As a kid I participated in Mindstorm, Vex and First robotics competitions (Tl:dr robotic’s clubs targeted at elementry, middle, and high school). But I was a software dork, and these clubs REALLY didn’t lend them self to software dorks, it was more of a manufacturing & electronics club than a software. If you’ve never coded a robot before (at the high school level) it’s basically a set of if statements to turn on or off motors, not much else. A single file under 100 lines. Anyways I’m getting pretty serious about starting an equivalent but for software, targeting 13-18 year olds. There are some that exist but they’re not very popular, and personally I don’t believe this is because there’s no demand I just think they’re all branded as very unapproachable and for “the smartest smart people” like the Google Challenge and what not. Here’s my main working modal, lots of ideas outside of this but this post is already long. 2 main chunks 1. Essentially summer camps for kids 12,13,14. Teach CS 101, make some games or even program pre-built bots. The emphasis is on fundamentals like variables, for loops, etc. 2. Bi-annual competitions, mostly targeting high schoolers 15,16,17,18. One in December and one in April to roughly line up with the US school semesters. Each competition would be based on problems game theory, I.e no “correct” answer just better or worse strategies. It would be announced and teams can submit their best working solution 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month If this program was fleshed out, would you want your kid to join? $270k
While they’re young yes when they’re older probably not (teenage), i know people in academia who wouldn’t mind mentoring them and their fundamentals should be there at that age
Why not when they’re older?
I sent my kids to real camp. Canoeing, build fires, spend time in nature. I dunno. They spend enough time indoors with technology. I would not have sent to coding camp.
I have friends who have got their kids loaded to the teeth in extra circular activities. I feel sad for the kids. They don't get to enjoy being a kid.
When they grow up, they’ll probably be thankful for all the extra curricular activities.
You know who went to coding camp? SBF.
First question. Did the kid want to go to coding camp? If yes, yes I would want them to join. If no, no I wouldn't want them to join. Parenting is easy.
Have the kids learn problem solving and math before trying coding. I have seen kids who excel in BMT/HMT/AIME/USAMO picks up coding without any sweat.
Why would someone not want their kid to do a coding camp?
Because kids should be kids, not doing career prep
Because the kid might hate it and be miserable