2023-2024 Season of West Sound CoderDojo

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Biweekly WSCD SESSION INFORMATION

West Sound CoderDojo is not a formally-structured class. They are learning sessions where you can work on whatever you want given your interest and level. The “Ask three, then me” motto of CoderDojo is designed so ninjas can first conduct research to find an answer when they are stuck, then ask a peer, and only last ask a mentor (who has a more facilitative role). The ethos is to encourage self-motivation versus reliance on a mentor, instructor, or coach.

All ages and levels are welcome. Register for your FREE tickets and invite friends!

NOTICE: You will be added to our mailing list for future announcements (average: 1-2x per week). If interested, join our West Sound CoderDojo or West Sound Techies (adults only) groups on Facebook. West Sound CoderDojo and Kitsap Women in Tech pages on Facebook are public and you can like or follow at any time. Our website is another place to get info and updates.

Child Safety

Review these keeping children safe at your online club slides from Raspberry Pi. They are safety rules observed at our in-person sessions.

COVID and General Health Safety

Individuals may choose to continue wearing a mask for personal or health reasons. Please be understanding, respectful, and considerate of individual choices to mask or not to mask. Please be considerate of others and stay home in the case of illness or if experiencing symptoms.

Annual Special Events: Raspberry Jam, Scratch Day, WSCD Birthday, Hour of Code

We host the above events annually on our regularly scheduled Saturdays. Join us for fun, giveaways, and special guests and projects.

May 4 Special Event: Scratch Day and Our 9th Birthday Bash

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS WEST SOUND CODERDOJO (WSCD)?

CoderDojo.com is an international coding club initiative where ninjas ages 7-18 can learn the skills to make computer games and other programs. It is open source, FREE, and an inclusive learning environment where kids learn code, leadership, peer collaboration, computational thinking, and so much more. Parents join in the self-paced, interactive, and problem-solving fun!

West Sound CoderDojo is a Licensed Regional Group (LRG) with CoderDojo HQ, with a mission to also encourage and facilitate other Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, and Olympic Peninsula communities that want to start their own dojos. We have chosen to make our sessions ALL AGES.

WHAT KIND OF GAMES AND PROGRAMS CAN WE LEARN TO MAKE?

Games for the web, games for PCs and Macs, games for Xbox… Racing games, adventure games, puzzle games, guessing games… If your ninja has never programmed before, they’re not going to make MarioKart or Angry Birds on their first time out, but if they keep coming, they can get there.

If they are advanced beyond what's suggested in a coderdojo, not waiting for a mentor to teach or give them a more advanced lesson, able to self-lead and explore projects on their own, or willing to help less advanced kids or even lead a session as mentor, chances are they'll enjoy the experience more than someone more concerned with how far ahead they are than others.

WHAT DOES THIS COST?

NOTHING! CoderDojos are volunteer-led initiatives that must always be free. If you see a problem you can solve or something you can offer, please volunteer.

IS THIS A CLASS?

Words like class and instructor don't really apply to the CoderDojo movement. This is peer-to-peer learning. We provide tutorial suggestions for each level (beginner, intermediate, advanced) but kids are free to work on whatever they want.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?

Bring a laptop running Windows, OSX (Mac), or Linux. Parent/Guardians must remain with their ninjas (no drop-offs). Your laptop should be able to connect to WiFi and have a battery that will last for 2 hours, but we do have power strips to connect to outlets.

DO YOU HAVE LOANERS?

We have a few, along with some ChromeBooks. Let us know if you really need one during registration (one per family, please). Parents must check in and leave their driver's license with us, which we return at the end of the session after receiving the laptop or tablet.

WHAT SOFTWARE DO I NEED?

If your ninja is brand new, they’ll just need a web browser and a text editor. Every operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux) comes with these installed. If they will need additional software, our mentors can talk to you about how you can install it.

CAN MY NINJA BRING A FRIEND?

Of course! Register them as a Ninja and you as Parent/Guardian. Remember you have to remain on site.

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?

Eventbrite is a self-serve tool. Search your inbox for your order confirmation, then click My Tickets in the upper right-hand corner and go from there. Cancellations via email are treated as non-cancellations/no-shows because we don't see them until well after the event is over.

WHAT IF I DON'T CANCEL, DON'T SHOW UP, OR KEEP CANCELLING AT THE LAST MINUTE?

Volunteers are giving their time to bring this community an exciting and FREE resource. They will keep showing up if you respect that.

SILVERDALE IS TOO FAR. CAN YOU HOST A CODERDOJO IN MY COMMUNITY?

The CoderDojo movement is an open-source movement. Anyone can start one. Once you have formed your dojo, you can choose to operate independently, or under our Licensed Regional Group.

ARE MASKS AND COVID VACCINATIONS REQUIRED?

Our protocols will always err on the side of safety.

WILL YOU STILL OFFER ZOOM SESSIONS IN ADDITION TO IN-PERSON?

For now, we are in-person only.

Top Bullet Points About West Sound CoderDojo - PLEASE REVIEW

1. Minors (Ninjas) MUST be registered with a Parent/Guardian. NO EXCEPTIONS. Parents and minors must be together in a single registration.

2. Distinguish Same Names: If your child has the same first name as the parent/guardian, please include a suffix (Jr., Sr., III, IV, etc) or use a spelling variation to distinguish them (i.e., Kathryn and Kate).

3. Eventbrite is a self-serve tool. You are responsible for reviewing all instructions and registering properly. If you need to add or remove registrants or cancel, use the email link in your order confirmation to cancel your registration or create a new one. We do not respond to emails asking us why your order auto-canceled, to add/remove registrants, or cancel for you.

4. Bring a laptop. You can bring a tablet but some content will not run on them. We have a few donated loaners, but please don't just show up without letting us know you need one. One loaner per family.

5. Parent/Guardian must remain throughout the session for safety and liability reasons.

6. Everyone must register even if they are only coming for a short time or just observing. This is important for liability and safety reasons.

7. Ethos: WSCD ninjas and parents/guardians should familiarize themselves with the Guiding Principles of CoderDojo. Kids will enjoy the experience if they (and parents) understand it's not a race or competition. All ages and skill levels are welcome!

8. Avoid no-shows or last-minute cancellations. Our space is more limited at the new location. We also use registration numbers to decide whether or not to proceed with a session and ask mentors to give of their time. Use the registration link in your confirmation email to self-cancel your order.

9. Have fun, and Be Cool! This is important. We reserve the right to refuse entry or ban anyone who does not respect our guidelines, fellow ninjas, or volunteers.