Registration for all camps opens Thursday, March 6 at 7:00 pm PST.
RoboCamps are week-long summer camps in which campers entering Kindergarten through 8th grade have the opportunity to collaborate to build and program robots, learn about 3D printing and working with drones, and explore a variety of STEM challenges. Trained counselors will guide and support all campers for the best robotics experience possible. At the end of the week, campers in most of the programs will showcase their finished robots in a friendly competition.
|
Scholarships
Need-based scholarships are available for all RoboCamp sessions. Parents may apply for scholarships at time of registration, and a form will be provided for you to document qualification after registration. The scholarships are intended for families that would otherwise be unable to have their children attend and to broaden the STEM education opportunities available to students in our community. See the FAQ below and look for scholarship tickets at registration.
Summer sessions
The Seedling camps help students entering grades K-1 speed into STEM! Sphero Indi is the most approachable entry-level learning robot for ages 5+. Using colored tiles and the Sphero Indi robot, the program inspires imaginative, play-based learning by empowering campers to learn the basics of coding, solve problems, and nurture computational thinking skills.
The Sprouts Camps offer a hands-on introduction to robotics and teamwork for students going into grades 2-3. Campers will build a basic VEX IQ clawbot, gaining practical experience with simple mechanical and engineering concepts. Once built, they’ll put their clawbot to the test in a fun, cube-based game. This camp is ideal for kids who enjoy building and working with their hands in a supportive and engaging environment.
|
The Introductory camps are geared towards kids going into grades 4-8 who have little or no experience with robotics. Introductory camps provide campers with additional scaffolded support and a structured curriculum in designing, building, and programming their robots. This camp uses the VEX IQ platform and ROBOTC programming language, typically as block programming.
Intermediate camps are geared towards kids going into grades 4-8 who already have experience working with robots (i.e. those who have been part of a Davis Youth Robotics League or Schools team, attended a RoboCamp last year, etc.), providing campers with additional opportunities to create and develop their design ideas. This grants them more freedom in designing, building, and programming. This camp also uses the VEX IQ platform and ROBOTC programming language. |
The Programming Skills camp is for campers going into grades 4-8 with robotics experience, who are interested in improving their programming skills. There will be little focus on the mechanical side of robotics. Instead, campers will be taught text-based programming in ROBOTC. This camp will culminate with a series of programming challenges that require the use of sensors, motor encoders, and advanced programming logic. This camp will teach programming skills through completing autonomous-based challenges, instead of using the standard VEX IQ game.
The WiSE (Women in STEM Empowerment) camp is exclusively for girls and non-binary kids going into grades 4-8 who have little or no experience with robotics, and features an all-female team of camp staff. This year, WiSE camp will be provided as an introductory RoboCamp during the week of June 23-27. |
NEW! The Intro to Engineering camp introduces students entering grades 6-8 to practical skills in technology and engineering. Campers will learn the basics of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and 3D printing, as well as how to fly and work with drones. No prior experience is needed, however we do encourage that students bring their own computers to camp every day if they have them. It’s a straightforward introduction to useful tools and techniques for students interested in exploring technology.
|
Schedule
*Kumquat Week: No camp on June 19 (Juneteenth)
**Lemon Week: No camp on July 4 (Independence Day) |
Frequently asked questions
When does registration open for RoboCamps?
Registration will open on Thursday, March 6th at 7:00 PM PST. We anticipate many of our camps will sell out that night, so please be prepared to sign up immediately.
Where can I sign my child up for a RoboCamp?
We use the Ticket Tailor ticketing platform. Our registration page at:
https://www.citruscircuits.org/dyr-robocamps.html has links to the Ticket Tailor page for each of the RoboCamp sessions (or you can go to: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/davisroboticsfoundation).
https://www.citruscircuits.org/dyr-robocamps.html has links to the Ticket Tailor page for each of the RoboCamp sessions (or you can go to: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/davisroboticsfoundation).
My child has no experience with robotics. Is there a RoboCamp for them?
Yes! Our Introductory camps are designed for students entering grades 4-8, where we teach campers with little to no robotics experience. Seedling camps are for students entering Kindergarten or 1st Grade, and Sprouts camps are designed for students entering grades 2-3. In addition, our Intro to Engineering camp does not require prior experience.
Which DYR RoboCamp should my child register for?
*Refer to the flowchart at the bottom of this page*
There are camps appropriate for the skill and interest level of every camper, including camps that focus on learning programming skills and introducing robotics for everyone. Please see the camp descriptions for more specific information on each session available.
There are camps appropriate for the skill and interest level of every camper, including camps that focus on learning programming skills and introducing robotics for everyone. Please see the camp descriptions for more specific information on each session available.
