Summer Camp Teaches Kids to Code

SAN BERNARDINO >> Arrowhead United Way sponsored 70 rising 9th graders for a “Kids That Code” summer camp at Cal State University, San Bernardino from June 20 to June 23. The students came from San Bernardino city schools through a grant from Southern California Edison. “We are honored to give students the chance to get hands-on experience with computers and coding," said Doug Rowand, CEO and president of Arrowhead United Way. "We must prepare the next generation to succeed in a world that requires these STEM skills." “Kids That Code,” a summer camp founded by a student team at the CSUSB Inland Empire Center of Entrepreneurship, is a fun, interactive program that teaches students math, science, verbal and critical thinking skills through programs like Scratch, Minecraft, GameMaker, GameFroot, Web Design, MakeBot and more. “'Kids That Code' shares a common vision with Arrowhead United Way that is all about helping the future of the Inland Empire,” said Pat Person, company director of Kids That Code. “Technology can level the playing field and provide our kids access to new opportunities that did not exist even a few years ago.” Throughout the week, students learned different computer skills like animation, video creation and graphic design to help them build a fictional nonprofit website. Students ended the week with a presentation of their completed projects to their peers.