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Campers built a self-powered flashlight, turning a hand crank into enough electricity to light an LED.

Project Spotlight:

Rotating Tesla Chain

Explore the science of motion with our project featuring our Wellness Director, Tesla! Build a functional gear chain that helps our favorite camp dog catch her ball.

What We Built

Makers designed and assembled a working gear chain that transfers motion from one gear to the next. By carefully positioning each gear, they created a smooth mechanical system that keeps Tesla’s ball moving.

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What We Built

Turning physical motion into electric power, campers wired an LED to a hand-cranked generator, then built a wooden housing to hold it all together.

 

What We Learned

Problem-Solving

Tested and adjusted gear placement to keep the system spinning smoothly.

Gear Basics

Learned how turning one gear transfers motion to the next in a connected system.

Mechanical Systems

Discovered how multiple parts work together to create one functional machine.

Skills in Action

  • System Contruction
  • Gear Assembly
  • Fine Motor Control

Build Story

Challenge — Connect multiple gears to create a smooth, rotating chain.

Process — A synchronized gear system that keeps Tesla’s ball in motion.

Result — A fully functional, battery-free flashlight.

How We Kept it Safe

  • Adult-supervised soldering
  • 1 instructor per 4 campers
  • Safety glasses at every station
  • Tool check before + after

Photo Gallery

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Rotating Tesla Chain
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Ask Your Child

  • Why do the teeth on the gears need to fit together?
  • How does moving one gear make the other gear move?
  • Why do we have to test our gears before we glue them?

Extend at Home

Go on a “Motion Hunt” around your home! Find objects with moving parts—like a whisk, bicycle, or toy car—and talk about how one movement creates another.

Post Build Follow Up

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