What age groups are eligible for DYR RoboCamps?
Camps are available for students entering grades K-1 in Seedling camps, entering grades 2-3 in Sprouts camps, entering grades 4-8 for all other VEX IQ programs, and entering grades 6-8 for Intro to Engineering camps. See the schedule above. Students above 8th grade are encouraged to join the high school robotics team, Citrus Circuits.
Can my child attend more than one week in one summer?
Initial RoboCamp registration is limited to one camp per child. If there are excess spaces available, we will open up additional weeks to already-registered families.
Can I sign up more than one child for the same camp?
Yes! New this year, you can sign up either 1 or 2 campers for the same camp at the same time. Siblings only please! After clicking the button on the Ticket Tailor page for that camp, change the ticket quantity from 1 to 2. After entering your (parent or guardian) information as purchaser, you will be prompted to enter attendee (child) information for each child.
Is there a waitlist if the DYR RoboCamps are full?
A waitlist is available for each of our camps. If the camp is full, please enter your email address on the waitlist line for that camp.
If a spot opens up, we will be notify you at that email address.
If a spot opens up, we will be notify you at that email address.
What is the cost of a RoboCamp?
One week of camp is $350, except for Seedlings and Sprouts, which are $200 for a week-long, half-day program. All campers receive a RoboCamps shirt. We do not offer family discounts for those registering more than one student. There are also need-based, full scholarships available.
Where will the RoboCamps be held?
All of our RoboCamp sessions will be held at Robert E. Willett Elementary School, 1207 Sycamore Lane, Davis, CA 95616.
What does the agenda look like for each day?
Each day of camp begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m., and has regular snack and lunch breaks (The weeks of June 17-21 and July 1-5 will only be four days long and will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as no camps will be held on Juneteenth or Independence Day). Students in most camps will work together to build and program a robot that they will use in the mini-competition at the end of the week.
Seedling and Sprout camps will be offered in half-day sessions. AM sessions begin at 9 a.m. and end at 12 noon, and PM sessions begin at 1 p.m. and end at 4 p.m.
Seedling and Sprout camps will be offered in half-day sessions. AM sessions begin at 9 a.m. and end at 12 noon, and PM sessions begin at 1 p.m. and end at 4 p.m.
How many people are in a RoboCamp?
Each camp will have a maximum of 48 campers, except Seedlings and Sprouts, which are limited to a maximum of 16 campers, WiSE which is limited to 20, and the new Intro to Engineering camp, which is limited in this pilot year to 12 campers.
Who runs the RoboCamps?
Camps are organized by Davis’s own internationally-recognized high school robotics team, Citrus Circuits (FRC Team 1678), under the direction of Dr. Kanwardeep Singh. Dr. Singh has a Career Technical Education certificate in programming and teaches robotics at Davis Senior High School and Holmes Junior High. She is assisted by members of Citrus Circuits, who volunteer as camp counselors. Each camp has an adult supervisor.
How does applying for a scholarship work?
When applying for a scholarship, individuals will receive an email asking to provide proof of need. Once the email is sent, they will be reserved a spot on the waitlist for the week's roster until their application has been confirmed or denied. If the individual decides to retract their application or is denied for a scholarship, the next person on the waitlist will be given their spot.
We determine need by participation in one or more of the following assistance programs:
We determine need by participation in one or more of the following assistance programs:
- CalFresh SNAP
- CalWorks
- County General Assistance
- Medi-Cal
- National School Lunch Program
- PG&E CARE
- Refugee Cash Assistance
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Will food be provided for my camper(s)?
Lunch and snacks will not be provided to campers. We ask that families provide food for campers each day. Please do not bring peanuts or tree nuts.
What is your late pickup policy?
You must pick up your camper within 10 minutes after the camp's scheduled dismissal. You will be charged $15 per 15 minutes thereafter, which must be paid before your child may attend the next day of camp. Citrus Circuits and Davis Robotics Foundation are not responsible for campers not picked up within one hour after the camp's scheduled dismissal.
What is your refund policy?
If a refund is requested at least 30 days before the first day of your child's camp, you will be given a full refund (minus the service fee). If requested 30 to 7 days before 1st day of camp, you will be given a half refund (minus the service fee). If requested within 7 days of camp, you will not be given a refund unless the camp is canceled by Citrus Circuits.
I've registered my child! Are there any forms we need to bring on the first day?
Yes. Please print and fill out the Emergency Medical Information form, Media Consent and Release form, and (if applicable) the Camper Self-Checkout Permission; and bring them to the first day of camp. See https://www.citruscircuits.org/robocampsforms.html to find these forms.