Use this guide to prepare for and facilitate The After Party—KWK's evening session where scholars get extra support, practice skills, and connect after camp closes. Reference it for structure, logistics, facilitation tips, and Zoom setup guidance.
The After Party (formerly Office Hours) is KWK's 60-minute evening session that happens after camp closes each day. It's optional for scholars, but we want to create an experience so fun and supportive that they actually want to come.
The After Party serves three goals:
- Provide additional and differentiated support on the day's content
- Help scholars consolidate and synthesize their learning
- Continue building community and scholar confidence
Before the After Party Session
Review the activity thoroughly
Practice running through any coding exercises yourself
Coordinate with your co-facilitator on who’s leading the activity
Make sure you have access to the After Party Zoom link before your session
If you're using the VCC's login, confirm you have the recovery code
Start the meeting a few minutes early to make sure everything is working
Have your review activity materials ready and shared before scholars join
Facilitating the Review Activity (First 30 Min)
During the first week of camp, the first 30 minutes of The After Party are structured around a planned review activity connected to what scholars learned that day.
Review Activity Resources
The review activities for each day of the first week are pre-planned and linked below. Review yours in advance so you're prepared to facilitate.
Web Development
Day | Review Activity | Content Connection |
Day 1 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Day 2 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Day 3 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Day 4 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Day 5 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Data Science
Day | Review Activity | Content Connection |
Day 1 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Day 2 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Day 3 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Day 4 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Day 5 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
AI/ML
Day | Review Activity | Content Connection |
Day 1 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Day 2 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Day 3 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Day 4 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Day 5 | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Note: Review activities are only provided for Days 1-5 (Week 1). During Week 2, The After Party shifts to open Q&A and Capstone Project work time.
During the Review Activity
- Set the tone first. Welcome scholars and set expectations: "Tonight's After Party starts with a fun activity! Then we'll open it up for questions and work time.” Make it clear this is a fun, no-pressure space. Encourage questions at any point!
- Facilitate, don't lecture. This is the second time scholars are seeing this content. Limit your teacher talk and let scholars do the thinking and practicing. If scholars are working and engaged, that's a sign you're doing it right. Step back and let them dig in!
- Be flexible. If scholars have questions that pull you off the planned activity, it's okay to adjust. The activity is a guide, not a rigid script. Read the room and respond to what scholars actually need.
Facilitating Open Q&A (Last 30 Min)
The last 30 minutes are open and scholar-driven. Scholars can ask questions, collaborate on spicy challenges, or continue working on whatever they need!
How to Facilitate Open Q&A
- Let scholars guide the session. Ask: "What do you want to work on or ask about tonight?” Don't plan for this half! Let scholars tell you what they need.
- Keep it relaxed. This half should feel casual and supportive. Scholars should feel free to ask questions without judgment! No silly questions here.
- Encourage collaboration. If multiple scholars are working on the same thing, pair them up! Scholars can learn a lot from each other and form strong connections during this time.
- Use breakout rooms to divide and conquer. If multiple scholars have different questions or are working on different things, open breakout rooms to provide more focused support. One IL should always stay in the main room to greet any scholars who join late.
Week 2: Capstone Work Time
During the second week of camp, The After Party shifts structure. There is no planned Review Activity. Instead, the full 60 minutes is open Q&A and work time focused on Capstone Projects. Encourage scholars to come even if they don't have a specific question. Sometimes working alongside others is motivation enough and they’ll have support available if they run into any challenges!
Making It Feel Like a Party 🥳
The name "After Party" isn't just a fun name—it should actually feel like one! Here are ways to create a fun, welcoming vibe:
- Make it feel different from camp. Have music playing in the background as scholars join! Let scholars chat and socialize a bit before diving in. Don’t be rigid about structure! Let it flow naturally.
- Let it be social. The After Party is a great place for scholars to bond with each other. Protect the unplanned time and allow scholars to connect naturally. If scholars are chatting and laughing, that's a good sign!
- Celebrate participation. Make it clear that showing up to The After Party is a sign of curiosity and dedication! Call out scholars who ask great questions or help each other.
Zoom Logistics
The After Party has its own Zoom meeting link, separate from the regular camp Zoom. The KWK team will provide this link at the start of camp, and it stays the same throughout, even though different ILs facilitate each night. The VCC is the Zoom host for all After Party meetings and will manage host access for whichever IL is facilitating that evening.
Signing Up
All ILs are expected to facilitate 1-3 After Parties over the course of camp.
Each After Party is led by 2 ILs with one taking the lead for the review activity and the other facilitating the Q&A. During the whole team Collaboration Meeting, you’ll sign up for specific After Party session dates.
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