Copy of 2025-2026 Season of West Sound CoderDojo

==== all events at Silverdale Library except 9/28/2024 which is at Poulsbo Library ====

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 provided by WWU/OC to connect to outlets.

DO YOU HAVE LOANERS?

We have a few, along with a handful of 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 your child 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. Multiple no-shows may be placed on future wait lists.

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

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

ARE MASKS AND COVID VACCINATIONS REQUIRED?

We're still working out some details, but in the interest of including those who may be immunocompromised or at-risk, our protocols will err on the side of safety.

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

For now, we'll start with in-person only. Our efforts will always err on the side of safety and respect formal guidelines.

Also check out other Workshops in Silverdale, Kids events & activities in Silverdale.