Freelance Camp

What Is Freelance Camp San Antonio?

// January 26th, 2009 // San Antonio 2009

FreelanceCampSA is an opportunity for freelancers, entrepreneurs, independent business owners and individuals to come together to learn from one another, connect with opportunities by expanding their network, and finding answers to some of the questions enabling them to expand their business, start their business or develop additional income streams.

Freelance Camp SA will be the second Freelance Camp in the nation. The first FreelanceCamp was held in Santa Cruz CA in August 2008.

In addition, FreelanceCampSA will offer a Teen/Young Entrepreneur’s session. Many of the newest online entrepreneurs are those in their teens. Many teens are already building websites and actively participating online. The track will be coordinated by Chance Sanford manager of Sea World’s San Antonio Adventure Camps.

Background Of The Unconference or BarCamp Movement

The BarCamp movement started in August 2005 as a reactionary spin off of an invitation only participant-driven, idea-sharing meeting sponsored by Tim O’Reilly. Tim O’Reilly is a technology publisher credited by many as being an articulate advocate for developing technology especially open source programs.

Barcamps are organized around a general theme or idea. The unconference draws upon the experience, curiosity and expertise of the participants. It is called an unconference because of its participant generated sessions determined at the location, at the time, and interest of those attending.

There is no pre-determined schedule of sessions, though pre-registered participants can offer sessions. The format encourages sharing, demonstration, and interaction.

The Unconference is organized and promoted online through a wiki. “A wiki is a page or collection of web pages designed to enable anyone who accesses it to contribute or modify content, using a coding system.

Proposed topics are posted on flipcharts, wall posters and live online on the unconference wiki for the listing times and room locations. People then attend the sessions, which interest them. Depending on interest some sessions will be packed while others will have only a few interested participants.

Wifi and often live video streaming is provided during these Unconferences. This leads to online participation and contemporaneous blogging of the Unconference events. It is not unusual for people from across the country or even the world to tune in and either watch, listen, or question during the events.

Funding And Promotion

Funding for these events happens through the generosity of sponsor/partners. Expenses can include facility rental, meal and break food costs, name badges, banner and T-shirts. Participants are generally admitted free, with a donation, or for a minimal charge. Organizers are not paid but serve as volunteers. All funds go to event expenses there are no profits.

San Antonio Unconference Movement

San Antonio has been host to several Camp style conferences. There have been PodCampSA focusing on podcasting, Start-Up Weekend focusing on new company startups and BarcampSanAntonio focused on technology platforms. People who have attended have been of all ages from 13 to in their 80’s.

In addition to FreelanceCampSA, other 2008 Unconference style camps being held in San Antonio include ones focusing on online accessibility (AccessCampSA) and environmental issues (GreenCampSA).

Who Participates

Most often the participants are tech savvy ranging in age from teens to 80’s. People who come are from corporations, organizations, self-employed, students, retired and those merely curious. The tech savvy are drawn as most of the promotion is done online through forums, social media tools such as Twitter, Facebook, wikis, blogs, and video.

Using online communication tools (usually called Web 2.0) such as wiki’s. Wikis are online tools people using to collaboratively share information.

Freelance Camp San Antonio will be held January 31st 2009 in downtown San Antonio at the Radius Cafe. Sign up for Freelance Camp