Summer Holidays Code Camp in the Blue Mountains 🏔️
We’re excited to be running Code Camp in Blaxland this January. Calling all Mountain Coders — your adventure starts here!:
Location (planned):Blaxland Community Centre
Blaxland, NSW 2774
Dates (planned): to
Time: 9am to 4pm
Lunch: Lunch and morning tea provided
Camps
- Mon-Tue - Code Foundations
- Wed-Fri - Creative Coders
- Mon-Fri - From Beginner to Builder
Dates & Structure
| Program | Days | Who it suits | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code Foundations | Mon–Tue (Jan 19–20) | New coders (typically school years 4–6, in 2026) | Python fundamentals & creative mini-projects |
| Creative Coders | Wed–Fri (Jan 21–23) | Returning code warriors,or students with some coding experience (Years 6–9 in 2026) | Game development with Godot |
| From Beginner to Builder | Mon–Fri (Jan 19–23) | For highly motivated coders | Start with Python, finish with your own game |
What Students Learn
- Foundational coding concepts: variables, loops, functions, logic
- Building simple programs and games in Python
- Introduction to game creation with Godot
- Team challenges, design sessions, and unplugged coding games
Every student finishes camp with their own project and newfound confidence as a young developer.
Device Options
BYOD – Bring Your Own Device
Bring your own Windows or Mac Laptop, or your own Raspberry Pi 5. Note: please check the FAQ at the bottom of this page for specifications and setup requirements for personal devices.
PP5 – Purchase a PI5 (Raspberry Pi)
Build and program your own Raspberry Pi 5 computer, then take it home at the end of camp! The PP5 option includes a complete Raspberry Pi 5 kit, carefully selected for reliability and compatibility with our camp projects, and provided for each student to use and keep.
CD - Camp Device (limited availability)
For students who don’t have access to a laptop and prefer not to purchase a Pi 5, we have a limited number of Camp Devices available for use during camp.
Note: We use a lot of pair-based learning. If two friends or family members attend together they can share a single laptop or Pi.
Price
| Program | Duration Days | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Code Foundations | 2 days | $240 |
| Creative Coders | 3 days | $330 |
| From Beginner to Builder | 5 days | $520 |
| PP5 Raspberry Pi 5 cost addition | - | $220 |
Note: A limited number of sponsored seats are available for students who show a strong interest in coding but face financial barriers. If you’d like to learn more, please email Simon using the details on our Contact Page with a short note about your child’s interest in coding.
Safety & Supervision
All adult instructors hold valid Working With Children Checks. For some sessions, senior high-school students take the lead or provide one-on-one mentoring, bringing fresh peer-to-peer energy to the camp. These activities are always closely supervised by an experienced adult instructor.
Register
To secure your child’s place:
Camps will only run where there’s sufficient interest, so please register early to help confirm the Blaxland program.
The instructors
We’re fortunate to have two seasoned professionals — Philip Senger and Simon Forwood — leading the 2025 Summer Code Camps. Both bring deep experience from senior tech roles in Australia and overseas, and share a passion for programming, teaching, and mentoring. They’ll be joined by enthusiastic high school code warriors providing peer-to-peer guidance throughout the camp.
FAQ
Do students need coding experience?
Not at all! Our Code Foundations course is designed for complete beginners. We start with the basics and build confidence step by step, so every student can experience the fun of creating something with code.
Which program is right for my child?
Ref this section
Should students pack lunch?
No need. We provide lunch and morning tea.
Be sure to let us know if your child has any special dietary requirements or allergies.
For BYOD, what kind of device does my child need?
Students can bring a Windows 11 laptop or a Mac — both work great for our coding tools. Unfortunately, we can’t support Chromebooks or iPads as they don’t allow the software we use to be installed.
Please make sure your child can log in to their device using an account with permission to install software — we’ll help them set up what they need on the first day of camp.
Can two students share one device?
Yes — for many activities we encourage kids to work in pairs. Friends or siblings are welcome to work together on a single device.
Are you teaching any AI related topics?
In the Summer Creative Coders, we’ll introduce ways to use AI as a tool to support and enhance students’ coding — not replace it. Our main focus remains helping students build strong foundations and confidence in their own code.
Can students arrive earlier than 9am?
We'll be there from 8:30am, so students can arrive from 8:30am
Can my child attend only in the mornings or afternoons?
Whilst we don't provide an option for this on the registration or checkout forms, we may be able to support your particular schedule requirement. Contact Us to discuss this requirement.
