Harvey Launches Robotics Camp

Area students interested in learning how to build and program robots will now have an opportunity this summer to explore the exciting world of robotics in a new, one-week camp to be offered at The Harvey School on its Katonah campus in July.

Under the direction of Harvey’s robotics director, Chris Kelly, boys and girls entering grades eight through 10, will learn to build, code, and operate a robot utilizing the components of VEX EDR V4, the same system used by many of the best high school and college competition robotics teams. Mr. Kelly, the founder and director of Harvey’s highly touted robotics program, has guided his high school team to a number of first and second-place finishes in interscholastic state, national, and world competitions. In 2016, The Harvey School’s RoboCavs were the CREATE U.S. Open National Champions.

Mr. Kelly, a Katonah resident and a math and science teacher at Harvey for 26 years, describes the program as featuring a VEX Squarebot incorporating various sensors the campers will code to interact with objects on Harvey’s own 12’x12’ VEX competition arena. The sensors include SONARS, bumpers, limit switches, shaft encoders, and more. Students will learn the basics of programming using the ROBOTC platform and will have their own programming computer for the week.

“We’re excited to add the robotics camp to our summer program,” said Vinny Alexander, the director of the Harvey Cavalier Camp. “It will encourage creativity and problem-solving in a fun and friendly environment with an experienced robotics teacher and a counselor who currently competes nationally on Harvey’s robotics team, the RoboCavs,” Mr. Alexander said.

The robotics camp will be offered July 15-19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The $500 fee includes lunch. Space is limited. Those interested in securing a spot should register at https://harveycavaliercamp.campmanagement.com/enroll