Drone Racing Camp

Drone Racing isn’t just about flying — it’s about building, problem-solving, and learning resilience. Campers aged 11–17 will design, assemble, program, and race their own drones in a safe, exciting environment. This page gives you everything you need to deliver the programme with confidence — alongside the full Drone Racing Handbook.

Key Goals of the Programme #

• Teach campers the mechanics and coding basics of drone technology.
• Develop safe, confident flying skills.
• Encourage problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity.
• Deliver a wow-factor showcase at the end of the week for parents.
• Inspire campers to see themselves as future makers, engineers, and pilots.

Your Role as Staff #

• Coach, don’t just teach → Encourage exploration and problem-solving.
• Safety leader → Supervise soldering, batteries, and flight zones closely.
• Energy setter → Bring excitement to the technical content so it feels magical, not dry.
• Progress guide → Support campers who get stuck; stretch the ones flying ahead.
• Showtime host → End the week with an inspiring, professional showcase.

Staff Quick-Check Before Camp Starts #

• Review the Drone Racing Handbook in detail (linked below).
• Familiarise yourself with:
  • Flight safety rules (NPLQ-style vigilance).
  • Session flow & structure.
  • Emergency procedures (LiPo battery fire, soldering burns, lost control).
• Double-check equipment inventory against the checklist.
• Run a quick tech test: laptops, chargers, Betaflight, simulator software.

Key Milestones in the Week #

• Day 1–2 → Build: learn mechanics, solder, configure.
• Day 3 → First flights: simulator → tethered flights → free flight.
• Day 4 → Gate building & practice racing.
• Day 5 → Showcase: racing tournament + LED gate display + awards.

Showcase & Parent Engagement #

• Parents should see confidence, creativity, and smiles.
• Celebrate effort and progress as much as speed.
• Make awards fun and inclusive (e.g. “Best Designer,” “Most Resilient Engineer”).
• Use the showcase as a chance to promote Adventure Camps’ energy and professionalism.

Non-Negotiable Safety Rules #

• Staff-to-camper ratio 1:6 in soldering and flying areas.
• All soldering requires safety goggles.
• LiPo batteries charged only in fireproof bags and supervised.
• Flight zones must be clearly marked with cones/barriers.
• Spectators stay in safe zones at all times.
• Staff carry radios — never leave a group unsupervised.

The Adventure Camps Magic Touch #

Remember: Drone Camp is as much about the story and energy as the technology. Add excitement with:

• Announcing races like a sports commentator.
• Giving nicknames/callsigns to drone pilots.
• Celebrating “failures” as discoveries.
• Keeping the energy high even when tech glitches happen.

Resources on This Page #

Safety Documents #

Videos #