Many coding camps promise to teach kids how to build apps, but the reality often falls far short of what’s advertised, usually because the teachers aren’t adequately trained or there isn’t enough time for students to learn real programming.
Code, Sleep, Repeat: a coding camp taught by Stanford students
But a new camp called Code, Sleep, Repeat has a different model. Started by brothers Brandon and Cody Sugarman, both computer science majors at Stanford University, CSR recruits kids who are motivated to learn coding and immerses them in a ‘deep dive’ coding experience.
According to Brandon Sugarman, what sets CSR apart is its teachers. “Our instructors are fellow Stanford computer science students and graduates,” he explained. “And our knowledge and enthusiasm about coding is hard to find in any other camp.”
CSR campers from 2018 with their completion certificates
CSR started as a pilot program last summer, and it was such a success that Brandon is expanding the camp for summer 2018 (Cody graduated from Stanford and is now working in London as an investment banker). CSR will offer its camp for two weeks: June 11-15 and August 6-10.
Five days to learn to build an app and how to pitch it
CSR’s format is simple: for four days, students learn how to code an app for IOS using Swift and X Code, and on the fifth day, they get a ‘crash course’ in how to pitch their app to an investor. The mix of coding and business is intentional because mission of CSR is to, “fight the epidemic of students who have learned to code, but not to think like software engineers.”
And because CSR’s instructors have worked for companies such as Facebook, Google and Microsoft, they know how to take computer science training and apply it in a software engineering environment.
CSR camp requires enthusiasm, but no prior experience
No prior coding experience is required for CSR, but there prospective campers are required to complete a short application before they can enroll in the program.
“We don’t care if campers know how to code before they come to CSR,” said Brandon Sugarman. “But we do want to make sure they are super excited about the camp and 100% committed to the effort it takes to learn these skills in one week.”
Brandon is also hoping to have a diverse group of students for the camp, mirroring the balance of boys and girls who completed CSR’s pilot program last summer.
CSR delivers on its mission…and it’s fun
According to testimonials on the CSR website, the camp was a hit with the students who attended the pilot year last summer. Camper Jason Okoro said, “I loved my experience at CSR because of the thorough, hands-on interaction with Swift programming and thought-provoking coding and non-coding brain teasers.”
To learn more:
- Watch a video about CSR and its founders
- Apply for CSR camp for summer 2018 (early admission deadline March 31st)
Got a kid who’s passionate about coding? Like this shirt, CSR might be the right fit. Photo credit: Zazzle.
- Contact CSR
photos courtesy of Brandon Sugarman
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