BattleBots® Camp: Robotics Engineering with VEX Sensors

  • Price: Starting at $1,319
  • Age: Ages 13-17
  • Skill Level: Beginner-Advanced
  • Format: iD Tech Camps | Small-Group, On-Campus
  • Duration: Weeklong program, 8 hours per day

About This Course

In the BattleBots® arena, the bot that reacts fastest wins. Make sure it’s yours. At iD Tech, you’ll join a team to build a fighting robot from a VEX V5 kit, exploring the mechanical engineering principles that keep it sturdy and balanced under fire. Then, code its every move in VEX C++. Wire in light and distance sensors and program your bot to react on its own: when an opponent comes within range, your weapon auto-strikes. Scout your opponents, read the battlefield, optimize your hardware, and code between rounds to strategize your next move. Take on challenges round after round to put your programming and sensors to the ultimate test. “Let the bot battle begin!”

You'll learn to:

  • Build a fighting robot from a VEX V5 kit
  • Explore mechanical engineering principles
  • Program behaviors and controls in VEX C++
  • Code autonomous reactions with light and distance sensors
  • Optimize hardware and code between competition rounds
  • Compete in a BattleBots®-style championship

Course Format 

This course is part of a weeklong summer camp running Monday through Friday. Learning sessions will be held in a lab on an inspiring university campus. Your child will be placed within a small group and guided by an experienced instructor. Daily schedules are balanced and allow for outdoor and recreational activities. Day and overnight options are available based on location.


Sample Schedule

Here’s a sample of what a week in this course could look like. Keep in mind students will progress at varying paces, and this is meant to serve as an outline of key materials and the overall experience. 

Calling all contestants to the stage! Kick off the week by discussing the basic protocols of BattleBots® camp. Then, you’ll build a drivable base for your robot and learn to pilot it.

Form teams and begin planning your robot’s design. You’ll discuss engineering basics and take stock of the available mechanical devices and equipment.

Next, learn how to program a robot controller with C++ and VEXcode. Then, use sensors to prepare your bot for the autonomous portion of the battle.

Let the bot battle begin! You’ll build, test, and iterate on your robot design before moving on to the main event. Apply AI vision and maneuverability with VEX sensors. The final competition will test your technical knowledge and ingenuity as you face off against your peers’ robots.

As the competition draws to a close, wrap up by documenting your design with photos. Show off your champion to family and friends in a final battle at the iD Tech Family Showcase!

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Portfolio-Boosting Diploma & Transcript

At the conclusion of your child's course, they will receive an official iD Tech diploma and course transcript outlining the skills they learned over the course of the week.

Elite Staff & Experienced Instructors

Passion for tech. Unmatched expertise. Personality that brings out the absolute best in your child. With 25 years of experience, we know there's no replacement for the best teacher. Each year iD instructors go on to be hired by the most prestigious tech companies in the world like Google, EA, Disney, Microsoft, and more. When your child learns from the best, they’ll unlock opportunities to become their best. 

  • 100% USA-based, adult instructors

  • Recruited from top universities like Stanford, Caltech, and NYU

  • Rigorous background and reference checks

  • Robust training programs and certification

  • Adherence to American Camp Association accredited guidelines

Find a location near you!

Locations
Day Camp Overnight Camp
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FAQ

Robotics is an integral part of cutting-edge careers like aerospace engineering, computer science, and hardware design. If your child loves to tinker and would enjoy learning about STEM in a concrete way, their new robotics project could be just the thing to help them envision a future in one of these professions.

And then of course there are the “soft skills” that go along with advancing as a young robotics engineer.

Think about, for instance, the perseverance it takes to patiently and meticulously assemble a piece of hardware or the problem-solving necessary to program a robot to complete an obstacle course. These skills are essential not only in the STEM world, but in the working world as a whole. 

Yes, this course is designed for beginner to advanced students. Our small class size ensures that each student receives individual attention and has the freedom to learn at their own pace. Instructors are trained to be in tune with students’ unique needs and provide a personalized learning experience. 

