Michigan Works! The Job Force Board's Robotics Day Camp for All Youth Ages 7-12

At LEGO Robotics Camp, students will learn how to design, construct, and program working robots using the LEGO Mindstorms NXT robotics kit with renewable energy add-on kits for solar and wind power (Beginner-Intermediate Level) or the VEX IQ Robotics Kits (Advanced Level). Because camp activities are hands-on and engaging, children as young as 7 and as old as 12 will learn valuable problem solving methods, engineering concepts, and computer skills.

If you live in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and have never seen the beautiful Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore from the water, Saturday, June 14 is your opportunity to do so for free.  Pictured Rocks Cruises will be holding its "Yoopers Ride Free Day" for the third year.  The first year was 2012 and had over 900 free riders and the 2013 event had over 1,700 free riders.  Pictured Rocks Cruises decided that since this was such a successful event, they should have it again this year. 

"Pictured Rocks Cruises invites all Upper Peninsula residents to come and enjoy a free boat cruise to view the beauty of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on June 14," stated John Madigan, manager of the boat cruises.

"After seeing the success of the promotion, we here at the Alger County Chamber of Commerce decided to add more activities for people to enjoy that day", said Kathy Reynolds, executive director of the Chamber.  The Chamber had its first Pictured Rocks Day in conjunction with the Yoopers Ride Free Day last year.  Between the two events it was estimated that there were over 5,000 attendees.  This year Pictured Rocks Day will start at 10:00 a.m. and continue to 9:00 p.m. The event will include bands, vendors, nature shows and stand-up paddle-board and kayaking demonstrations. 

"It's amazing the response we have been getting regarding the free cruise rides and vendors wanting to participate in the event at Bayshore Park", which is just across the street from the Pictured Rocks Cruise office.  "We are now approaching 60 vendors again this year which certainly exceeded our expectations," Reynolds stated.  

Munising Visitor Bureau President Cori Cearley commented, "Pictured Rocks & Yoopers Ride Free Day is a wonderful way for people from Upper Michigan to discover everything that we have to offer. The popularity grows every year and now with the Chamber involved and having a festival at the same time, it's even more popular."   

If you are interested in taking the free cruise, live in the U.P. and weather-permitting, cruises will depart every hour on the hour from the Munising City Pier on Saturday, June 14 starting at 9:00 a.m. and running until 7:00 p.m. Tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis on Saturday, June 14.  In order to obtain your free ticket, you must present in person a photo ID with an Upper Peninsula address at the Pictured Rocks Cruise ticket office that day.  A child must be accompanied by a parent in the ticket office to receive a ticket.  For more information about the free ride visit their website at www.picturedrocks.com or call 800-650-2379.  If you want more information concerning "Pictured Rocks Day" events or want to be a vendor, call the Alger County Chamber of Commerce at (906) 387-2138 or visit www.algercounty.org for a schedule of events.