Bitcamp 2020 has been cancelled due to COVID-19. Learn more.
Dear Bitcamp Community,
Due to the emerging severity of COVID-19 in communities across the United States, we regret to inform you that Bitcamp 2020 has been cancelled.
To all of our sponsors, hackers, and volunteers: we appreciate your patience and cooperation during this difficult time. We express our deepest apologies to all those who were looking forward to this year’s event.
We are grateful for the Bitcamp community’s unwavering support - Bitcamp would not be what it is today without you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].
Thank you, and we hope to see you all by the campfire at Bitcamp 2021!
Sincerely,
The Bitcamp Team
Bitcamp is a 36 hour hackathon and the prime opportunity to delve into your curiosities, learn something new, and build something awesome. With world-class mentors and 1,200+ fellow campers, you're in for an amazing experience. Whether you're a seasoned hacker or completely new to the world of hacking, we'll have something for you. If you're ready for an adventure, see you by the fire!
"A total of 200 hacks were submitted by students (the largest amount in Bitcamp history) that demonstrate the ability to launch what could be the basis for a new product or company in a condensed timeframe. Some highlighted projects from the event include: A VR air traffic controller simulation, where trainees can report a potential crash through an Amazon Echo, An AR human skill pong (built by a team of UMD students), an Uber for intoxicated individuals in which designated drivers may be requested through the mobile app and a person's location will be added to the designated driver's queue, and a pet robot built with arudino and sensors to wag its tail when pet and go to sleep when the lights are off."
Words from A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Ever wanted to learn more about hacking with hardware? Hardware Village is a place where you can explore and learn cool things like soldering wires, building circuits, and programming micro-controllers. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned pro, there will be something available for everyone! Volunteers will be on deck at all times to show you the ropes and be well equipped with all your electronics needs.
Watch the film
Colorwar is a rapid-fire live-design competition and one of the highlights of Bitcamp. Compete in our online design challenge for a chance to draw in front of a live audience at Bitcamp for some cool prizes!
Learn more
Through this program, you will have the opportunity to submit a portfolio of your design work for the chance to participate in Bitcamp as a designer. You will act as a mentor and contributor to multiple teams at the event, while developing a portfolio of your designs (your Bitfolio) which will be judged at the end of the hackathon by design professionals.
Bitcamp is a hackathon that values participant experience and mentorship over competitiveness and points. Come to have fun with your friends, learn something new, eat s'mores, and have a generally awesome time. We have all sorts of crazy activities planned for you...come find out the rest!
No prior experience is required to attend Bitcamp. Exciting workshops and helpful mentors will give you the resources to help you build your dream project. Just come with your head and a willingness to learn!
No idea? No team? No problem! There will be dedicated events during Bitcamp for idea creation and team formations.
If you are currently attending high school and are above 14 years of age, you are more than welcome to attend Bitcamp with a legal chaperone! Fill out this form if you are interested in attending. For any additional questions, reach out to us at [email protected].
Although Bitcamp is a hackathon, there is no requirement to hack if you don't want to. If hacking isn't your thing, you can still participate in our exciting workshops and fun mini-events.
We'd love to get you on our volunteering or mentoring teams! If you'd like to help, please fill out our mentor form or our volunteer form. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates!
Admittance into Bitcamp will be going out on a rolling basis.
Unless you're a minor, you're free to leave Bitcamp at any time and come back when you want to. Just make sure to keep the wristband you received upon entry to Bitcamp on your person!
Any college student, recent college graduate (within the last year), or high school student (with a legal chaperone) is more than welcome to apply to Bitcamp.
Projects are submitted by teams to DevPost. You don't need to finalize your team until project submissions are due during the event. You may work individually or in a team of up to four campers. Don't have a team in mind? No problem! Bitcamp will kick off with an optional team formation event.
If you miss the initial check-in time, that's okay! Just make sure to check-in at the entrance of the Xfinity Center when you're ready to enter Bitcamp.
Bring yourself, a photo ID, your signed waiver (if applicable), a change of clothes, toiletries, a sleeping bag/blanket, your hacker setup (laptop, charger, headphones, tablet for designers), and maybe an idea or two!
People not registered for Bitcamp will not be allowed entrance to the hackathon.
Don't bring any firearms, knives, weapons, drugs, or alcohol. Don't use an old project. Start a new trail instead! Also, please read the Major League Hacking Code of Conduct and the Bitcamp Terms, Code of Conduct, and Release Waiver. Organizers will enforce this code throughout the event. We are expecting cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe environment for everybody (TL;DR be a good person).
Throughout the event, we will be using Slack as the main form of communication. Never used Slack before? Here's a quick introduction!
We'll have buses covering the hike from many colleges. If there are many registered campers from one specific college, we will try to have a bus for it. We will not be able to reimburse individual travel expenses this year. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
After the 36 hours, you'll be submitting your project to DevPost for judging! New to Devpost? Here's a quick introduction!
We are proud to host Bitcamp at the Xfinity Center on the University of Maryland campus! This expansive sports arena is a unique spot for any event, and we're excited to be back again! You can park in the parking lots in front of the Xfinity Center during the hackathon.
From Augmented Reality Human-Scale Pong to a research paper detailing vulnerabilities in Google's reCaptcha system, the projects at Bitcamp span across all categories and interests. You can check out all of the amazing submissions at the Bitcamp 2019 Devpost!
Participants will arrive between 6PM and 8PM on Friday, April 3rd, 2020. Our Sponsor Fair will also be at 7PM, where you can spend time going around and check out our different sponsor booths. Hacking starts Friday evening after opening ceremony. Closing ceremony will begin at 3PM on Sunday, April 5th, 2020. For a better idea of the flow of the event, check out our schedule from Bitcamp 2019!
Arduinos, sensors (ultrasonic, photoresistors, thermisters), inputs (buttons, switches), outputs (LEDs, piezo speakers, 7-segment displays, micro servo motors), passive components (resistors, capacitors, diodes), and wiring.
Just email us at [email protected]
Workshops
Travel
Sponsors