Last week, about a week after I returned from DrupalCon Szeged, I attended DrupalCamp NYC, and as with most un-conferences, I left wondering "when can I get to one of those again?" So, I bought myself a plane ticket to San Francisco to hit up BADCamp (and chill with some Drupal friends whom I don't get to see nearly enough). And while I love an excuse to travel both near and far, it got me thinking, isn't it about time to hold a DrupalCamp Philly? Or, maybe we should reach beyond our borders and do a MADCamp (Mid-Atlantic Drupal Camp)?
I know that our community is not as big as DC, NYC, SF, or LA, but there is still a lot of Drupaling going on in the city of brotherly love, enough to justify a camp. So, this post is meant to get the ball rolling. If you are interested, please comment here, if you aren't, well Drupal doesn't love you either!
I'm thinking the last weekend in October would be a good time, but please chime in on that note in the comments as well. We also need to start looking for a place (the two most likely candidates would seem to be UPenn or Drexel, both of whom use Drupal extensively), so if you have ideas there, please do share them.
Comments
DriupalCamp Philly would be AWESOME
please, please , please!
DrupalCamp PHilly. IM in!!!
Cass
agreed
a DrupalCamp in philly would be awesome!
Drupal at UD
That would be awesome. Drupal is getting a big push here at the University of Delaware. It was selected as our CMS of choice this past summer, after many, many months of research. We now have dozens people learning Drupal as best they can! I know of at least 12 sites in development, and a few already in production. It's use will be quite extensive, from college and department level sites, to faculty sites, to student organizations. Cool.
Although I can't speak for everyone, I'm sure there are several of us who'd love to be involved. I'm not sure at what we can give presentations as most of us are still learning. We have space and could host a conference.
For those that don't know, UD is just under an hour drive from Philly. The R2 Septa line goes to Newark, where we're located, with the last stop about a 10min walk from central campus. (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=philadelphia+pa+to+newa...)
John
Yep, definitely in the works
I've been talking with some folks as well about putting together a Philly DrupalCamp this fall. The local 'camp calendar is filling up so we need to start picking a date so people can plan.
One of the folks interested is from UArts, so that's another possible venue.
I'll be making some calls on Monday and see if we can get some date and venue options to discuss.
UPenn
I have a meeting with someone from Wharton next week- do you want me to talk to them about the spaces at Wharton where the Higher Ed Web Symposium was held? That seems like it would be the perfect venue for a drupal camp, if we could get it...
Alex Urevick-Ackelsberg
ZivTech: Illuminating Technology
Alex Urevick-Ackelsberg
ZivTech: Illuminating Technology
Definitely ask
Can't hurt to ask -- whether that exact building or another that Wharton has access to. I've heard third-person that Penn facilities are incredibly expensive to commandeer, but I'd like to get some specifics and see if it's workable.
Need students
UPenn facilities are generally free to student groups. Is there a Drupal club at Penn?
Don't know...
But there are definitely major departments that have adopted it as their official CMS ( i.e. the School of Arts and Sciences), and other programs which are actively using it. Someone from the Daily Pennsylvanian posted on g.d.o that they were beginning to switch to Drupal as well ( http://groups.drupal.org/node/9190#comment-31649 ), although it doesn't look like they've made the switch yet, but they still might be a good group to connect with.
Alex Urevick-Ackelsberg
ZivTech: Illuminating Technology
Alex Urevick-Ackelsberg
ZivTech: Illuminating Technology
Hey there -- I'm not sure
Hey there -- I'm not sure who you're talking with at Wharton. I also work there as a web developer and I'm interested in drupal.
How many people do you expect to attend drupal camp? I'm not sure you could do something the size of the Symposium during the school year there. But we do sometimes host user group meetings in those same rooms. I'd be willing to ask around about getting some space.
Right on!
I'd love to see this, and we'd be interesting in providing some level of support or sponsorship.
