re: DigiGirlz camp LA for 2009

Larry — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:57:53 GMT

I think it's a great idea.

You'd probably want to divide the kids by experience (not necessarily age). That way, the experienced kids wouldn’t get bored and the less experienced stifled. Do something similar to MCP exams, only free, fast, and toned down, with a slick name like Future Coders (ok, that’s not slick, but you get the idea). Progress through ranks not only gives them some clout, but will give them a learning path. Make higher ranks teach to enforce their learning. (Some High Schools require community service hours, so maybe you could work it in with coding for SmartCare, Mona, or other organizations)

Make the agenda generic since there are crystalline weenies out there that won’t go near anything with ‘Microsoft’ in it. Remembering that, some of them are worth saving since one day they may have to write a real production system.

To attract Universities, you’d want to explain these are their future students (aka customers). Keep stats on the older students so you can tell them X% enrolled in your University after attending a Camp session. Competition for enrollment is becoming fiercer as the economy sags, they should snap on any hook you throw them. (Of course, train your graduates to organize when they get to the Universities)

There is too much to say on the subject. Probably the toughest thing is finding a name with an available domain name.

Sounds like a big project you could do in your copious spare time ;)

re: DigiGirlz camp LA for 2009

lynnlangit — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:57:13 GMT

Actually we are kicking around the idea of TeachCamp both K-12 kids. Kind of like of CodeCamp (i.e. held on a weekend at a university), filled with geeks teaching kids.

Your thoughts?

re: DigiGirlz camp LA for 2009

Larry — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:19:40 GMT

Great program. Thanks for helping the next generation. You should challenge Glen or Matt to start a DigiBoyz program.