Montgomery Can Code, a free summer camp that teaches middle schoolers how to code, has entered the final week of its programs this year. The coding camp, which is in its sixth year of operations, hosted three weeklong coding boot camps, enrolling 820 MCPS students.
The program is a “unique and innovative public-private partnership” formed by Montgomery College, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), according to a press release. Apple also collaborated with the camp, in addition to several other local businesses.
“MCEDC is proud to partner with Apple and other county entities on Montgomery Can Code, which we have done since its inception. It’s such an important program that helps to prepare our next generation and increases the talent pipeline in our county,” said MCEDC President and CEO Bill Tompkins. “The demand for highly skilled workers in fields such as cybersecurity, app development, gaming, life sciences and hospitality technology is growing in the local job market. This unique program provides access to tools and industry skills that will be in demand and broadly utilized for years to come.”
Students receive instruction and hands-on experience with Swift, Apple’s open-source, user-friendly programming language, as part of the weeklong sessions. The program also emphasizes tackling real-world problems and developing problem-solving abilities.
Each boot camp culminates in a Student App Showcase event, which will occur after the camps have concluded. Students present their app solutions to local business leaders, displaying their skills and growth.
“The continued growth of Montgomery Can Code’s summer camps is a testament to the partnership between Montgomery County, MCPS, the private sector and the college as we look to chart the paths of our community with expert training in a booming IT field,” said Dr. Jermaine F. Williams, president of Montgomery College. “Coding camps for middle school-aged students are crucial for inspiring the next generation of innovators. These camps not only teach valuable technical skills but also foster creativity and problem-solving abilities that are essential in our rapidly evolving world.”
Photos courtesy of Montgomery Can Code, 2019
