This is a camp with a difference!  We would be surprised if anyone had experienced anything similar before, and we can guarantee that most activities will be new to all involved, because many of them have been custom-designed for this camp.

Where else could you build your own computer game and laser tag system that you can take home, construct robots, discover the chemistry behind chocolate, and learn how lock picking works?  The activities are designed to be not only educational, but also extremely fun, and most Technology Camp projects are taken home at the end of the camp, so the experience continues long afterwards.

This year we are running two completely different 5-day sessions, as well as a special 'Invention Camp', opening up the option of campers attending one, two, or all three sessions

Also at each camp, a 'Time-out' course is run, with various non-technical activities to get the children active and alert!  The focus is on group games allowing even the most hardened non-sportsman to participate (Mr Ward is one of these as many of you are aware!)

Please note that the following information is subject to change.

Both Camps

At both the July 17 and August 17 camps, join Paul, our rocketeer extraordinaire for a rocketry experience on the land and in the air.  You couldn't get someone more experienced in model rocketry than Paul, and he always has a variety of kits on offer for new and returning campers to ensure that everyone has a great time.  Paul usually runs our finale as well which involves a high-powered rocket launch; last year we broke the speed of sound on the last day!

 

 

At both camps, we also run a 'Time-out' session with a variety of games both indoors and out.  This is the opportunity to burn off a bit of steam and put down the high-tech toys for a while.  The sessions are organised for everyone in mind and usually include activities such as swimming, treasure hunts and games on Elstree's own low ropes course.

 

July 17 (Starts on a Saturday for 5 days)

The following courses are only being run on our July 17 Camp:

Robot 'Roaches

Our robot expert Andy will be back again this year, with one of his own creations - a 4-legged 'BEAM' robot resembling a cockroach (at least vaguely!).  'BEAM' robots are designed to follow simple behaviours and simulate the effect of biological neuron behaviours (i.e. real insect brains) when confronted with inputs from sensors such as the insect's antennae. Campers will build their own cute and cuddly 'roach to take home and explore these biological behaviours both with their individual robots and when they are placed in a swarm!

 

Special FX

Delve into the movie industry by learning about special effects.  Rob, our award winning artist will show you how to create convincing makeup effects from wounds to prostheses (body parts).  You will be using the same tools and supplies used in Hollywood and you even will get to take home your own special effects makeup kit.

 

Gastro Science - Fun with Food

Join Nicola, our Cordon Bleu chef for a journey with your taste buds.  Use dry ice (solid carbon dioxide at -78 degrees C) to carbonate fruit (make it fizzy), produce ice-cream and make theatrical fog.  Create both a solar-powered hot dog cooker and a candle-powered mini pancake cooker.

August 17 (Starts on a Tuesday for 5 days)

The following courses are only being run on our August 17 Camp:

Game Design

Grant is back again this year to run a completely new game design session.  Campers will be able to create their own concept of a game using software that is designed to make game design simple, fast and fun.  You will take home your own game on CD, together with a copy of the game design environment so you can continue your designs at home.

 

 

Scrapheap Challenge

This is a team-based challenge that involves converting a pile of old junk (and some not so old electronics) into a contraption to compete against your fellow campers.  We're not giving too much away at this stage, but we will tell you this :  It will involve creating a vehicle that has to transport a person, the vehicle will be powered by electricity, and you will want to think about your design carefully, otherwise you will be in for a sticky end!

 

Biotechnology

Join Naomi, our microbiologist from the University of Wyoming for further exploits into the microscopic world around us.  Discover the mites that live in cheese (which you can eat if you are game!), grow your own venus flytrap, create your own microbe motel, and try your hand at cryogenics by freezing and reviving a living organism!  We will even be exploring organisms that can regrow their own head if it is removed!

 

 

August 24 (Starts on a Tuesday for 5 days)

Camp Invent

Are you an extreme Tech Camper? Do you like to spend your spare time mucking around with electronic or mechanical 'stuff'?  Do you like to invent things? If so, "Camp Invent" might be right up your street.  Two engineers (Tom and Andy), together with a small bunch of helpers will be running this camp for a select group of campers.  Tom and Andy have a wide range of experience in electrical, mechanical and computer engineering and will be able to help you design and create your own invention.  Both also have considerable experience running businesses and may even be able to help you get your invention to market if you want to give it a go!

This camp is strictly for a limited number of campers (maximum 16) and will require you to come with an idea or two of your own that you want to turn into a working invention.  This will be a very different camp from the standard Tech Camp, so you will need to be enthusiastic and motivated to work independently - we will give you all the help you need though.  You will also be able to work with a wide range of available tools, including a vacuum forming machine, laser cutter, and all of the power tools available in our DT lab.  In order to make this camp viable with such a small number, we will run it a little differently - we will not have a chef (we will be designing our own food as well as our own inventions!), and the evening activities will be more low-key (which will also give us more time to work on our inventions). All campers will be residential.

The camp fee should include most supplies, but if any inventions that use unusually exotic or expensive supplies there may be an additional supplies fee.  You will also need to be in contact with us before the camp to discuss your invention ideas as we will need to plan carefully so we have the right equipment and supplies ready for you when you arrive.