Welcome to the MACSO Programming Bootcamp!
This is the official page for the MACSO Programming Bootcamp. Our goal
is to help students prepare for the Massachusetts Computer Science
Olympiad by covering essential topics, problem-solving strategies, and
offering hands-on practice.
Whether you're just starting your programming journey or looking to
advance your competitive coding skills, we have a track designed for
you.
Free Evaluation
Not sure which group is right for you? Request a free evaluation to
understand what will be the most beneficial group for you or your
student.
Our experienced instructors will assess your current skill level and
recommend the most appropriate track for your learning journey.
Price: Free
Available Programs
Intro to Programming (java)
Content: Project-based learning of basic JAVA
concepts
Dates: Jul 3 - Jul 13 or Jul 14 - Jul 24
Times: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST (period 1)
1:00pm-4:00pm EST (period 2)
Full list of topics
- Day 1: Introduction to Java & Basic Syntax
- Day 2: Variables & Data Types
- Day 3: Control Flow & Conditionals
- Day 4: Loops & Iteration
- Day 5: Methods & Functions
- Day 6: Arrays & Collections
- Day 7: Object-Oriented Basics
- Day 8: Classes & Objects
- Day 9: Project Development
- Day 10: Final Project Presentation
15% early bird discount until June 10th
Register Now
AP CSA Java Group
Content: Preparation for the AP Computer Science
A Exam including exploration of main algorithms, data structures
and coding techniques in JAVA, e.g., arrays and object-oriented
programming.
Dates: Jun 30 - Jul 9 or Jul 11 - Jul 20
Times: 9 AM - 12 PM EST (period 1) 6:00 PM - 9:00
PM EST (period 2)
Full list of topics
- Day 1: Primitive Types
- Day 2: Using Objects
- Day 3: Boolean Expressions & if Statements
- Day 4: Iteration
- Day 5: Writing Classes
- Day 6: Array & ArrayList
- Day 7: 2D Array
- Day 8: Inheritance & Polymorphism
- Day 9: Recursion
- Day 10: AP Exam Practice
15% early bird discount until June 10th
Register Now
USACO Bronze Group (C++/Java)
Content: Introduction to competitive programming
concepts and problem-solving techniques required for the USACO
Bronze division.
Dates: Jun 30 - Jul 9 or Jul 11 - Jul 20
Times: 1 PM - 4 PM EST (period 1), 9 AM - 12 PM
EST (period 2)
Full list of topics
- Day 1: Time Complexity
- Day 2: Data Structures
- Day 3: Simulation
- Day 4: Basic Complete Search
- Day 5: Recursion
- Day 6: Sorting
- Day 7: Sets & Maps
- Day 8: Ad Hoc Problems
- Day 9: Problem-Solving Strategies
- Day 10: Contest Practice
15% early bird discount until June 10th
Register Now
USACO Silver Group (C++)
Content: Intermediate algorithms and coding
techniques, e.g., Graph Depth First Search (DFS), Linear
algorithms.
Dates: Jul 11 - Jul 20
Times: 1 PM - 4 PM EST (period 2)
Full list of topics
- Day 1: Prefix Sums
- Day 2: Two Pointers
- Day 3: Binary Search
- Day 4: Coordinate Compression
- Day 5: Greedy Algorithms
- Day 6: Priority Queues
- Day 7: Graph Traversal
- Day 8: Breadth-First Search
- Day 9: Depth-First Search
- Day 10: Contest Practice
15% early bird discount until June 10th
Register Now
If you feel that the schedule doesn't work for you, we're offering
individual tutoring
FAQ
Contact [email protected] for any
questions.
Who can participate in the bootcamp?
The bootcamp is open to all students Grades 6-12 and all programming
backgrounds. We created separate levels so students could get the max
benefit out of the program. Materials of each group require the
knowledge of topics from the previous group. If student's is not sure
which group is the best for him, we'll be happy to evaluate his coding
proficiency for free.
How does the bootcamp classes work?
Advanced Groups (AP CSA, USACO Bronze and Silver)
Class Structure:
- 1.5 hours: Lecture and sample problems
-
1.5 hours: Problem-solving contest (5-7 problems) with tutor
assistance
- Homework: 1-2 hours of unsolved problems from class
Intro to Programming (Java)
Project-based learning approach:
- Each session focuses on building a game project
- Projects are broken down into smaller segments
- Each segment introduces new programming concepts
- Students complete a functional game by the end of each class
Daily Schedule:
-
Hour 1: Introduction to new programming concepts
and project development
-
Hour 2: Implementation of required features for the
day's project segment
-
Hour 3: Creative development and game
personalization
What is the scoring system like?
Groups aimed to prepare for
AP CSA Exam, USACO Bronze and Silver will have ACM ICPC
system. The student's solution will have to pass all the test cases to
earn a full score.
Intro to Programming (JAVA) Group grading will be based
on completion of the developed creative projects
When and where is the bootcamp?
The bootcamp will be held online in July 2025 across two 10-day periods:
Jun 30 - Jul 9 and Jul 11 - Jul 20. The time of the classes depend on
the group and listed in the course descriptions above.
How can I register for the bootcamp?
You can register for the bootcamp by clicking on the
Register Here button
at the top of the page. It will take you to the registration form where
you can fill in your details.
Can I participate if I'm not in Massachusetts?
Yes, indeed! Participants from all around US and world are welcome for
the online participation. Note, that all the times and dates are based
on the EST (Eastern Time).