What is Bitcamp?
Bitcamp is a place for exploration. You will have 36 hours to delve into your curiosities, learn something new, and make something awesome. With world-class mentors and 1,000+ fellow campers, you're in for an amazing time. 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, we'll see you by the campfire!
Our History
The idea of Bitcamp was conceived by a group of UMD students back in 2013. “Camp” represented an event that evoked togetherness, warmth, and adventure. “Bit” was the embodiment of tech. Bit+camp = Bitcamp! The first ever Bitcamp focused on the idea of YOU+TECH, where participants (“Bitcampers”) were encouraged to take something they loved and fuse it with technology. The team focused on collaboration, fun, and a commitment to the Bitcamp experience, which are all values we carry forward today.
The Campfire Games
The Campfire Games is a brand new way to learn, grow, and build with the Bitcamp Community. At the start of this year's event, you will join one of three teams based on your personality and interests—joining forces with hackers from around the world! By winning unique challenges, attending workshops, and participating in mini-events, you'll rack up points for your team. At the end of Bitcamp, members of the winning team will receive limited edition Bitcamp Apparel. Find your community, develop your team identity, and collaborate on something bigger than yourself: #ExploreTogether
Colorwar
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! Stay tuned on our social media platforms for more information on how to enter, starting in March!
Eligibility
Everyone who applied and was admitted to Bitcamp is eligible to submit their project! Your team can include up to (or less than) four members.
Requirements
Make your project, submit your hack to Devpost, submit the Devpost lin to our virtual platform, and attend the Bitcamp expo to show off what you built. You must demo at the expo and submit on Devpost in order to be eligible for prizes.
Prizes
$6,020 in prizes
Best Use of Courier - Courier
Teams must use Courier as part of their project. Projects with the most creative and comprehensive use of Courier are functional to some extent and prove you're understanding of Courier's platform and API.
♚ A Prize Pack valued at over $1,000 that includes a PS5, AirPods Pro, and more.
Best Hack Promoting Expansion of Education Opportunities - Bloomberg LP
Anything related to philanthropy and the expansion of education opportunities; aka something that enables individuals to acquire knowledge, specific skills, etc.
♚ Bose Waterproof Portable Speakers
Best Use of ArcGIS Technology - Esri
We are looking for content, APIs, and analytical tools using ArcGIS technology. It should be something that can be used every day, serves a strong, compelling case, and be very thorough and explanatory. We’re looking for innovative and inspiring.
♚ Esri cloud credits valued at $1500
Most Visionary - T. Rowe Price
This will be awarded to the project that has the most aspirational goals, this winning hack will be the most difficult to pull off in-time etc. but was otherwise a great idea. We think 2021 is the year of BIG IDEAS and we can’t wait to see what your hack will bring!
♚ The winning team will be invited to a Mentoring Session with T. Rowe Price Global Technology and an accelerated opportunity to interview in the fall.
Best Hardware Hack - Bitcamp
The most creative, technical, and innovative use of circuitry, electronics, or microcontrollers in a hack.
♚ Each member of the winning team will receive a Raspberry Pi Kit.
Best "Bitcamp" Hack - Bitcamp
(2)
The most creative, innovative, and imaginative hack that makes us go "WOW".
♚ 1st place will receive a Hammock.
♚ 2nd place will receive a Camping/Travel Utensil kit.
Best First Time Hack - Bitcamp
The Best Hack by a First Time Hacker that shows the most individual growth. Were you able to learn a new skill at Bitcamp and apply it to your project? You must have at least one first time hacker in your team to be eligible for this prize.
♚ Each member of the winning team will receive a Hydro Flask!
Most Entertaining Hack - Bitcamp
Make us go teehee!
♚ Each member of the winning team will receive a Portable Projector!
Best UI/UX - Bitcamp
The Best UX/UI design from the weekend. Factors considered will be innovation, aesthetics, service to the project/challenge, and the process.
♚ Each member of the winning team will receive a JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth Speaker.
Exploration Trail - MCWIC
(4)
Formerly known as the Research Track, submit here if you are a part of this program!
Best Domain Registered with Domain.com - MLH
Register a .tech domain name using Domain.com during the weekend. Each team may submit one entry per person on the team. Each winning team member will receive a PowerSquare Qi Wireless Phone Charger & Domain.com Backpack.
♚ PowerSquare Qi Wireless Phone Charger & Domain.com Backpack
Best use of Google Cloud - MLH
Build your hackathon project with a suite of secure storage, powerful compute, and integrated data analytics products provided by Google Cloud. See full list of products here: g.co/cloud. Each winning team member located in the US will receive a Google Cloud Swag Bag complete with a beanie, pillow, journal, socks and lanyards. International winners will receive a Google branded backpack.
♚ Google Cloud Swag Bag. International winners will receive a Google branded backpack.
Best Hardware Hack Sponsored by Digi-Key - MLH
(2)
Using your preferred hardware or hardware emulator, build a hack for your chance to win a Grove Beginner Kit, with an embedded Arduino compatible board. 1 prize for each winning team member with 2 winning teams per event!
♚ Grove Beginner Kit
Pinnacle Hack Winner - Bitcamp
Submit a hack to this category to be considered for Pinnacle, the Olympics of Hackathons. More information can be found here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lrdf0eiIpkupWwFf7yO3ExZGmkaST_AW/view and on our website at https://pinnacle.us.org/. All team members must be at least 18 years old.
♚ Tickets to Pinnacle, the Olympics of Hackathons, in Fall 2021. Full travel reimbursement to the event in San Francisco included.
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Bitcamp's Panel of Judges
Applicable Sponsors
Judging Criteria
-
Technical Difficulty
Is the hack technically interesting or difficult? Is it just some lipstick on an API, or were there real technical challenges to surmount? -
Originality
Is the hack more than just another generic social/mobile/local app? Does it do something entirely novel, or at least take a fresh approach to an old problem? -
User Experience
Is the hack usable in its current state? Is the user experience smooth? Does everything appear to work? Is it well designed?
Tell your friends
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.