The Velocity Bootcamp Report

On the wake of the new semester, Velocity Bootcamp rode in this week with a wave of exciting icebreakers, events, activities, presentations, and workshops. Officially kicking off on Monday, September 8th, this year’s Bootcamp saw 13 returning residents and introduced 57 newcomers to the Velocity Residence. The Velocity team seamlessly put together a whole a week of engaging fun for the induction of the Fall 2014 students into the list of people who can proudly call themselves “Velocitizens”.

Starting on Monday, Bootcamp Day 1 began with a warm welcome to Velocity from the Director, Mike Kirkup, along with a warm meal provided by Holy Guacamole. After the delicious dinner, the night continued with a giant round of Speed Dating, giving the residents a chance to network and get to know their new housemates. The night was a great success filled with plenty of new names, new relationships, laughter, and ending with more anticipation for the rest of the week.

Last night, the fun continued into Bootcamp Day 2, but down a more structured route. The residents began the first part of their entrepreneur training by participating in a Problem Session & Brainstorming night. The residents took part in an evening of brainstorming problems, solutions, inventions and giving short pitches of their ideas to their peers. Designed to give the residents a taste of being an entrepreneur, it also quickly became another night of laughter and memorable moments. From last night’s pitches we got to see just how incredibly creative and intelligent the Velocity Residents are.

With an unbelievable start to this year’s Bootcamp, the adventure continues tonight and throughout the next four days. Tonight on Bootcamp Day 3, the residents get to partake in the infamous “What’s Your Problem?” session led by the even more infamous UW Professor, Larry Smith. Tomorrow, the group will get to use some of the most advanced technology on the market on Day 4’s Tech Night. Bootcamp Day 5 is jam-packed with more food and the “Just Build Something” workshop run by Mike Kirkup, where the students are given the chance to get extremely creative and build anything their minds can imagine. Day 6 starts off with breakfast cooked by the Velocity team themselves, and the evening is reserved for a Demo Night where the Residents can show off their inventions from the night before. The final leg of Bootcamp, Sunday, Day 7, wraps the week up with a hearty lunch, Goosechase scavenger hunt, and concludes with a Goosechase Award Ceremony.

It’s a busy week, but it’s a week that all Velocitizens will remember. So enjoy it while it lasts Residents and make the most of this short, yet memorable week at Bootcamp.

Track our Bootcamp activity on social media, follow @UWvelocity on Twitter and Instagram, and keep an eye out for the hashtags, #velocity and #bootcamp.