The Waccamaw Neck Branch Library hosted a new camp this summer for students to gain hands-on experience in robotics and programming.

Sixteen students ages 9 to 16 signed up for LEGO Robotics Camp and were split into pairs to build and program their own robots.

Children's librarian Amy King said she tried to keep the numbers down so students could have the chance to program on their own.

"This is a more advanced program," King said. "We wanted students to be able to get their hands on a robot."

Students at the camp included newbie programmers and seasoned pros, including two-year library robotics team veteran Ellie Keesee.

"My favorite part of the camp is programming," Keesee said. "The camp teaches us a lot about it."

King and computer programmer Amanda Blair assisted the students throughout the camp. King and Blair also both volunteer to coach robotics during the school year; King at the library and Blair at Socastee Elementary School.

The library received the camp's robots through an eco literacy grant, and King said she hopes to use this new technology to help build robotics programs at schools in the area.

The library has been home to its own robotics team for two years, but is now looking to play more of a supporting role for Georgetown County schools.

"There's a huge learning curve when you start a team," King said. "New programs can be difficult to learn. We want to reach out and help coaches and students with robotics."

The Georgetown and Carvers Bay branch libraries will also be hosting robotics camps in the coming weeks to expose students to computer programming.

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Camp sparks kids' interest in robotics - South Strand news