2026-2027 Season of West Sound CoderDojo

==== all events at Silverdale Library, Salish Room ====

WSCD SESSION INFORMATION

West Sound CoderDojo is not a formally-structured class. They are learning sessions where you can work on whatever you want given your interest and level. The “Ask three, then me” motto of CoderDojo is designed so ninjas can first conduct research to find an answer when they are stuck, then ask a peer, and only last ask a mentor (who has a more facilitative role). The ethos is to encourage self-motivation versus reliance on a mentor, instructor, or coach.

All ages and levels are welcome. Register for your FREE tickets and invite friends!

Annual Special Events: Raspberry Jam, Scratch Day, WSCD Birthday, Hour of Code/AI

We host the above events annually on our regularly scheduled Saturdays. Join us for fun, giveaways, and special guests and projects.

Child Safety

Review these keeping children safe at your online club slides from Raspberry Pi. They are safety rules observed at our in-person sessions.

COVID Safety

Individuals may choose to continue wearing a mask for personal or health reasons. Please be understanding, respectful, and considerate of individual choices to mask or not to mask.

Top Bullet Points About West Sound CoderDojo - PLEASE REVIEW

1. Minors (Ninjas) MUST be registered WITH a Parent/Guardian (or Volunteering Parent). NO EXCEPTIONS. Parents and minors must be together in ONE single registration.

2. Distinguish Same Names: If your child has the same first name as the parent/guardian, please include a suffix (Jr., Sr., III, IV, etc) or use a spelling variation to distinguish them (i.e., Kathryn and Kate).

3. Eventbrite is a self-serve tool. You are responsible for reviewing all instructions and registering properly. If you need to add or remove registrants or cancel because plans change, use the email link in your order confirmation to cancel your registration or create a new one if needed. We do not respond to emails asking us why your order auto-canceled or to add/remove registrants or cancel for you.

4. Bring a laptop. We only have a few donated loaners, so please don't just show up without letting us know you need one. One loaner per family.

5. Parent/Guardian must remain throughout the session. It's a great opportunity to learn with and/or help your ninja. If you need to leave early, the ninjas must go with you.

6. Everyone must register even if they are only coming for a short time or just observing. This is important for liability and security reasons.

7. Ethos: Familiarize yourselves with the Guiding Principles of CoderDojo. Kids will enjoy the experience if they (and parents) understand it's not a race or competition. All ages and skill levels are welcome!

8. Avoid no-shows or last-minute cancellations. Our space is more limited at the new location. We also use registration numbers to decide whether or not to proceed with a session and ask mentors to give their time. Use the registration link in your confirmation email to self-cancel your order. Multiple no-shows may be placed on a future wait list when registering.

9. Have fun, and Be Cool! This is important. We reserve the right to refuse entry or ban anyone who does not respect our guidelines, fellow ninjas, or volunteers.

NOTICE: You will be added to our mailing list for future announcements (average: 1-2x per week). If interested, join our West Sound CoderDojo (minors and parents) or West Sound Techies (adults only) groups on Facebook. West Sound CoderDojo and Kitsap Women in Tech pages on Facebook are public and you can like or follow at any time. Our website is another place to get info and updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS WEST SOUND CODERDOJO (WSCD)?

People choose projects, move at their own pace, get stuck, ask for help, teach one another, and try again. Coding is part of the story. So are AI, DIY, physical computing, design, collaboration, leadership and the confidence to make something that did not exist before.

Just curious people of all ages showing up to make things.

Do I need to be an expert?

No. Curiosity, patience and comfort sitting with someone who is stuck go a long way.

Is there formal training?

We orient new volunteers at their first session. Experienced mentors and returning attendees are around to help.

Can I bring my own kid?

Absolutely. Many mentors are parents, and building alongside your own child is part of what makes the room special.

What is the easiest first step?

Register for a session, choose the mentor or volunteer ticket that fits, and see how the room feels.

What do I need to bring?

A laptop running Windows, OSX (Mac), or Linux. 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 to connect to outlets.

Do you have loaners?

We have a few. 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?

A web browser and a text editor. Every operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux) comes with these installed.

Silverdale is too far, Can you host sessions in my community?

YOU can! The CoderDojo movement is an open-source movement. Anyone can start one at CoderDojo.com

What about Zoom sessions in addition to in person?

Maybe we'll bring those back in the future. For now, we're focused on in-person so particpants can interact in the spirit of the movement.