FAQs — Quincy Coders

⚠️ Important: Before Your First Class

Please download Scratch and Tinkercad onto your child's laptop and create accounts before the first session. If you need help, arrive 15 minutes early and someone will assist you.

→ Create a Scratch account · → Create a Tinkercad account

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Enrollment & Requirements

Is experience needed for my child to attend?

No experience is required for our sessions — just the willingness to focus, learn, and bring a fully charged laptop!

What if my child doesn't like computers or coding?

There is no obligation to stay enrolled in our sessions. It may take a few attendances to adapt to a new skill or to acclimate to a new surrounding — and that's completely okay.

Can any child enroll?

Children of any age can enroll, provided they can stay seated independently. However, sessions are generally most suitable for grades 4–8. Please invite a friend — children learn better alongside someone they can bond with!

What is required for my child to enroll?

Fill in our online enrollment form and you will receive the next available schedule when it is distributed. Both Scratch and Tinkercad accounts are required to be set up on your child's laptop prior to attending the first session. Your child's own laptop is required — please come prepared!

Do I have to be a Quincy resident?

No — we welcome all our neighbors outside of Quincy! The program is open to children from all surrounding communities.

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Scheduling & Availability

We're interested but have scheduling conflicts. Will there be alternate availabilities?

Yes — please enroll your child anyway. There is an option at the end of the enrollment form to share what day(s) are preferred. While we likely can't meet everyone's individual needs immediately, this information is important as we hope to expand our availability in the future.

How can I enroll if enrollment is currently closed?

Thank you for your interest! Please add your child to the waitlist. We thank you for your patience — we hope to get to our waitlist as quickly as possible. Our resources are limited but we want to offer every child a chance to try our program.

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Logistics & Cost

How much does it cost?

Quincy Coders is completely free for all students. We are volunteer-run and rely on community donations to keep the program going. If you're able, please consider donating to support our work.

What laptop does my child need?

We recommend a Windows laptop, but for most events a laptop with a modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) is adequate. Chromebooks generally work for Scratch and Tinkercad. iPads/tablets are not recommended. Please make sure the laptop is fully charged before each session.

Where are sessions held?

We hold sessions at multiple locations in and around Quincy, MA — primarily at BCNC and PEPO community spaces. Check the Calendar for specific locations and times.

Still Have Questions?