CamJam – Important information for attendees
How do I get there and where do I park?
The Jam is being held at the Institute of Astronomy, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HA. The best way to confirm the location and to plan your travel is to take a look at Google Maps:
For those who are driving… If you are travelling from the South, on the northbound M11, leave at Junction 13 and turn right at the end of the road onto Madingley Road. You will pass the Park-n-Ride on the left. Carry on down Madingley Road and you will see the Cavendish Laboratory sign on your right. Immediately turn left. The signage comes up on you pretty fast, so please be careful. Once you have turned off, the car park is on your right. Further car parking is available up the hill.
If you are travelling from the North on the M11, you will need to go down one junction, leave the motorway and come back onto it going in the other direction. We know this isn’t brilliant, but that’s the M11 for you! We strongly encourage you not to take the back roads as they can be a bit of a maze.
The train station is 2.6 miles away to walk. Or you could take the Park and Ride bus from the city centre to Madingley Road and walk down the road to the Institute. The city bus station is 1.3 miles from the venue.
In any case, regardless of how you are getting to the event, please travel carefully and feel free to contact us with any questions. We’ll endeavour to help in any way we can.
What time should I arrive?
- If you are a Jam Maker and/or you are helping with set-up, the set-up team will be there from around 9.15am. The earlier you can get there, the quicker we’ll get set-up! Jam Makers who are not helping with set-up are welcome to arrive at any time – please check your timetable to be certain when your first duty is.
- If you are exhibiting in the Show and Tell area or taking part in the Marketplace, please feel free to arrive any time after 9.30am. We may still be setting up, depending on what time you arrive, so please bear with us! There is a space near the door for unloading. Please leave space on the left hand side for our caterer who will need to be there for the duration of the event.
- If you are attending as a regular attendee, the doors open at 10.30am, or shortly before. The first workshop commences at 10.35am for 10.45am. Please see the notes below about workshops! The first talk starts at 11am.
What do I need to do when I get there?
The building we use is just a little way up the hill from the lower car park and is pictured at the top of the page.
When you arrive at the Institute, we’ll be there to welcome you and check your ticket. If you can, please print the programme in advance by downloading it from this page. We’ll have a few available at the front desk if you forget!
What’s happening at the Jam?
We have lots of talks happening in the Lecture Theatre, workshops in the Meeting Room, Show and Tell in the Foyer and a Marketplace on the mezzanine. You can see and print a full timetable for the day here.
If you would like to do some general hacking or learning with the Raspberry Pi, there are some Pi workstations set-up in the Library above the Mezzanine. These are available for general use between 10.45am and 1.45pm. There are some Workbook folders up there too.
If you are a beginner, or you have specific questions about getting started with the Pi, we are running a Beginners & Bewildered session 2-3pm in the Library.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
Nope! All the equipment you’ll need for workshops is provided and there are some Pi workstations in the Library on the second floor. If you have a Pi project you want to exhibit in our Show and Tell area, there may be space available on the day, depending on where we can slot you in. If you could let us know before hand, that would help a great deal.
I’m booked on a workshop
You’ve been lucky – we are completely sold out! Please make sure you know which one(s) you are booked on and consult the programme for times. Please remember that you will be working in pairs and that you will need to produce your ticket (or state your name) to be allowed in. Please ensure that you are in the meeting room at least 5 minutes before it starts so we can work out who hasn’t turned up and offer those seats to other people.
I want to go on a workshop but I haven’t booked
We’re sorry – the tickets for the workshops sold out very quickly. However, on the day often people don’t turn up. If you’d like to be considered for ‘returns’ or ‘no-show tickets’, please wait at the front desk at the appropriate time. If there are more people than spare seats, tickets will be allocated via lottery.
I’m not booked on a workshop but I want to watch
Provided there is enough space in the meeting room, that’s absolutely fine. Please don’t overcrowd the room though as it gets a bit warm in there. Thank you!
Will I be able to buy stuff at the Jam?
Yes, absolutely. The Marketplace is on the Mezzanine to the left as you enter the building.
Who is in the Show and Tell area?
We like to leave this as a surprise on the day. Make sure to visit all the tables!
Will there be refreshments?
We have a new caterer this time. They will be at the Jam serving drinks, hot and cold sandwiches and snacks at reasonable prices. Feel free to bring your own food & drink if you prefer. Please note: we don’t allow food and drink in the Lecture Theatre. There is a quiet area down the left-hand corridor and there are various seats dotted about the place, so feel free to make yourself comfortable while you eat!
I need some peace and quiet!
There is a designated Quiet Area down the left-hand corridor with easy chairs. Feel free to chill out for as long as you wish. We have no control over how quiet it is, naturally, but we hope that it will be a bit of a respite in the usual chaos of the Jam.
What do I do if I need help on the day?
Our Jam Makers will be wearing badges to identify themselves. They will do their best to help you. If you can’t find a Jam Maker, see if you can find Tim or Mike (pictured) who will be wearing their purple CamJam polo shirts!
How can I help?
If you are happy to help us set-up in the morning, the team will be at the Institute from 9.15am. There will be plenty of furniture to move, equipment to unload and things to put up on walls. Please come to the front desk and ask for Mike and he’ll give you a job to do if there’s anything to do!
If you are willing to help us tidy up after the event ends, please make yourself known to one of the Jam Makers at the end of the day or just be helpful and help us to move tables, chairs and other stuff! We are normally done in about an hour (less if there’s more people).
When is the next Jam after this one?
We may have another CamJam in December.
However, our next confirmed event is on 1st-2nd April next year – Pi Wars – our Raspberry Pi robotics challenge competition.
There is likely to be a ‘Potton Pi & Pints’ event in Potton, Bedfordshire between now and Pi Wars.
Sign up to our mailing list if you’d like to be kept informed.
That’s all folks!
We look forward to welcoming you to CamJam on Saturday.
All the best,