autonomous vehicles that can follow lanes, avoid obstacles, and complete timed challenge courses. Younger campers are pointed at Lego and, when the age note allows, drones. Older campers are pointed at vehicles and drones.

Ages 6–12 are described as getting structured coaching, checkpoints, and project templates. Ages 12+ are described as taking more ownership of technical decisions and presentations. You can choose one focus or combine sessions across the summer if more than one session is actually open. Combining is not a promise that every track runs every week.

If camp is not the right container

During the school year, ages 6–12 use After School Robotics. Weekly membership is one instructional hour. VIP is six hours across three days. Full After-School is five weekdays, 4–7 PM. Ages 12 and older who want a team should read Teen Robotics & Competition Club and ask what is open. Families who will not travel to Prince George can use Online Robotics Lab, ages 8–16, six weeks, one live session a week.

A one-time celebration is a birthday party, up to 14 guests, about 2 to 3 hours, not a camp week. Age pathways for the whole academy are on Learning Pathways. Questions and date checks go to the contact page.