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Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, Director of Parks and Recreation Ian Smith, Demond May, IT Director for the City, and Deanna Bledsoe, Founder and CEO of Kai Coders, are pleased to announce the successful conclusion of a FREE, two-week coding program for City children aged 6 to 13, which took place at the William “Hicks” Anderson Community Center from August 6 –16.  

More than thirty campers participated in the inaugural programming session, which was made possible through a partnership between the City of Wilmington and Kai Coders, a local woman- and minority-owned small business. To celebrate the program’s conclusion, a showcase of the students’ projects was held on Friday, August 16, in the computer lab at the “Hicks” Community Center, 501 North Madison Street. At the event, which was attended by family members and representatives from Kai Coders and the City, students showed off their coding projects as well as their newfound passion for coding. The City of Wilmington’s IT Department provided lunch for the campers.

“We continue to seek out new ways to prepare our young people for success in the 21st century,” said Mayor Purzycki. “This initiative aims to spark interest in computer programming, build confidence, and create a welcoming and safe environment for children to explore the exciting world of technology. With a curriculum tailored to even the youngest participants, the program introduced these children to the fundamentals of coding, equipping them with essential 21st-century skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration – all skills that are crucial for success in today’s digital age and which will empower them to become active participants in shaping the world around them.”

Deanna Bledsoe founded Kai Coders in 2021. The company partners with schools and other education organizations to provide hassle-free tech education to children.  According to Bledsoe, Kai Coders pushes the boundaries of possibility and redefines what it means for kids to learn, innovate, and become creators of tech no matter their background or zip code."We're all about making coding fun and accessible for every kid, no matter where they live! It’s like watching a lightbulb go on when they realize they can code just about whatever they can imagine. We feel honored to be part of their journey!", said Bledsoe.“

Parks and Recreation is appreciative of the partnership with the IT Department in bringing Kai Coders to our summer camp experience,” said Parks Director Smith. “The youth participated in programming that will truly prepare them for the future, and we look forward to future endeavors involving Kai Coders.”

“We are committed to fostering digital literacy and creating opportunities for our youth,” said Demond May, Director of the city’s IT department. “This program is a prime example of how public-private partnerships can make a significant impact on our community.”

Paul Ford Jr.

Director of Communications

City of Wilmington, Office of the Mayor

Phone: (302) 576-2111

Email: plford@wilmingtonde.gov