Code Ninjas Now Open in South Ogden to Teach Coding in a Cool Way

Say the words “video game” and your kids are bound to stop and listen. The local owners of a new Code Ninjas, a learning center now open as of February 1 at 5735 Harrison Blvd., know that video games aren’t only fun, but educational. Code Ninjas will serve the local area by teaching children computer coding and problem-solving skills while having fun building video games.

To ensure the safety of all Ninjas, parents, and Senseis, Code Ninjas is taking extra precautions. The center will be thoroughly cleaned several times a day by employees. Devices, tables, door handles, bathrooms, and other frequently-used surfaces will be sanitized throughout the day. In addition, student workspaces and equipment, including computers, monitors, and mice will be cleaned between every student session. There will be an increased distance between individual student workstations in the dojo, as well as careful monitoring and enforcement of no-contact interactions.

The South Ogden location is owned and operated by friends and business partners Jared Snell and Rick Sollis. Jared, a Utah resident for a number of years, brings over 25 years of experience in technology for higher education, building learning management systems and web portals for colleges and universities. Rick also brings a background in technology, certified in Microsoft, Novel, and Cisco. Rick has excelled as a former tech manager and consultant, supporting management technology systems for a national financial services company.

Both Jared and Rick have a personal connection to Code Ninjas and its mission to prepare children for a future of technology. For Jared, he’s seen the impact of teaching technology starting at a young age from a young man at his church. For Rick, he saw the need for a concept like Code Ninjas when his son was 12. At that time, there were no coding classes in the area to fulfill his son’s interest in technology. Both seeing an opportunity to go into business ownership together, the two decided to open a location in South Ogden.

“We don’t just want to create a place for children to code, but a place where children can learn, create, and gain confidence in themselves,” said Rick. “My wife, Mindy, will serve as the center director, and she believes, as well as I do, that Code Ninjas will help kids focus and develop their skills in coding and STEM education.”

Weber County children ages 5-14 can look forward to visiting the new Code Ninjas center to learn how to code in a fun, safe, and social learning environment where gaming is celebrated, and STEM is cool. Everything about Code Ninjas is built around fun, which keeps kids coming back. But the center also provides the results that parents are looking for, as their children gain coding and problem-solving skills, they’ll fill the need for the jobs of the future.

Code Ninjas accomplishes this with a robust, game-based curriculum made up of nine belts, just like martial arts. The curriculum is self-paced, but not self-taught; kids get immediate help and encouragement from Code Senseis and fellow students as they advance from white to black belt. The program keeps kids motivated with little wins along the way, and “Belt-Up” celebrations where they receive color-coded wristbands to mark their graduation to the next level. By the time a child finishes the program, they will publish an app in an app store.

“The world is full of different interests, with several opportunities for sports. How often do they have the chance to fall in love with STEM?” said Jared. “That’s what Code Ninjas offers, we help them find new passions, things they can do at home and make their lives better.”

Code Ninjas offers a variety of opportunities for children to get involved, including a flexible weeknight drop-in program, camps and Parents Night Out events on weekends. A new program to Code Ninjas is CREATE, a belt-up program where ninjas build video games and develop ninja coding skills on the path from white to black belt. The program is available in-person or remotely with virtual help of a sensei through zoom/conferencing software.

For more information about the South Ogden Code Ninjas location, please visit https://www.codeninjas.com/utah-south-ogden.