What is Coderetreat?
By Ryan Castillo, guest blogger
Coderetreat is a day-long, intensive practice event, focusing on the fundamentals of software development and design. By providing developers the opportunity to take part in focused practice, away from the pressures of ‘getting things done’, the coderetreat format has proven itself to be a highly effective means of skill improvement. Practicing the basic principles of modular and object-oriented design, developers can improve their ability to write code that minimizes the cost of change over time.
Facilitating a Coderetreat
Coderetreat is so easy a caveman can do it. No, seriously. This is especially true for the Global Day of Coderetreat. Corey and Jim Hurne (a coderetreat superstar) have set it up so anyone (including people who have never come to a coderetreat) can facilitate and host one. You get a checklist of things you need to have done by and what day. You get people willing to teach you and support you when you have questions and concerns. And even a step by step list of things you need to do the day of coderetreat.
I took advantage of all these things and the day went off without any major issues or problems.
What’s in it for me?
I loved to see the growth and light clicking in some of the developer’s eyes as the day passed. We covered topics such as throwing away code, pairing design and testing. I found early on the group wasn’t familiar with TDD so I made it a goal for the day to challenge them in this aspect.
Everyone loved the experience and left the event with a number of new friends and practices to try out at work.
So what are you waiting for? No matter where you are in journey as a developer there is a ton you can pick up from attending or facilitating a coderetreat. Find a coderetreat event today!
My thanks to our Norfolk, Virginia, Global Day of Coderetreat (Saturday, December 8, 2012) sponsors xTuple and BootStrap Hero as well as to the 757 Creative Space for letting us host the event in their space. Each of these organizations are filled with awesome people and if you’re interested in getting involved in the Hampton Roads area you should check them out.
BIO — Ryan Castillo is a San Diego, California, native and formerly a software developer at We Are Titans, one of the many startup entrepreneurs flocking to the innovation corridor of downtown Norfolk, Virginia. After studying Computer Science and Physics, he earned his Masters of Science in Bioinformatics from Virgnia Commonwealth University. Ryan is the founder of Challenge Accepted LLC and the Norfolk, Virginia, facilitator for Coderetreat. Find Ryan Castillo on Facebook.
Missy Schmidt
Since early 2012, Missy has directed marketing for xTuple business management software, including the global user conference, inbound and outbound content marketing, lead generation, sales campaigns, website design and digital strategies. She has ties to the business and economic development, startup and entrepreneurial communities in Virginia and nationally. Prior to joining xTuple, Missy was VP of strategic communication and marketing for Hampton Roads Partnership, a public-private corporation that worked to improve the region's economy within the international marketplace. Before that, Missy spent 25+ in sales, including product development, within the industries of telecommunications, retail, industrial food service, government contracting, contract packaging and manufacturing. Missy holds a B.S. from James Madison University. She and her husband, Bert, who is president and CEO of WHRO Public Media, reside in the "innovation corridor" of downtown Norfolk.