Yes! Every iD Tech experience contributes toward leveling up along the iD Tech Pathway. This course is worth 1,500 XP— learn more about the iD Tech Pathway here.

While we are a tech program with the goal of transforming your child’s interests into real-world STEM skills, we are also a summer camp. Simply put, camp is a balance of learning and fun! Students learn in small groups in labs on a prestigious college campus and from expert instructors who are trained to engage and inspire.

Day camps kick off with icebreakers and team-building before jumping into morning coursework. When it’s time for lunch, your child will walk from the computer lab to the dining hall as they take in the beauty of campus. Students return to the learning labs in the afternoon for more exciting coursework, followed by an afternoon break where they will have the chance to take part in outdoor game time and more campus discovery before wrapping up with instruction!

Overnight campers work until dinner and then go off to create deeper connections and memories while gaming, watching movies, and more. Your child will experience the magic of camp during days and nights filled with learning and adventure that builds lifelong friendships.

Day camp runs 9am to 4:30pm Monday through Thursday, with check-in beginning at 8:30am and pick-up available until 5pm. On Friday, camp ends after Family Showcase, which runs 2–3pm. Overnight campers check in Sunday at 6pm and are also picked up Friday between 2 and 3pm.

Students spend approximately five hours per day on the computer, taking breaks to engage in recreational activities throughout their sessions.

As courses frequently sell out, we recommend registering early to secure your child's spot. You can make unlimited changes with no fees up to 28 days before the start of your session. If you need to cancel before March 1st, you will receive a full refund of the amount paid. If you cancel after March 1st but still 28+ days before your session, you will receive a refund less the additional fees (if applicable) and a $250 cancellation charge per week. Within 28 days of your session start date, changes are subject to a fee, and no refunds are provided for cancellations.

Yes! You can register today for as little as $380 per student and pay the balance in convenient monthly installments. Save $50 by registering for multiple sessions, and earn $25 in credit when you invite a friend to join camp. Your friend saves $25 when they sign up, too!

Please note: Students you refer cannot have previously attended an online or on-campus program with iD Tech.

Our instructors are recruited from top universities, but more importantly, they are elite mentors who understand kids, share their interests, bring first-hand experience, and serve as real-life role models for what the future holds. They are trained extensively in-person (and virtually) to differentiate engaging content to campers’ needs, connect to each child, and inspire them to pursue their dreams.

All instructors are adults (no high school counselors-in-training), fully background-checked, and trained in safety and first aid. Campers learn in small groups with a 8:1 average student-to-instructor ratio, split first by age and then, as needed, by experience level. Instructors monitor group dynamics closely and will move a camper to a different seat or class section right away if a pairing isn't working. Every camper agrees to our Code of Conduct, and staff are trained to step in quickly.

All computers, equipment and software are provided in our camp labs, so your child doesn't need to bring a laptop or tablet, or download anything ahead of time. They should wear and/or pack comfortable clothing and shoes (preferably athletic shoes), a jacket or sweatshirt, sunscreen for outdoor activities, and a clearly labeled or identifiable water bottle (if students don't bring one, we'll have disposable cups). If your child has an account for games like Roblox or Minecraft, have them bring their login information to camp. Overnight campers should check their pre-camp details, since room setups and whether bedding is included vary by location.

Headphones are optional: students may bring their own, but we do not provide them. Spending money is optional too. Some locations allow for purchasing vending machine snacks or souvenirs in the campus bookstore, but we don't guarantee these opportunities each week and recommend that students not bring more than $30–$50.

At the conclusion of your child's course, they will receive an iD Tech diploma as well as a transcript outlining everything they learned over the week. They’ll also take home a USB with their course project files, along with access to installation and setup guides so they can continue working at their own pace.

In addition to valuable tech skills, kids and teens leave camp with new relationships, resilience, critical thinking opportunities, and an even greater love for tech (if that’s possible!).

BattleBots® is the exclusive trademark of BattleBots, Inc and is registered in the United States and Worldwide. Copyright in all BattleBots materials is owned iDTech BattleBots 3 Year deal TG/LV draft 3.0 by BattleBots Inc. and may only be used under license. All rights reserved.

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