Bright sparks: Summer coding camps for kids - and grown-ups

Do you know how to code? How about your children? A growing number of programmes out there are encouraging us to learn about different programming languages, and with good reason.

Coding can help spark creativity, giving young creators the chance to make their own projects and bring them to life. Coding can also help hone logical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

The National Skills Bulletin in 2022 identified software engineers as an in-demand profession. Since then, the tech landscape has changed, with tech job losses hitting the sector here. But skilled software engineers are likely to be needed into the future, even if companies have pared back their budgets a bit.

And what about the AI effect? While increasingly skilled artificial intelligence such as Google Bard and ChatGPT is taking over some elements of basic coding, experts will still be needed for some time to do the more complex tasks – or, more importantly, to spot any potential flaws in the AI-generated code. As we have seen, blindly trusting AI is a fool’s errand.

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And all of that starts with getting the building blocks in place and learning the basics.

As with all things, the younger you start, the better. So with that in mind, we have pulled together some of the in-person coding camps that are running this summer, and compiled a list of the online resources that your child – or you – can use to brush up on coding skills.

In-person summer camps

Bricks4Kidz

Bricks4Kidz, as the name might suggest, takes a different approach, using Lego bricks, motors and remote controls to teach children the basics of science, technology, engineering and maths. The camps are aimed at children between the ages of five and 12, providing multisensory, educational lessons that help them develop their problem-solving skills and learn how to collaborate. They use different themes, including some perennial favourites – Frozen, Star Wars, Minecraft – alongside the updated themes for 2023. The camps typically run for five days, held between 10am and 2pm, and cost about €145. bricks4kidz.ie

Designer Minds

The Designer Minds Science, Design and Technology camps provide hands-on activities for children who want to create code and experiment. Using small groups, the camps include everything from building Lego robots and learning how to code commands, to building colourful circuits to creating a chromatography T-shirt. The camps are aimed at children who are currently in senior infants through to sixth class. Camps are typically run from 9am to 1pm and last for five days, at a cost of €140. designerminds.ie

TechKidz

TechKidz has developed a curriculum for its clubs that will help to improve children’s computer skills, introduce them to computational thinking and get them started with coding. The exact activities vary according to camp location, but the company says the core activities remain the same, covering everything from robotics and graphics to basic computer skills and game design. There’s enough in there to keep most children occupied. Personal development is also a big focus for the camps, giving children a chance to mix with new people, learn how to work together and have fun while they are doing it. techkidz.ie

Whizzkids

The Whizzkids camps may already have started but there are dates left for later in July and in August. The camps mix tech and digital skills with outdoor and group activities, ensuring attendees have a varied day. The camps cater for children aged between eight and 15, and are held on third-level campuses around the country. The Whizzkids camps differ from the rest in one important aspect: you can choose between two finishing times: 1pm or 3pm. That makes them a better prospect for parents looking for something to replace the school hours during the summer holidays. whizzkids.ie

Online learning

Kids Coder Club

Kids Coder Club is a Wexford-based initiative that runs in-person workshops throughout the southeast with associated clubs. The club also runs online camps via Zoom to introduce your children to coding. It’s a good way to test the waters to see if your child is really interested in coding. The lessons are run in two-hour sessions, and cover coding through programming language Scratch, creating games and brushing up on basic ICT skills. Courses are divided by age group and are available in certain dates in July and August. kidscoderclub.ie

Hour of code

Hour of Code does exactly what the name implies: a one-hour introduction to computer science. It is a grassroots campaign, aimed at showing children of all ages how much fun coding can be. You can start with a unicorn dance party, or do an hour of code that will help you create a 3D dinosaur game. Topics cover blocks, Python, JavaScript, HTML and even machine learning and artificial intelligence. The activities are divided according to age group and level – beginner or comfortable – and once you have finished with the Hour of Code, you can pursue further, more advanced activities. hourofcode.com

Academy of Code

The Cork-based Academy of Code caters for all abilities and experience, tailoring its camps for kids from age seven to 18. Delivered over Zoom, the classes include getting children started with block-based programming language Scratch, and familiarising them with web-development languages HTML, CSS and JavaScript, providing a decent foundation for further learning. Those who have experience with these languages can move on to more advanced projects. The classes are only 60 minutes, and cost €75.00 for a week. theacademyofcode.com

Khan Academy

The Khan Academy is a superb online learning resource for students of all ages. But aside from maths and science, it also has a decent section on computing, including lessons on different programming languages. You can start with a basic introduction to JavaScript, SQL, HTML and CSS, take more advanced lessons on those topics, or move on to computer science concepts such as algorithms and cryptography. khanacademy.org

Mimo

Available on IOS and Android, Mimo is an app that will teach you how to code. You can choose from a number of programming languages, from Python and SQL to JavaScript and basic HTML. It feels very Duolingo in approach, offering short lessons that teach you basic concepts and repeating them in different forms until they sink in. It also turns learning into a game. You get five lives that replenish over time, with each error you make costing you a life. You get rewarded for streaks, and the more experience points you gain, the higher you climb on the leader board. You can also earn coins over time to freeze your playing streaks, refill your lives to continue learning or gain more experience points. The free version of the app imposes some limits, but subscribing to Mimo Pro will get you unlimited lives, the complete course library and certificates when you complete courses. mimo.org

Swift Playgrounds

Apple’s coding app Swift Playgrounds gives you the space to experiment with the Swift programming language that was created by Apple. The app is designed for students starting out, requiring no coding knowledge, and presenting lessons in a fun and engaging way. Solve puzzles and master the basics, before moving on to interactive walk-throughs that introduce students to the building blocks of apps, and finally creating your own apps. apple.com/ie/swift/playgrounds/