Coding Pirates Game Jam brings children aged 10-17 together for an exciting 24-hour coding competition where teams create games, fostering creativity, collaboration, and technical skills in a supportive community environment.
Coding Pirates Game Jam originated in Denmark as part of the broader Coding Pirates movement, which focuses on making coding accessible and fun for young people. The competition format encourages participants to push their creative boundaries while learning from peers and mentors.
Events typically run from Saturday 10:00 AM to Sunday 4:00 PM, with participants staying overnight at the venue. Teams are formed randomly to encourage new friendships and diverse skill mixing. A panel of judges evaluates games based on creativity, technical execution, and teamwork.
The volunteer-to-participant ratio of 1:4 ensures personalised support and maintains safety standards. All volunteers undergo background checks and follow strict child protection policies. Many former participants return as volunteers, creating a sustainable community cycle.
Successful Game Jams often lead to ongoing coding clubs and regular meetups, extending the impact beyond the initial weekend. The Coding Pirates network provides ongoing support for organisers and helps connect local events to the broader movement across Denmark.
Time:
The event runs over two full days (usually a weekend) and your team can invest in as much training as they want beforehand – it's a competition! After the event, we encourage teams to start coding and learning together, which could be a kind of two-hour club workshop
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