Flying Minds Calgary Summer Camp 2025 for Robotics, Chess or Art Week 1&2
- John
- 12 hours ago
- 7 min read
Why This Summer Camp in Calgary Helped Kids Truly Thrive
Week 1 & 2 Highlights from Flying Minds Education Centre
At Flying Minds Education Centre in Lake Bonavista, the first two weeks of summer camp (June 2–11) brought a fresh approach to learning—and the results were inspiring.
Unlike traditional camps where kids rotate between different activities, this year Flying Minds offered something different. Campers chose one focused track—Art, Robotics, or Chess—and spent the bulk of their time diving deep into that subject. For kids passionate about what they love, this was a game-changer.
Whether it was sketching vivid creations in Art Camp, building and programming robots in Lego Robotics, or mastering strategies on the chessboard, kids were able to fully immerse themselves. This format gave them the space to build confidence, sharpen their skills, and experience real progress—while still having the freedom to explore other activities during open time at the end of the day.
The result? Happier, more engaged campers who not only had fun, but felt proud of how much they accomplished in just a short time.
If you're looking for a summer camp that values depth, creativity, and fun—Flying Minds might just be the place to spark your child's potential. Chess Camp: Focus, Fun, and Tournament Readiness in 5 Days
In the Chess Camp, Coach John brought a bold new vision to the table. Rather than just teaching general chess skills, he set a personal challenge: to bring novice and beginner players to tournament readiness within just five days.
The camp culminated in a CFC-rated chess tournament—a new feature happening at the end of each camp week this summer. This week's tournament alone saw 117 participants, and the results were incredible.
John’s hypothesis was simple: with engaging, fun lessons and a clear goal, kids would be more motivated, focused, and take pride in their improvement. And he was right—parents were amazed. In just three days, children who previously struggled to sit still or stay engaged were suddenly calculating moves, strategizing, and rising to the challenge with competitive spirit.
To elevate the experience further, some of John’s regular students joined the camp on Tuesdays and Fridays, as well as during the tournament. This gave camp kids the unique opportunity to test their skills in simultaneous matches, learn from more experienced players, and meet the kind of rivals they might face if they continue into regular classes or future competitions.
The combination of structured lessons, a supportive environment, and the thrill of a real tournament gave kids a powerful sense of progress—and many left not just better at chess, but proud of how far they'd come in such a short time.
A Town of Their Own — Inside the Flying Minds Art Camp
Week 1 and 2 of Flying Minds Summer Camp brought an extraordinary journey into the world of imagination and creation—this time through the hands of our young artists. Guided by the thoughtful and inspiring Art Teacher, Irina, the children were tasked with a project unlike any other: to build an entire town from scratch.
Not just a drawing. Not just a sculpture. A whole town.
At the start of the week, Irina introduced a large, blank board—the foundation for what would become a sprawling, collaborative city. Each child was given their own square section of the town to imagine, plan, and create however they liked. From towering buildings to cozy homes, twisting roads to tiny cafés, the freedom was theirs—but the magic was in the guidance behind the scenes.
Irina provided lessons in sculpting techniques, painting textures, and designing in layers. Children learned to build dimension with clay, create trees from wire and tissue, paint shadows and windows, and even sculpt miniature people and animals to bring their creations to life. The result wasn’t just art—it was a living, breathing miniature world that took shape over the course of the week.
What made the project even more exciting was the collaborative element. Each board could connect like puzzle pieces. So while every child worked on their own slice of the city, they were also contributing to a much bigger picture. As the week progressed and the sections came together, streets aligned, rivers connected, and a charming island in the middle emerged—complete with boats, bridges, and birds.
Some kids created bustling marketplaces filled with carts and shoppers. Others built serene parks with dogs and trees, or fire stations with tiny red trucks. A few even added fantastical touches like dragons, treasure chests, or underwater scenes peeking through imagined glass domes.
The final town wasn’t just a display of creativity—it was a visual representation of teamwork, personal expression, and skill development. Kids left the week not just with a new appreciation for art, but with a tangible piece of a world they had helped bring to life.
Most importantly, they left feeling proud. Proud of their craftsmanship, proud of their ideas, and proud to see their unique contribution standing beside others, forming something greater than any one piece alone.
At Flying Minds, art isn’t just about making something pretty. It’s about giving kids the space—and the tools—to express what lives in their imagination, and the confidence to share it with the world.
