On the week of July 20, 2026, team TeraBridges hosted the second FIRST-inspired XRP summer camp for 7th and 8th grade students. Last year’s camp was a huge success, and we further improved the camp this year using everything we’ve learned.
Students, working in teams of 3, spent the week designing, building, and programming robots to compete in a mock competition inspired by FTC using the FIRST-sponsored Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP). This year’s competition utilized the Orbit Odyssey game. TeraBridges members mentored the students and taught essential robotics skills, including script-based coding, CAD, the design process, and teamwork.
The XRP Camp engages students in various activities to strengthen these skills. The students begin by building their XRP robotics, then learn Python to code the robot and complete mazes and other programming challenges. Afterward, the students design ideas for manipulators and attachments that they can build onto their robots to equip it for the Orbit Odyssey game. They decide on a winning design and build it. Along with robot modification, the students learned CAD to design nameplates for their robots.
The week ended with the students competing in a round robin bracket, putting their skills to the test on the field.
Throughout the camp, the students built a strong foundation in the values of FIRST and core engineering skills. We hope we will see them participate in FTC when they enter high school! TeraBridges is proud to promote robotics education as we advocate to get as many students involved in robotics opportunities as we can. The XRP Camp will be returning next summer!