LUG Members Volunteer at Camp Erin® Newtown.

Over the weekend of August 23-25, 2013, a special weekend event was held at Camp Erin® for children affected by the tragedy at Sandy Hook School on December 14, 2012. The event was sponsored by the b-Cause Foundation, CT Block Party, the Moyer Foundation, and The Cove Center for Grieving Children.

In the weeks leading up to the event, Bill Probert proposed members of I LUG NY help out by providing LEGO activities. Will Smart designed a modified “MILS” (modular integraded landscaping system) standard, dubbed “BILS,” that comprised of 96×96 stud modules that connected together to form a solid base for kids to assemble a townscape. The modules were assembled at the August monthly I LUG NY meeting.

On Friday, August 23, I LUG NY members Bill Probert, Bill Murphy, Bert Leonffu, Rick Theroux, and Alex Kobbs drove up to Camp Erin and set up in the camp’s gymnasium. The campers were provided the BILS module town as well as areas for free-building, a custom minifigure station, and a micro-scale lighthouse set. When everything was set, the campers were brought into the gymnasium and the fun began. They spent two hours enjoying all the activities. The I LUG NY members worked with the counsellors to make sure the campers got to do everything.

The event was a great way to test out Will’s BILS design. It was very helpful to have them since the camp only had long benches to elevate the townscape off the floor. There was some bowing and breakage, but not unexpected when dealing with non-ideal tabletop and young kids. They need to be handled gently, but the modules will be very helpful for future events like this as well as public displays. It is a distinct improvement over just tacking baseplates together.

Each camper got to keep a micro lighthouse and a custom minifigure. They also got to show off their creations on the townscape layout, which stayed in the gym for the rest of the weekend. When their time was up, the campers reluctantly left to go do the next activity. The I LUG NY members met for a pizza dinner at a local restaurant before calling it a night.

On Sunday the 25th, Bill P, Bert, Rick, and Alex returned to the camp for the closing ceremonies. The counsellors told us that the kids had begged to go back to the LEGO area for more playtime, and the campers had made a few more creations to add to the townscape.

During the closing ceremonies, the campers formed a huge circle with their counsellors and families. Everyone was given a monarch butterfly to symbolically release. Just when it seemed that the weekend had no more surprises, the campers learned that they were each getting a brand new LEGO set to take home! They were overjoyed and eagerly selected one of the many different sets provided by Bill P and the b-Cause Foundation.

After the campers had gone home, the LEGO was packed up. After a quick deli stop for lunch, everyone went home.

It was fulfilling to help out these kids who have already been through so much. It was easy to tell that they were having a great time at the camp, and it appears that the LEGO portion was likely a highlight for many of the campers.