CAMPBELL RIVER, BC – Campbell River’s first youth hackathon is coming up, and the city’s young people are ready for it.
According to Campbell River’s economic development officer Rose Klukas, the hackathon is asking youth to help the city increase its “youth friendliness”. As a social hackathon, the event won’t be focusing on technology alone, but it may factor into the students’ ‘ideas.
“The hackathon allows teams to get together to hash out a solution to this problem. They’ll be using technology both to solve the problem and to pitch and present a solution,” Klukas said.
Klukas said the city will be offering prizes. The top prize is $1, 000, the second place team will receive $600, and the third place team will receive $400.
“It’s a great opportunity to get out and connect with peers, and solve a problem that has been identified in Campbell River.”
Anna Bisonnette, the chair for the Youth Action Committee, said the social hackathon is a way for other young people in the city to come out, and not just the committee itself.
“We wanted to see what everybody can bring to the table. It’s a great opportunity for students in our community to have a say in what they envision for the city’s future,” Bisonnette said.
“Not everybody gets the opportunity to do this, but we’re happy that we’re able to provide it for everybody.”
Bisonnette added that there will be mentors at the hackathon, so students will have some guidance on refining their ideas.
“We have mentors coming from Vancouver and all over the place to help these students make their ideas become a reality.”
The Youth Action Committee includes student representatives from Carihi High, Timberline Secondary, Campbell River Christian School, and Robron. According to Bisonnette, the committe helps city council make decisions, provide input, as well as launch their own projects that they pitch to the council.
The social hackathon will be held at Campbell River’s Sportsplex on May 2nd and May 3rd.
