So what is a Give Camp anyway?

  • A Give Camp is a way to contribute your time and skills to area charities.
  • A Give Camp is an event to meet with and hang out with technical people.
  • A Give Camp is a way to learn new technologies by working on a live project for a few days.

Charities often need software custom software, but don't have the money to hire someone to write that software.  One option they have is to submit their projects to a Give Camp.  The Give Camp organizers select projects that are well-defined and can be completed in a weekend.  Then, they invite software developers and other IT folks from the community to work on these projects.  They provide these folks a place to work and sleep and interact for a few days.  Give Camps typically kick off Friday evening and wrap up Sunday evening with completed projects delivered to charities.

The Lansing Give Camp takes place this weekend (April 24-26) at the Impression 5 Science Center in downtown Lansing, MI.  The organizers have selected projects from ten local charities, including The Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan and The Boys & Girls Club of Lansing. 

If you have skills in software development, design, databases, IT or project management, I encourage you to volunteer for this event.  Even if you don't have these skills, you can help with the event itself.  I'm brining my 14-year-old son to the Lansing Give Camp, where he will assist with setting up, cleaning up and anything else they need.

Because I'm speaking at the Kalamazoo X conference Saturday, I can only attend the Lansing Give Camp Friday and Sunday, but I'm very much looking forward to it.

You can get more information and register at http://www.lansinggivecamp.org/