In June, the UH Campus Store hosted campers from the DesignYOU! Code Camp at the store as part of a camp field trip. The Campus Store staff prepared various activities for the students, helping them learn the meaning of SKU numbers through a store scavenger hunt, how the checkout process works, how the staff uses software to manage inventory and ordering, and the importance of visual merchandising. 

One student stated, “I never really thought about coding and technology being needed to manage a store.”   

DesignYOU! Code Camp is a tuition-free camp generously funded by the Texas Workforce Commission for middle school students at underserved area schools. The camp focuses on the connection between coding and the fashion and retail industry. 

Throughout the camp, students participated in coding projects and team-building activities, spent time with professionals in the field, and experienced a bit of campus life. 

One parent stated, “This was a different type of coding camp. Yes, they learned how to code, but they also learned how it can be applied to real-life interests.” 

“I deeply appreciate the UH Campus Store management and staff for their involvement and commitment to the camp’s mission. Middle school students are a high-energy age group, and they were ready for us with fun and engaging activities to help them learn,” said Susan Schroeder, camp coordinator and lecturer/program coordinator of Human Development and Consumer Sciences in the Technology Division of the Cullen College of Engineering. 

“Their service exemplifies the University of Houston’s mission, vision, and values statements in action. In a brief, but impactful field trip, they broadened the world and its possibilities for our campers in our communities, through education and service in a real-world setting. Way to go, COOGS!”