Hootsuite headquarters hosting kids CodeCamp this weekend in Vancouver

Powell: "Both Ryan and I believe that digital literacy is so important for young people, and schools simply aren’t teaching it yet." — Powell: “Both Ryan and I believe that digital literacy is so important for young people, and schools simply aren’t teaching it yet.”

What do your kids have planned this weekend? Maybe playing Assassin’s Creed? Grand Theft Auto? Titanfall?

How about an activity that relates directly to all of those and teaches them a skill that many thought leaders think will be increasingly important to their adulthood?

At social media innovator Hootsuite’s headquarters in Vancouver this weekend, non-profit group The Next Big Thing will host a two day CodeCamp for kids. More than 150 youth from grades 10-12 will begin to learn the basics of coding and web development. On day one, the kids will be introduced to HTML and CSS syntax. Day two focuses on Ruby.

Powell told The Georgia Straight this week that she believes coding is still an overlooked skill in the traditional school curriculum.

“Both Ryan and I believe that digital literacy is so important for young people, and schools simply aren’t teaching it yet,” she said. Providing a resource for young people to understand coding is very important, and we’re doing it for free this summer.

The Next Big Thing Foundation, founded by Hootsuite CEO Ryan Holmes and entrepreneur Meredith Powell is a non-profit organization aimed at empowering young innovators. The organization says that it will directly fund 10 startups this year.

Registration for the two-day program is here. The camp will also feature a live stream for those who can’t attend in person.