Jacksonville Code Camp 2005 Reflections
Jacksonville Code Camp 2005 Reflections
“What we learned and could do better next time.”
Introduction:
On August 27th 2005 JaxDug hosted Jacksonville's first ever Code Camp. The following is a reflection of what we learned. This is advice we would give to other user groups and are suggestions we intend to follow ourselves when planning future events.
Communication:
- Make sure due dates, task assignments, and expectations are clearly communicated.
- Exchange contact information. Relying on one form of communication such as email is a point of failure for important tasks.
- A final walkthrough/dress rehearsal will reduce the likelihood of surprises such as missing equipment.
Food:
- Overestimate lunch. Left over food can usually be donated to a shelter.
- Account for alternative diets such as Vegetarian and non-pork.
- Add dietary disclaimer to code camp site explaining what will be provided and near by dining alternatives.
- Serving breakfast is a good option b/c not everyone will choose to eat breakfast and it can double as a snack throughout the day.
- Offer orange juice if serving breakfast for this was a common request.
- Stock plenty of water.
- Simple white table clothes for the serving tables are a nice touch.
- Remember plastic knives to cut bagels if served.
- Remember plenty of paper plates and napkins.
- Have extra trash bags.
- Create a VIP/Speaker lounge for lunch.
- New speakers are often nervous; a red carpet treatment will go far.
- Treat speakers well and they will return.
- Good speakers make a good code camp.
- Have multiple food tables to keep the lines short.
Facilities and Registration:
- Keep rooms as close together as possible.
- Clearly mark where to park with signs.
- Potentially use balloons to indicate registration and parking areas.
- Printed name tags for those that pre-registered are a nice touch.
- Have available plenty of blank name tags for the unregistered.
- Assign a greeter role:
- Direct groups to breakfast
- Point out bathrooms
- Welcome them
- Start the Introduction/Keynote on time
- Potentially have an introduction in the morning and a keynote during the lunch hour w/ a big name speaker. This speaker would then not compete with the normal session but still act as a draw for the code camp.
Speakers and Scheduling:
- Prepare a speaker tip sheet including such items as:
- Must bring your own laptop, mouse, keyboard, etc.
- An overhead project will be provided.
- Assume no Internet connectivity is available.
- Saving a backup of your code and presentation to a thumb drive is recommended incase of equipment failure.
- Try to gather preliminary session interest to help schedule.
- Consider repeating popular sessions
Organization:
- Planning a code camp is a huge responsibility delegation and teamwork will go a long way.
- A well organized portal like web site help keep everyone informed.