USP also provides space to PLUG, so they may be another Drupal-friendly organization. Also the Science Center, but that might be too small.
DLC Solutions
EthosCE
Basekamp host
hi Nathan, Ezra, everyone -
I'm Glad to see this group! Ezra pointed it out to me today :)
Ok, so regarding DrupalCamp --- I'd like to offer Basekamp to host DrupalCamp in Philly.
For those of you hwo don't know, Basekamp is a large non-commercial space for international art & cultural collaboration, which I've co-directed in center city for the past 10 years. Peronally, I'd be thrilled to host DrupalCamp at Basekamp.
The Basekamp space can accommodate lots of people, has wifi, etc. The photo on this page
http://basekamp.com/
is only a part of the space (the entire space is 5000 sq ft) -- we have 4 picnic tables that can fit 8-10 people each, and 10 camping chairs, plus other seating, large loft areas for working and playing, etc. We also use experimental meeting tools developed by artists and groups, if any of you are interested to try out some prototypes ;)
Here's another page with a photo of one of our 2 loft areas:
http://basekamp.com/bk_space/events/plausible_artworlds/press_release_sp...
(this is 8' x 16' to give you an idea -- the entire space has 14' ceilings, and 20' high under our 2 large skylights).
We even have periodic sleepovers there - and can comfortably accommodate up to 20 overnight guests after a DrupalCamp (for people coming in from out of town, etc). Also sometimes do BBQ & with a small grill on the roof of the building for our weekly potlucks - could consider something like this for a DrupalCamp as well...
Basekamp is also a 501(c)3 non-profit (so possible tax write-off possibilities for potential sponsors). We also have a relationship with UArts' Design Dept (the head of the Dept is a weekly overnight guest at our space, and have done workshops with their students, worked closely with the Dept on independent projects, have hosted exhibitions, etc).
Any thoughts? Please let me know if I can help supply further info... Look forward to some local discussion ;)
Cheers!
Scott
Coming from a pretty huge
Coming from a pretty huge professional association (Project Management Institute) I would agree that the university locations would likely be best, but also the most pricey. I guess it's a case of getting what you pay for. I'd be willing to share what I know and add additional horsepower based on doing more than a dozen events around the world. Ping me if there is any interest.
Dave Sabol
DLC Solutions
(610) 349-8466
dsabol@dlc-solutions.com
Dave Sabol
Synergystech, LLC
1237 Salisbury Road
Allentown, PA 18103
desabol@synergystech.com
http://www.synergystech.com
http://www.associatedknowledge.com
the problem is the price tag
We'd need the Camp to remain free, and while I assume we'll try and get sponsors to help feed the people there, and rent equipment (if it's needed), I think paying for a space is out of the question...
Alex Urevick-Ackelsberg
ZivTech: Illuminating Technology
Alex Urevick-Ackelsberg
ZivTech: Illuminating Technology
Alex, this is the reason I
Alex, this is the reason I suggested a space like Basekamp. It's at 8th & Chestnut, rather large, and very inexpensive ;)
Hey, I am in if I can make
Hey,
I am in if I can make it down from State College..
Eric
Eric Aitala - f1m@f1m.com
Eric Aitala - f1m@f1m.com
YES!
I think a Philly Drupal Camp is a great ideal! I guess our next step needs to be nailing down a location? Basekamp or UArts do sound like pretty good solutions.
If there's anything I can do to help make this happen I'd love to help out!
Let's make this happen!
Yeah, I'm in. I'm swamped right now, but I'll chime in if I think I can help.
--
d.o: canarymason
twitter @canarymason
Please consider this my RSVP for Fall 2008 DrupalCamp Philly
Please consider this my RSVP for Fall 2008 DrupalCamp Philly
Me too!
Is there an official RSVP process? I'm definitely in as well.
Andrew
RSVP Page is up
You can go here to RSVP: http://groups.drupal.org/node/16095