Coding Classes - A Couple of Free Options

My boys, like many teens and pre-teens, are interested in video games, computer games, and robotics.  Summer camps that address these interests tend to be more expensive than my budget allows, so this summer I have discovered several options for learning coding at home.  None of my friends have ever mentioned the word "coding" in "What to do with the kids this summer" conversations, yet I know they are always looking for new ideas.

The easiest place to start is www.code.org.  

Create a free account and take classes on a variety of topics:

Tutorials for Beginners
-Write Your First Computer Program
-Create a Holiday Card with "Scratch"
-Build Your Own Game (Tynker)
-Lightbot
-AppInventor Hour of Code

Tutorials That Teach JavaScript
-An Introduction to JavaScript (KhanAcademy)
-Codecademy
-Learn to Code with Karel the Dog
-Build a Game with JavaScript (Code Avengers)
-Code Combat

"Unplugged" Computer Science for people who don't have a device handy.  


I found a great option for teachers through www.Edmodo.com.  As a teacher, I was able to download the free "Coding Made Easy" app from LearnStreet. 

 I assigned the apps (which include Python, Ruby, and JavaScript) to the class or "group" I set up.  For summer "at home camp" purposes, I invited some of my friends to create student accounts for their children.  I invited those children along with my own to join our class so they could access the courses.  After the students complete the courses, there are dozens of projects they can create from Minesweeper to Sudoku games!

Check out these links for more options, and please add any you know about in the comments section below!  
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/coding-apps-and-websites

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/7-apps-teaching-children-coding-anna-adam

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hopscotch-programming-designed/id617098629?mt=8

http://readwrite.com/2013/04/19/how-to-raise-the-next-zuck-6-coding-apps-for-kids#awesm=~oILDugO83dFmHK

http://www.graphite.org/blog/12-best-apps-and-websites-for-learning-programming-and-coding