Kids turn out for Kendall’s first Lego Camp

Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Participants in this morning’s Lego Camp at Kendall Elementary school prepare Lego “vehicles” which will run down a “zipline.”

KENDALL – Dozens of Kendall Elementary students and their parents enjoyed a fun morning of creativity today at the first ever Lego Camp organized by the Kendall Recreation Department and hosted by Kendall Elementary School.

Kendall Recreation Director Michelle Werth said the first-time event is the brain-child of parent Alicia Charland, who wanted to offer something fun and creative for kids who might not have an interest in the Recreation Department’s many sports programs.

“We have 55 kids registered,” Werth said. “It was offered for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.”

Appropriately enough, kindergartener Cooper Hughes makes a Lego snowplow guy with Mrs. Colucci.

The morning started off with the construction of a Lego “worm” – a simple block structure in which participants tried to create the longest and most creative “worm” on a small Lego board.

Participants were then free to visit a number of stations where they could make Lego vehicles, Hexabug habitats, play Pictionary with Legos, make Lego constructions from bagged sets, make free form Lego figures and constructions, race cars with Mega Blocks, create Legos to run down a “zipline,” and more.

Large Mega Blocks were used in the Elementary School hallway to create a racetrack/obstacle course for toy cars.

Refreshments were provided and The Lego Movie and other videos featuring Legos were shown.

Alicia Charland said her sons love Legos and she knew they would really enjoy the Lego Camp. “We decided we would make it happen,” she said.

Legos were both donated and collected from garage sales and will be stored for use at future Lego events.

“We are thinking about a four-day camp in the summer that would likely be held in the mornings,” Charland said. She noted Legos fit well with the STEM-based school curriculum and are a great way for children to express their creativity.

Third-grader Stephen Elliott made a Lego speed boat during this morning’s Lego Camp at Kendall Elementary School.

Participants wore lanyards with their name and received a star to place on the lanyard each time they completed a project, or cleaned up after their snack.

“When they get five stars they become a Master Builder in Training,” Charland said.

She commended the many volunteers who helped make the event possible, including Kendall High School students. Charland was also impressed by the number of fathers who came to enjoy the event.

“It was three hours in the morning, something local and something affordable,” she noted.

Kendall Elementary Principal Sharon Smith attended and lent a helping hand. She said the camp was a great winter activity.

“We hope it is the first of many activities as part of a partnership between the school and the town,” Smith said. “Our doors will always be open for Kendall Recreation Department activities.”

The first-ever Kendall Recreation Lego Camp proved to be a popular activity during Winter Break week. The event was held in the Kendall Elementary School cafeteria.

Kendall High School students volunteered to help participants during the Lego Camp event, including 10th-graders, from left: Caleb Henion, Megan Hardenbrook and Michela Hanlon. They are at the Hexabug Habitats station.