Invent, Build, Compete — The World of Robotics at Flying Minds
At Flying Minds Summer Camp, the Robotics and 3D Printing Camp wasn’t just about building—it was about discovering what you're capable of, one challenge at a time.
Led by the ever-curious and always inventive Teacher Zoar, the camp delivered a hands-on engineering experience that turned kids into real problem-solvers. Each day brought a new challenge, whether it was a timed Lego competition, a mission-based robotics task, or a creative invention prompt that stretched both imagination and logic.
Campers started the week with Lego competition challenges, where they built vehicles, machines, and even obstacle-course conquerors. They weren’t just snapping bricks together—they were learning gear ratios, leverage systems, and how to optimize pulley designs for function and speed. And most importantly, they were thinking critically about how to improve their creations with each attempt.
As the week unfolded, students leveled up to working with Spike and Mindstorms, two programmable robotics platforms that allowed them to bring their Lego machines to life. From motion sensors to motor control, kids learned the basics of programming in a visual and approachable way—code blocks becoming commands, commands becoming movement, and movement becoming mission success.
But Zoar didn’t stop there.
The second half of the week introduced 3D design and printing, giving kids the opportunity to create custom parts or entirely original designs. Using kid-friendly design software, they mapped out everything from tool attachments for their robots to small figurines, fidget toys, or even their own logo badges. Once the designs were ready, the 3D printers came to life—layer by layer, turning their digital dreams into physical reality.
It was equal parts engineering, creativity, and magic.
What made this camp special wasn’t just the impressive projects—it was the freedom to try, fail, and improve. Zoar’s approach gave every child the confidence to explore without fear. Whether a robot flipped over or a pulley jammed, each moment was a chance to think again, rebuild, and grow.
By the end of the week, the classroom was buzzing—not just with whirring motors and printer heads, but with kids exchanging ideas, troubleshooting for one another, and celebrating their builds like true young engineers.
The Robotics and 3D Printing Camp didn’t just teach STEM skills—it ignited curiosity, and gave campers the tools to see themselves as inventors. Because here at Flying Minds, with a little guidance and a whole lot of creativity, anything is possible.
Beyond the Classroom — Fun, Friendship, and the Spirit of Flying Minds
While the focus of each camp—be it Art, Robotics, or Chess—offered deep dives into creativity and skill-building, the true heartbeat of Flying Minds Summer Camp was the energy shared between campers outside the classroom.
Each morning began with an hour of group games, a chance for kids to connect, laugh, and shake off the sleepiness with movement and fun. Whether it was a quick relay, a team challenge, or a game of capture the flag, these moments set a positive tone for the day and built real friendships among kids from different camps.
Nearly every afternoon, the learning shifted outdoors. Campers got plenty of fresh air and exercise through sports and organized play—balancing the focused indoor sessions with time to run, stretch, and reset. These active breaks were a crucial part of keeping young minds sharp and spirits high.
A special thank you goes to Aroko, one of our amazing youth volunteers and a dedicated CJCC board member, who brought warmth, leadership, and enthusiasm to every camp day. Aroko’s contributions were felt across the board: from helping kids solve chess puzzles, playing simultaneous games with small groups, assisting younger campers in robotics, and even organizing group games both indoors and out.
His presence added a layer of mentorship that made the camp experience even more special. For many of the kids, he became not just a helper, but a role model—someone a little older who remembered what it was like to be in their shoes, and who brought a spirit of kindness and encouragement to everything he did.
Flying Minds has always been more than a place to learn—it’s a place where kids can grow in confidence, explore their passions, and be surrounded by a community that cares.
With dedicated staff, inspiring instructors, supportive volunteers, and kids eager to try something new, this summer is already shaping up to be one to remember.
Ready for More? Join Us This Summer!
The first two weeks of Flying Minds Summer Camp have been filled with creativity, curiosity, and connection—and we’re just getting started.
Our camps will continue all summer long, with more opportunities for kids to dive into Art, Robotics, 3D Printing, and Chess. Whether your child is a future engineer, an imaginative artist, a strategic thinker, or simply looking to try something new and meet great friends, there’s a place for them here at Flying Minds.
Spots are filling quickly, so don’t miss your chance to be part of a summer that inspires, challenges, and celebrates every child’s potential.
👉 Visit our website or contact us today to register for upcoming weeks. Let’s keep building, creating, and learning—together! flyingminds.ca
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