Program Overview

Introduction to the Summer Place Robotics & Coding Camp

The Summer Place Robotics & Coding (SPRC) camp is a dynamic, two-week immersive program that introduces rising 9th–11th-grade campers to the practical fundamentals of robotics and coding. Through hands-on labs and guided projects, campers develop critical problem-solving, teamwork, and engineering skills in a collaborative, real-world learning environment.

Program Details

Campers enrolled in SPRC will learn how to:

• Design and build their own mobile robot platforms from the ground up
• Program robots using microcontrollers and systems-on-a-chip (SoCs) with C and Python
• Explore core engineering concepts across electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering
• Collaborate in teams and compete in hands-on challenges on a mobile robotics task field

The program culminates in an exciting in-class robotics competition, where campers put their skills to the test. Upon successful completion of the camp, each participant receives a printed certificate from the University of Hartford and its College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture recognizing their achievement.

Program Schedule

A typical SPRC day includes:

• 8:30 a.m. – Camper arrival at the University of Hartford Sports Center
• 9 a.m.–Noon – Robotics & Coding activities
• Noon–1 p.m. – Lunch at the University of Hartford Sports Center
• 1 p.m. – Pickup at the Lunch Grove near Parking Lot F

Program Dates and Fees

• Program Dates: June 29–July 10 (no camp on July 3 in observance of the holiday)
• Program Fee: $1,110 per session (10% off if registered by February 15)

Extended Care

• Extended Care (Optional): 7:15–8:15 a.m.
• Extended Care Fee: $125

Lunch and Snacks

Campers may bring their own bagged lunch or purchase a full week of prepaid lunches prepared by the University of Hartford's food service provider, Aramark. Gluten-free and allergen-conscious options are available upon request. All purchased lunches are refrigerated.

Lunch Menu

• Monday: Turkey and cheese sandwich, chips, carrot dippers with ranch, clementine
• Tuesday: Chicken and cheese quesadilla with salsa, pretzels, Jello, fruit salad
• Wednesday: Chicken nuggets with barbecue sauce, cookies, string cheese, banana
• Thursday: Cheeseburger, yogurt, apples, pretzels
• Friday: Cheese pizza, watermelon, chips, cookies

Morning Bus Pickup Schedule

Free morning-only bus transportation is available for campers enrolled in the Robotics & Coding program. Campers may use any of the designated morning pickup locations for transportation to the University of Hartford campus.

Bus Route 1

• Riverfront Park (near the boathouse), 300 Welles Street, Glastonbury — 7:20 a.m.
• Wethersfield Shopping Center (left side), Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield — 7:33 a.m.
• Newington High School, Willard Avenue, Newington — 7:53 a.m.
• Sigourney Street Station – Platform D, Hawthorne Street, Hartford — 8:15 a.m.

Bus Route 2

• Shoppes at Farmington Valley, Route 44, Barnes & Noble back parking lot, Canton — 7:37 a.m.
• Sperry Park – Entrance Parking Lot, Route 10, Avon — 7:47 a.m.
• Iron Horse Boulevard Commuter Lot, Rear of Drake Hill Mall, Simsbury — 7:58 a.m.
• Northwest Catholic High School – Atrium, West Hartford — 8:12 a.m.

Bus Route 3

• Wolcott Park, New Britain Avenue (43 Wolcott Road Parking Lot) — 7:56 a.m.
• Bishops Corner, Behind Marshalls — 8:11 a.m.

Important Forms

• Camp Policies
• Camper Medical Form
• Medical Authorization Form
• Individual Care Plan Form
• Concussion Policy
• Change of Routine

Meet the Program Director

Kiwon Sohn, Program Director, Robotics Engineering, is directing the Summer Place Robotics & Coding camp. Sohn is the Robotics Engineering Program Director in CETA at the University of Hartford and is an Associate Professor in the Samuel I. Ward Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He leads the Assistive Robotics Team for the University of Hartford, and current research topics include robot vision/perception system development and its data processing and whole-body motion design and optimization for vehicle handling tasks.

Facilities

SPRC will meet in the Robotics Lab, Room 212, in the Hursey Center for Advanced Engineering and Health Professions at the University of Hartford.