Alameda Education Foundation Offering Computer Programming Camps

Mark Zuckerberg of Facebooks says that "Our policy is literally to hire as many talented engineers as we can find. The whole limit in the system is that there are not enough people who are trained and have these skills today."  

In fact, according to code.org, a non-profit foundation dedicated to growing computer programming education, by 2020 it is projected that there will be 1,000,000 more computer programming jobs than students. Nationwide, only 1 in 10 schools teach coding.

The Alameda Education Foundation (AEF) is taking on this issue by offering summer camps in computer programming, also known as "coding."  

For 4th - 8th graders (completed), AEF is offering two Basic Computer Programming camps the weeks of June 24 and July 29, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  

For older students in 7th - 12th grades, there will be a Basic Computer Programming camp the week of June 24 from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. The more advanced coder (7th - 12th grade), can try out a Programming Sampler Plate camp the week of July 29, 1:30 - 5:30 p.m.   

The "Basic Computer Programming" camps are described as "fun and friendly classes that will teach you the basics of real computer programming languages using the Microsoft Small Basic programming language."  

The more advanced "Programming Sampler Plate" will have students "write simple applications with a different programming language each day and compare the similarities and differences of each language".

The instructor, Michael Wesley, has over 20 years in the software industry with companies including Borland, Symantec and Logitech.  

Camps are $210 plus a $10 materials fee. There is a $20 discount if registration occurs before April 15. Scholarships are available.

On a video produced by code.org, coders from Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg to NBA All Star Chris Bosh to the Black Eyed Peas' Will.i.am discuss the benefits of learning to code and its application to all types of careers.  According to code.org founder Hadi Partovi, "Whether you are trying to make a lot of money of whether you just want to change the world, computer programming is an incredibly empowering skill to have."  Perhaps more appealing to those not inclined towards the computer industry is this quote from Girl Develop It co-founder Vanessa Hurst, "...software is really about humanity, about helping people by using computer technology...."

More information on AEF's computer programming classes, as well as registration information, may be found here.