a ysws by 1mon and alexren, for Hack Club
build a hardware project, run a booth at any maker convention.
we all have that half-assembled hardware project sitting on our desk. finish it, ship the build, and we mail you supplies to set up a booth at a maker convention near you. Hack Club covers the booth fee and reimburses your drive.
say you designed a 3D printer
you got it funded months ago and never finished the build, and it's been sitting on your desk, making you question everything.
finish it. you ship the build. we mail you a crate of booth materials, pay for a table at 3D Printopia in Philly, and cover your gas getting there. bring a couple friends, and run the booth. let people see your build, tell them about Hack Club, give out stickers, and get more teens to sign up.
now do that for your old build.
booths people already ran
how it works
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finish the build
the half‑assembled one on your shelf or a new idea you have. actually finish it: working hardware, photos, a journal explaining your build process.
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pick a convention
a Maker Faire, a 3D printing con, a hardware expo. anything with makers. sold out or scary to email? we'll talk to the organizers with you.
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we ship you a booth
a crate shows up at your door. we cover the table fee and reimburse the drive. you show up at the convention and run it.
what we send you
and hundreds of stickers
- the booth kit
- posters, a tablecloth, stickers, and magazines to make the booth represent Hack Club. yours to give out to the convention attendees.
- the booth itself
- we send you a grant that covers the booth fee. if the convention is full, we'll work with organizers for you. most of them will make room for a teenager with a real build.
- getting there
- we'll give reimbursements for the drive, and potentially flights when the right convention isn't drivable.
what's eligible?
- it can't already be shipped. if this build went to a previous Hack Club program, it doesn't count here. funded, unfunded or brand new, everything else is fair game.
- it has to be hardware. a physical thing you can put on a table and let a stranger poke at. interactive projects are great!
- it has to actually be done. working build, photos, and a journal explaining your build process.
- there has to be a real convention. with a date, and a booth you can stand behind.
- you have to show up. someone has to run the booth. bring friends and share the table. it's more fun that way.
frequently asked questions
who is eligible for Caravan?
any teenagers aged 13 to 18 who are dedicated to running a booth.
does it have to be a Hack Club funded project?
no. Caravan exists to help you finish your project, so anything you built works. builds cannot already be shipped to a previous Hack Club program.
the convention near me is sold out of booths.
let us know. we'll email the organizers with you. conventions love having booths by Hack Clubbers, and we will work with them to find a solution.
can i share a booth with other people?
yes, and you should. make a #caravan channel for your event. each person needs to ship a build.
does it really cover flights?
potentially, when the right convention isn't drivable. gas reimbursement is the default. ask before you book anything.
what counts as a maker convention?
Maker Faires, 3D printing conventions, hardware expos, robotics events, big local maker meetups. if you are unsure, pitch it to us.
when's the deadline?
submit your build at least one month before the convention to make sure there's enough time to prepare.
where can i learn more?
join #caravan in the Hack Club Slack for more info and to talk to other organizers.
that project isn't going to assemble itself
finish the project and run a booth at a convention near you. i know you have a project sitting on your desk.
ship your build