Montgomery Can Code Summer Camp Enrolls 820 Students in its Sixth Year

Montgomery Can Code, a unique and innovative public-private partnership formed by Montgomery College, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC)—in collaboration with Apple—is wrapping up a successful first week of this year’s summer camp program. The program offers middle school students in Montgomery County an exciting opportunity to learn computer coding.

“Montgomery Can Code exemplifies our county's dedication to equipping students with vital skills for their futures,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “This program immerses middle school students in computer coding, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities essential for today’s digital landscape. That is why my team and I worked so hard to facilitate this collaboration with Montgomery College, MCPS, MCEDC and Apple and we're preparing our young residents to meet the growing demands of the tech industry. The experiences and knowledge gained from this camp will inspire many of our students to pursue careers in technology, strengthening the innovative spirit of Montgomery County. I hope to see this program continue to grow, expand and serve more students in years to come.”

This summer, 820 MCPS students are participating in the Montgomery Can Code camps. Three weeklong camps will be held, which kicked off on July 15, with in-person camps for the first two weeks and a virtual one for the final week. During the sessions, campers can apply their knowledge tackling real-world problems and fostering their problem-solving abilities. Students receive hands-on experience with Swift, Apple’s open-source, user-friendly programming language.

The engaging sessions of Montgomery Can Code are led by expert instructors trained in Swift code at Montgomery College’s ignITe Hub. Each student is provided with a loaner iPad and a Montgomery Can Code t-shirt. Upon completion of the camp, participants will be awarded a certificate of completion, recognizing their achievement and commitment to learning.

“MCEDC is proud to partner with Apple and other county entities on Montgomery Can Code, which we have done since its inception. It’s such an important program that helps to prepare our next generation and increases the talent pipeline in our county,” said MCEDC President and CEO Bill Tompkins. “The demand for highly skilled workers in fields such as cybersecurity, app development, gaming, life sciences and hospitality technology is growing in the local job market. This unique program provides access to tools and industry skills that will be in demand and broadly utilized for years to come.”

Students will showcase their app solutions in a Student App Showcase event, which will take place after the conclusion of the camps. This event offers a platform for students to present their innovative ideas to local business leaders, fostering interaction and adding a real-world element to their experience. By exposing students to coding at an early stage, the Montgomery Can Code program provides them with a valuable advantage for the future.

“The continued growth of Montgomery Can Code’s summer camps is a testament to the partnership between Montgomery County, MCPS, the private sector and the college as we look to chart the paths of our community with expert training in a booming IT field,” said Dr. Jermaine F. Williams, president of Montgomery College. “This summer, in fact, the college has an MCC camp alum who is now a part-time faculty member teaching at the camp. Coding camps for middle school-aged students are crucial for inspiring the next generation of innovators. These camps not only teach valuable technical skills but also foster creativity and problem-solving abilities that are essential in our rapidly evolving world.”

Visit Montgomery Can Code for more information, including updates on future afterschool camps.