By Jennifer Ersalesi
Photo credits: Shipra Sravastava
The Rutherford Chamber of Commerce has chosen Code Wiz as their Featured Member of the Month. After almost a year in business in Rutherford, Code Wiz has brought so much to the community. The programs and camps that they offer are unique and varied. There are so many different opportunities for children to learn, grow, and have fun at Code Wiz. This is Rutherford interviewed owner of Code Wiz, Shipra Srivastava, to find out more about Code Wiz.
TIR: When did you open CodeWiz in Rutherford?
Shipra Srivastava: Code Wiz opened its doors to the community on December 2nd, 2023, welcoming local families and aspiring young coders to join in the fun and learning.
TIR: What made you decide to open CodeWiz?
SS: As a software engineer, I’ve always been fascinated by technology. Growing up, I noticed how few women were in the tech field, and even fewer in leadership roles. This inspired me to make a difference by offering kids a fun and creative way to spark their interest in technology.
TIR: CodeWiz offers many different classes, camps, and programs. Can you tell us about some of the most popular ones?
SS: Some of our most sought-after programs include Minecraft Modding, Roblox Game Development, and Lego Robotics. All these hands-on experiences ignite creativity and teach essential coding skills, giving students the opportunity to transform their ideas into reality.
TIR: Can you tell us more about the special camps offered during school breaks and the summer?
SS: We’re passionate about making vacations enjoyable for both kids and parents. As a parent myself, I understand how challenging it can be to keep children engaged throughout long days, finding something that not only makes them happy but also sparks their curiosity. That’s why we offer camps during school closures (Vacation camps, Spring holiday camps , Summer Camps) —a safe and welcoming place in the community where parents can confidently drop their kids, knowing they’ll have a fantastic time while learning something new. Our goal is to make every day both fun and educational, ensuring kids leave with smiles and new skills!
TIR: Why do you believe teaching children computer and coding skills is so important?
SS: With technology evolving so quickly, it's essential for everyone to stay ahead or risk being left behind. With early access to coding and technology, kids will be prepared for what lies ahead. Our mission is to empower the next generation to not only keep up but to lead the way in shaping the future of tech.
TIR: Not only do you have a thriving business, but CodeWiz is also very active in the community. Tell us about some of the ways you participate in community events.
SS: At Code Wiz, community involvement is a core part of who we are. We love participating in local events, where we set up interactive booths to engage kids and parents, offering fun coding challenges and demos to spark their interest in technology. We’re committed to supporting local schools and organizations through donations, sponsoring events, and providing resources that help the community.
TIR: Anything new or upcoming that you would like to share?
SS: We have some fun events coming up, for Halloween where we will be having kids play our Halloween-themed games and try to navigate through the puzzles. We have custom 3D prints for the kids as they love the 3D prints. As we are nearing our one-year completion, we will be having our anniversary celebration in January welcoming the new year with more fun activities.
Code Wiz is located at 310 Union Avenue.
Follow them on Facebook @Code Wiz- Rutherford, NJ
Follow them on Instagram @codewizrutherfordnj.
Visit their website here.
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