Code Campfire: Building Community, Building Skills

In the latest episode of Stories from the Hackery, we sit down with Preston Robbins and Lynn Samuelson, two Nashville Software School (NSS) alumni leading the charge with a community initiative called Code Campfire. What started as a way to support NSS students as they began their journey into the tech industry, has grown into a collaborative platform for learning, networking, and real-world project experience.

The Spark That Started It All

Preston Robbins, the founder of Code Campfire, recalls the whirlwind journey that brought this idea to life. “I had six people that I was tutoring an hour or two a week along with my day job and other responsibilities. And I got overwhelmed pretty quick. So as much as I love teaching and as fulfilling as that was, I needed to get some other people to come in and tutor,” Preston shares. Preston tapped into his network to find more mentors, but he knew there had to be a better way to support NSS students long-term. It was then that the idea for a more structured, community-driven platform was born.

Building Bridges Through Projects

After many discussions on how Code Campfire could support students, the idea of projects for recent graduates took hold—a move that Lynn Samuelson was excited to spearhead. As a veteran software developer and a former instructor at NSS, Lynn knew firsthand the power of real-world projects. “ I got excited about [projects] because when I was teaching, that's where I saw students really grow and learn,” she explains.

Similar to projects at NSS, Code Campfire offers collaborative projects that simulate the dynamics of development teams. Participants can choose to specialize in front-end, back-end, QA, or data roles, to gain more hands-on experience. There’s also a position for a team lead in each project. The team lead role is perfect for seasoned professionals looking to give back or grow their leadership skills. The first project has already been completed by two teams, so they are exploring options for tier 2 and tier 3 projects so participants can tackle a new challenge with greater complexity.

Weekly Meetings that Matter

But projects are not all that Code Campfire offers. Code Campfire’s weekly meetings are a low commitment way to engage with the community to learn, collaborate, and grow. These gatherings aren’t just networking events—they’re structured to include mock interviews, technical discussions, and resume reviews. These meetups provide ongoing support that extends beyond graduation, ensuring that participants not only keep their skills sharp but also stay connected to their peers and Nashville's tech community.

“There are a bunch of different tools and resources within Code Campfire to help NSS grads make it to their next step, which is usually a job,” Preston shares.

Join Code Campfire

If you’re a new grad looking to sharpen your skills, or a seasoned developer wanting to give back, Code Campfire is always open to new members. Join the community at Code Campfire.

🎧 Watch on YouTube | Listen on SoundCloud or wherever you get your podcasts

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction to Stories from the Hackery
01:50 Meet the Guests: Preston Robbins and Lynn Samuelson
05:57 What is Code Campfire?
09:57 Challenges and Iterations
15:02 The Importance of Projects
20:13 Project Structure and Roles
25:23 Projects Beyond Tier 1
31:25 Gamification of the Job Search
33:03 How to Get Involved with Code Campfire
41:18 Final Thoughts and Technology Guilty Pleasures