I am pleased to announce the date for Desert Code Camp 2010.2, aka Nov2010 code camp.  It will take place Saturday, November, 13th, 2010.

There are a few changes for this camp.

New Web Site

The web site have been changed to accommodate history in the Desert Code Camps. This means that each Code Camp will have it’s own url, so you can see what sessions have taken place in the past.

This Desert Code Camp’s, 2010.2, url is http://nov2010.desertcodecamp.com and is ready to accept sessions.

May 2010 Desert Code Camp, 2010.1 Desert Code Camp, is http://may2010.desertcodecamp.com. I am in the process of adding in the Desert Code Camps from 2009. You can go to http://desertcodecamp.com to get the list of Code Camps that the site has.

New Location

Chandler – Gilbert Community College, will be hosting the event on their Pecos Campus.

• This facility is right off of the Loop 202 (SanTan Freeway) and Gilbert Road at the intersection of Gilbert Rd and Pecos Rd, in Chandler, AZ.
• The facility provides plenty of free parking
• There is free wifi with no requirements or software installed on your pc.
• There is a student center for socializing and networking.
• Modern facilities. In fact, Desert Code Camp will most likely take place in their brand new Ironwood Hall (IRN).
• Larger room sizes.  We will be able to hold several 120+ sessions.

Speaker Dinner

I am going to try and have a speaker dinner also at this Desert Code Camp.  The speaker dinner will take place on Friday night, pending a sponsor. More information will be provided when we get closer. If you want to sponsor the speaker dinner for about 40 people, send me an email at jguadagno @ sevdnug.org.

After Party

We are working with the City of Chandler, and local businesses downtown to have several after parties going on in Downtown Chandler after the Code Camp.  Downtown Chandler is approximately 3 miles away from Chandler – Gilbert Community College.

If you want to help, shoot me an email at jguadagno at sevdnug.org.

It’s time for the 7th iteration of Desert Code Camp (my second one as director).  Desert Code Camp will be held on May 15th at DeVry again.

DeVry University
2149 W Dunlap Ave (Map)
Phoenix, Arizona 85021

The Desert Code Camp website has a new design and logo thanks to Gabriel Utasi and a few new features.

Sign-up to give a talk today.

Follow Desert Code Camp on Twitter @DesertCodeCamp

I recently sat down with some other community evangelists in the Chandler / Phoenix area to talk about some of the events that I plan to put on in the coming year. 

To get updates on these events follow me on Twitter @jguadagno and the Southeast Valley .NET User Group @SEVDNUG and continue to watch this blog.

Putting on an event is time consuming, any help I receive is appreciated.  If you are interest let me know… jguadagno @ sevdnug.org

Here is the list, please note that the dates are not set in stone yet.

 

Weekly Events

Tech Lunch South

A weekly technology agnostic lunch meeting open to all.

http://www.techlunchsouth.com

Every Tuesday.

Hacknight *

A weekly technology agnostic event open to all.

http://gangplankhq.com/collaborative/

Every Wednesday night.

 

Monthly Events

Southeast Valley .NET User Group

http://www.sevdnug.org 

Monthly on the 4th Thursday of the month.

 

Gangplank Jr.

A monthly meeting dedicated to kids from 4 – 18 years of age. Topics include, development, robotics, drawing, photography, cooking and more.

http://www.gankplankjr.com

Monthly (the day has not been determined yet)

 

The Rest of Year

Phoenix Bar Camp

BarCamp is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos and interaction from participants who are the main actors of the event.

http://www.barcampphoenix.com

February and August

 

Desert Code Camp

http://www.desertcodecamp.com

May and November

 

AZGiveCamp *

AZGiveCamp is a massive weekend event where the software development community comes together to support charities and non-profits by developing or improving their web sites and applications. It's fun, it's agile, it's geeky, and it's good for the community.

If you are interested in helping out as a volunteer, organizer, or sponsor, we would like to hear from you! Please check out our FAQs, and then drop them an email through our Contact Us page.

http://www.azgivecamp.org

March or April.

 

Gangplank Jr. Code Camp

A code camp style event for kids from the ages of 4 – 18.

no URL yet

Quarterly or semi annual

 

Startup Weekend **

http://phoenix.startupweekend.org

Spring

 

Legend:

* indicates an event that is taking place in the area that I am not running but I am part of.

** this event might need someone to organize it the area again.

My first Code Camp is done and I wanted to jot down some of the lessons I learned.

Bring EXTRA equipment! You will never now what people will want or need. Here’s a list of items that are good to have.

• Adapters
  • DVI to VGA (those MACs)
  • HDMI to VGA
  • Multiple video to VGA
• Mice
• CAT5 cables
• USB Cables
• USB Flash drive

Speakers

• Speakers will cancel.  It is an unfortunate fact.
• Don’t allow one speaker to speak at more than 3 sessions.  This reduces your risk in case of cancelation and prevents speaker fatigue.

Schedule.  Printed schedules are good to have and good to hang.  Also add speaker names to the presentations.

Name Tags. People like and want them.

Venue

• WIFI is key.  A reliable and unobtrusive WiFi connection is best.
• You need to be able handle last minute room changes

Food

• Make sure you provide the person(s) that are ordering the food explicit instructions on the food.
• Try to have more than just pizza.
• You should have vegetarian and vegan options.

 

And remember you are not going to be able to make EVERYONE happy.

Got a kid interested in Technology?  Bring them to  the Gankplank Jr track at Code Camp Jr. taking place at Desert Code Camp.

Schedule for the day

Time	Event
9:00	Registration
9:30	Programming with Scratch
9:45	Free time with Scratch
10:15	Kid free play time
10:45	Lego Mindstorm NXT
11:30	Lego Mindstorm NXT free play time
12:00	Lunch provided by Gangplank Jr. Bakugan Tournament
1:00	Circuits
1:45	Free time with circuits and electronics
3:00	Wrap up
3:15	Free time with the computers

Computers will be provided, feel free to bring a laptop if you have.

Lunch will be provided by Gangplank Jr.

If you have any Ardunio sets or Lego Mindstorm NXT sets feel free to bring them.

Register to attend: codecampjr2009.eventbrite.com

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Joseph Guadagno

jguadagno@sevdnug.org

Recommended for kids from 4-18 years of age.

It is recommended that the kids are at reading age.

* Schedule is subject to change.

The next Desert Code Camp is scheduled for Saturday November 7th, 2009 at DeVry University.  Great sessions, networking, food, and WIFI (yes WIFI) will be provided. So come out learn, teach, network. It will be great.

Location:

DeVry University
2149 W. Dunlap Ave (map)
Phoenix, Arizona 85021

Submit your talks, sessions, ideas for talks at the Desert Code Camp site.

On Twitter follow @DesertCodeCamp, @AZGroups, and @SEVDNUG for more information updates. Tweet up the event with the hashtag of #DCC09.