Arduino Robotics and Rock Climbing: Suggested Ages 11–16

Build and code an autonomous Arduino robot, race it on a closed-loop course, climb real rock walls, and take home a full Arduino robotics kit you can keep learning all year.

At a Glance

• Ages: Suggested 11–16
• Experience: A good fit for campers ready to explore electronics and text-based coding.
• Class size: Very small groups (typically 3 campers)
• Robot to keep: Arduino robot + sensors + components + custom 3D-printed parts and LEGO Technic
• Schedule: Full-day, Monday–Friday
• Only 3 spots per week – sign up early.

What They Build

Each camper builds and programs a custom Arduino-based robot. The robot starts with an Arduino robot base and grows into a fully tuned autonomous racer.

Campers work with:

• an Arduino robot base with a suite of sensors and tutorials
• solderless breadboard with real components
• multiple sensors and driver boards
• custom 3D-printed parts and LEGO Technic elements for structure and mounting

They wire circuits, upload code, and tune their robot’s behavior. They work from examples and guidance, not from step-by-step kit instructions, and make their own choices about what to adjust.

The Core Challenge: Autonomous Race and Balloon Battle

The central challenge of Arduino Lab is an autonomous race between two robots on a closed-loop course.

• Two robots start on opposite sides of the track.
• Each bot follows the course and tries to catch the other.
• A small balloon is mounted at the rear of each robot.
• The front of each robot has a pin.
• The first to pop the opponent’s balloon wins.

Each bot drives as fast as possible while staying on the course. Campers quickly discover that small adjustments in code and hardware can make the difference between drifting off the track and running a clean, fast lap.

What They Learn

Throughout the week, campers explore both electronics and software design:

• autonomous navigation
• sensor choice, placement, and calibration
• motor control with driver boards and servos
• Proportional, Integral, Derivative (PID) style feedback control ideas
• code structure, functions, and state-based behavior
• rapid build, test, and revise cycles

They see how tested code is better code, and that small, careful changes often beat big dramatic ones.

Hands-On Electronics, Not Just Visual Blocks

For many campers, this is their first serious step beyond block coding. They still get support, scaffolding, and examples, but they are now typing real code and wiring real circuits.

They learn to:

• read and modify example programs
• connect sensors and drivers on a breadboard
• interpret what their code is doing from the robot’s behavior
• treat success and failure as information, not identity

Rock Climbing: Challenge by Choice

In addition to robotics, campers climb at Planet Rock twice per week. Climbing is run with a challenge by choice philosophy. Fear and hesitation are treated as normal and workable, not as a problem.

On climbing days, campers learn:

• how to wear and check their harness
• how to communicate clearly with staff and belayers
• how to choose routes that feel like the right level of challenge

Some climb high, some stay low. The goal is not to reach a particular height. The goal is to have a real experience of choosing into challenge in a way that feels safe and supported.

Who This Class Is Great For

• Campers who are excited by the idea of real electronics and typed code
• Kids who have enjoyed Sumo Robotics or similar and are ready for the next technical step
• Middle school and early high school students who like to tinker, debug, and ask "what happens if I change this?"
• Younger teens who need a small, focused group rather than a big, noisy camp

Robot Included: A Real Take-Home Lab

At the end of the week, campers take home their complete robot, sensors, components, and custom parts. Many continue to experiment after camp, using the same skills and hardware to explore new ideas.

This take-home kit effectively gives your camper a small mechatronics lab they can keep learning with all year.

Locations and Times

For a more detailed daily schedule, see the FAQ.

Still Not Sure If Arduino Lab Is the Right Fit?

If you are unsure whether Arduino Lab is the best match, you are welcome to visit a Sunday Sumo session at the workshop. You can see the space, meet Dr. George, watch robots in action, and take a quick look at the Arduino material.

You can signup so you don't mess the discount. And also sign up for a Sunday visit. If it is not a good fit we will give you a full refund.

For current tuition and payment options, see the pricing table below and the choices offered at checkout. Note the lower demand weeks in the middle of the summer are priced a bit lower