Code Camp by Red Sunflower is a four-day event that inspires kids aged 10-15 to build a website and learn to code.

The internet and computers are an important part of our everyday lives. Kids growing up today have access to information and technology like never before. It is important that we understand how these tools work and the impact they have on our future.

Blackbaud, BoomTown, and Liollio Architecture sponsored Code Camp 2019. Code Camp sponsors nurture promising tech talent in the Charleston, SC area.

On the first day of Code Camp we brainstorm website ideas and get comfortable with WordPress. Red Sunflower‘s Owner, Jessica Patterson, worked with each student to identify the ideas they were most passionate about. Then, we found ways to display those ideas on a website.

Students had varied interests including art, gaming, music, and entrepreneurship.

Together we answer questions like, “who might be interested in visiting this website?” and “what makes a good domain name?”.

Our first Code Camp guest speaker was Tamika Gadsden, a community activist who creates digital content for Charleston Activist Network. She showed us how to create podcasts using the open-source software, Audible. She also introduced us to the different types of podcasting equipment like microphones and attachments.

By the end of the first day of Code Camp, everyone had selected their domain names and knew what type of website they were going to build.

On the second day of Code Camp, students log in to their new websites for the first time. Together, we practiced editing code in the Theme Editor, downloading code from GitHub, and reading documentation on www.theRedSunflower.com.

Code Camp students leave feeling empowered to use their resources to solve problems.

There is an abundance of coding resources online. Developers can use these online resources to come up with new ideas and solve problems. At Code Camp, we explore these resources together so that we can continue improving our skills long after Code Camp is over.

A website is a communication tool. It’s important to know how to visually represent your ideas on a webpage.

Our second guest speaker was Mez Joseph, a Graphic Designer at Liollio Architecture. Liollio is a Code Camp sponsor. Mez taught us about the principles of website design including color choices, typography, and organization.

The third day of Code Camp is the most challenging. By this point, most students have completed the HTML of their website and begin working on the CSS. This is when the websites really start to take shape.

Each student learns at their own pace and has different goals for their website.

Throughout the camp, each student gets one on one attention to help them accomplish their goals.

Our third guest speaker was Thomas Patterson, a Solutions Architect at Macy’s. He taught us about the impact ecommerce is having on traditional retail stores. He also facilitated a conversation about how algorithms shape our online behaviors on social media.

On the final day of Code Camp, we finish working on our websites and set goals for the future. Advanced students are introduced to PHP and the power of a dynamic websites. All of the websites created at Code Camp remain online for one year.

Code Camp students can keep working on their websites after camp to improve their coding skills.

Our last guest speaker was Ashley Wyand, a Cybersecurity Engineer at Blackbaud. Blackbaud is a Code Camp sponsor. Ashley taught us how to stay safe and protect our private information online. We discussed topics like strong passwords, cyber-bullying, and ethical hacking. This is an especially important topic for young students who are learning how to conduct themselves online.

Code Camp was an amazing experience for everyone involved! Students were brimming with enthusiasm and creativity. Guest speakers were knowledgeable and genuine. Students played video games, helped each other work through coding challenges, and created digital art. Many students discovered career opportunities they had never considered before.

Each student left camp inspired by the endless opportunities in technology.

Red Sunflower Content Creators Narcisa Maura and Jaren Mitchell documented the highlights from camp in real-time on social media. Throughout the year,  you’ll be able to find even more Code Camp digital content on theRedSunflower.com including teaching materials, code samples, and recaps of the guest speakers’ presentations.

Code Camp digital materials are made possible by the generous contributions of Code Camp sponsors, Blackbaud, BoomTown, and Liollio Architecture. If you’re interested in sponsoring next year’s Code Camp contact Red Sunflower.