Coding Camp Shines at Mercy Street Leadership Institute

At Bold Idea, we believe that creating real opportunity for students takes a village. And this summer, our partnership with Mercy Street proved just how powerful community collaboration can be.

Summer is a critical window for learning, especially in under-resourced communities like West Dallas. Thanks to Mercy Street’s deep roots and trusted relationships, we were able to meet students where they are and inspire what’s possible.

Together, we’re not just teaching code; we’re building futures. We're grateful for our community partners who share our belief in the power of potential, and we look forward to deepening this work year-round.

This summer, five high school students participated in Bold Idea’s Coding Camp as part of the STEM Workshop track within Mercy Street’s eight-week Leadership Institute. Guided by senior intern Michael Browne, the students explored coding fundamentals, developed creative projects, and earned digital badges for their accomplishments along the way.

Reflecting on his experience, Michael shared:

“Learning how to code and actually walking through the modules step by step was a very informative and exciting experience. Teaching my junior interns and seeing the results of their hard work made this summer partnering with Bold Idea worthwhile.”

The students had the opportunity to showcase their hard work during the Mercy Street Leadership Institute Banquet on July 29th. They presented their final projects to an audience of peers, family, and community members. The junior interns demonstrated not only their growth as coders, but also as young leaders in STEM.

We’re proud of the incredible work these students accomplished and grateful to Mercy Street for creating a space where leadership and innovation thrive.