Everything you need to know before Saturday
Free, no ticket to print, and you can arrive at any point in the day. Here is the rest of it.
- Date
- Saturday March 13, 2027
- Hours
- 11:00 to 3:00
- Venue
-
GSU Ballroom, third floor, Geary Student Union
University of Charleston, 2300 MacCorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304 - Admission
- Free
Always free. Donations are gratefully accepted. - Ages
-
10 and up
Anyone under 14 stays with an adult
Parking
Free in the campus lots on a Saturday. The closest lot to the ballroom is off MacCorkle Avenue. Drop-off is at the same entrance.
Confirm lot name and any Saturday restrictions with campus securityAccess
The ballroom is on the third floor, step-free from the MacCorkle Avenue entrance. Benches are standard table height with knee clearance. Restrooms are on the same floor. Tell us what you need and we set it up before you arrive.
Confirm the elevator route to the third floor, table heights, quiet space and accessible restroom locationFood
Bring a snack and a water bottle. There is food within a short drive, and you can leave and come back without re-registering.
Confirm whether campus dining is open on the dayWhat to bring
Nothing is required. If you have them: your own Raspberry Pi and the project it lives in, a microSD card, headphones if a loud room is hard for you, and a bag for what you build.
Ages and supervision
The stations are written for ages 10 and up. Anyone under 14 needs an adult with them in the room, and you are welcome to sit at the bench and build alongside your child. Plenty of parents do.
Soldering is the one supervised station
Questions parents ask
Does my child need any experience?
No. Most people at every station have never done it before. A volunteer sits down with you, shows you the first step, and stays until it works.
Do I have to stay with them?
Under 14, yes, stay in the room. Older than that you can drop off and come back. There is seating along the side if you would rather read while they build.
Will they use a soldering iron?
Only if they choose that one bench, only from age 12, and only with goggles and a Jam Maker beside them. Every other station is solder free. It is easy to have a full day here without going near a hot tool.
Is it really free, and is anything sold there?
Free, and it always has been. No materials fee and nothing for sale. When you register you can add a donation if you would like to, and it is gratefully accepted, but $0 is a complete registration. Sponsors cover the parts, which is why their names are on the site.
What if we can only come for an hour?
Come for an hour. Most stations take 30 to 45 minutes and you can walk into any of them at any time. Late is fine.
Are photographs taken?
Yes, for the event recap. Tell any volunteer if you would rather your child is not photographed and we will note it at the door. We do not publish a recognisable child without a signed release.
A few day-of details are still being confirmed with campus. Leave an email and we send you the final logistics page as soon as it is set, or write to hello@raspberryjamwv.org and a person answers.