This little Lego minifigure is a young character released in 2016 as part of a remarkably well designed ‘Creator’ set that could be used to construct three very different builds. Add a backpack to our Boy Camper and he is ready for the hills.
The Lego Creator theme started in 2001 and the sets are normally based around buildings, vehicles and animals. They focus more on the building element of the plastic bricks rather than the playability. From 2001 to 2005 a special 4+ Figure could be included with these Creator sets. These figures were aimed at children aged four and over. These early Creator figures were normally Tina and Max, each larger than a standard Lego Minifigure. These figures were more realistic looking than standard Minifigures but could not be disassembled.
The first ‘Camper’ minifigure in the Creator theme appeared in 2011 and Three Points of the Compass looked at that release here. Lego Creator set 31052 Vacation Getaways was released 1 June 2016 (22 May in US) and remained on sale for two years. Of interest to us, it included two minifigures. An adult and a young ‘Boy Camper’ minifigure. He is a little fella, with the shorter legs found on minifigures representing younger characters. These shorter legs are rigid and cannot be posed, unlike those on the adult minifigures. Head, arms and hands can be swivelled and posed as normal. He looks happy to be out but will also stand on a bookshelf from where he will wave at you with impunity. Add a backpack to our little character and he is off to the hills.
His yellow hands match his yellow head. There is the one face. This has an open smile and eyes with brown eyebrows above. He also has freckles. There is no alternative face on the reverse of the head. This is unsurprising as there is no hairpiece and a second face would have been seen from the rear. He also has a dark blue cap that has seams, a hole in the top and curved bill.
My little chap is also wearing an additional backpack that lets him escape the confines of camp. It is a one colour brown backpack that has been used by Lego with many of their other minifigures. It is a simple single moulded piece that includes a brown rolled bedroll, possibly a rolled sleeping mat, attached to the top. Not included in the ‘vacation’ set, this backpack could be loaned from Boy Camper (2018).
Intended for ages 9-14, this set has plenty of older fans too. There are 792 parts in Lego Creator set 31052 Vacation Getaways. 2016 Boy Camper has only appeared in this set and is comprised of just three parts, plus blue cap. With my optional additional backpack, this makes five parts in total. There is also an official though optional three-part camera that he can hold. Unlike many other minifigures, characters in these sets had no display plinth.
He has short legs with tan trousers and no shoe detail. The torso has a lot of detail however. Our Boy Camper has a red sleeveless, open, hooded jacket over dark red sweater with dark red arms showing. He has a silver radio poking from one front pocket. There is also detail on the back of his red top, this is a ‘deep sea’ type logo with anchor. This torso was also used on other Lego minifigures including a passenger on a lifeboat and deep-sea mariners.
The instruction sheet included with Creator set 31052 Vacation Getaways includes the over-scaled three-part camera. It is a simple build, with only three body parts, legs, torso and head. His fourth part, a cap, could be exchanged with another headpiece or hat but who would want to do that!
Boy Camper simply looks pleased to be away on vacation and enjoying outdoors life. Add the backpack and our lad has so much more character.
Creator set 31052 has not simply been cobbled together. It has been cleverly designed by Lego and each of the three builds- a boat, a house and motor caravan, are impressive in themselves. JANGBRiCKS has done a pretty good review of the three possible builds on YouTube.
In addition to Lego Creator Boy Camper (2016), Three Points of the Compass has also had a closer look at a few other minifigures engaged in outdoor activity:
Three Points of the Compass 
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