Charles County
built this.
You can too.
Show up with a laptop and a curious idea. Leave three hours later with something you actually made, using AI, alongside your neighbors. No experience required.
#CharlesCountyBuiltThis is the story we will tell together. Share the event, what you make, and what happens next.
That word isn't invited. The tools will teach you everything else you need.
- Date
- Sat, Sept 26, 2026
- Time
- 1:00 – 4:00 PM
- Where
- Maryland Technology Center, Indian Head
- Cost
- Free · pre-registration required
- Seats
- Limited: first come, first served
Original artwork inspired by Southern Maryland's tidal waterways.
Not a lecture. Not a hackathon.
Not a sales pitch.
#CharlesCountyBuiltThis is a hands-on community build afternoon. A room full of neighbors, friends, families, and patient local helpers spending three hours building small, useful, personal things together: a recipe website, a family photo organizer, a homework helper, a fantasy football draft tool, a small-business inventory tracker, a bedtime-story generator for your kids. Whatever you want to build.
You do not need to be technical, know how to code, or understand AI before you arrive. This is a safe place to learn by trying. Patient human helpers will sit with you, explain each step in plain language, and help whenever you get stuck.
The goal isn't to make you a developer. The goal is to help you get past the word can't.
You've heard about it, maybe tried ChatGPT once
↓ you'll leave withA friendly on-ramp, a real project you built yourself, and confidence that you can do this.
You use it occasionally, but haven't built anything
↓ you'll leave withThe next level: learn to make AI do work for you, not just answer questions.
You're already solving problems with AI
↓ you'll leave withNew patterns, new tools, and a community of builders in your region.
You already know your way around
↓ you'll leave withThe chance to pay it forward: help someone next to you cross the line from "I can't" to "look what I built."
Starter templates. Plain-language instructions. Your call.
We'll have approachable, useful examples you can open and follow one step at a time, with a real person nearby to help. Pick a rough idea, then narrow it to one useful thing you can finish this afternoon.
Recipe & cookbook site
Searchable, shareable, yours.
Family photo organizer
That actually understands what's in your photos.
Homework helper
Tuned to your kid's grade and style.
Small-business helper
Inventory, invoices, customer notes.
Bedtime-story generator
Starring your kids, by name.
Fill-in-the-blank
Bring your own idea: we'll help you start.
"The word can't needs to leave your lexicon. The tools are there. The tools can guide you through it. You just have to get past can't." - The whole event, in one sentence
Experienced local builders circulate the room all afternoon, ready to unstick you, answer questions, and help you take the next small step. No judgment. No jargon: or if there is, we'll explain it. No sales pitch. We're building alongside you.
Snacks and beverages are available while you build. At 3:15, anyone who wants to demo what they made gets 90 seconds and the mic. We wrap together at 3:45 with a group photo and a clear next step.
What to bring
- Your laptop: Linux, Mac, Windows, or Chromebook.
- A charger.
- An idea: or come without one, we've got plenty.
- Personal AI access. Attendance is free, but free tiers of commercially available AI services probably will not support a full afternoon of working on your idea. Plan to use your own entry-level paid plan, typically around $20 and cancelable at any time. We know that adds a little cost to a free event, but it should be money well spent. We can send setup guidance before the event or help you choose a tool; just reach out by email. We cannot provide loaner laptops, AI accounts, or API keys.
- Curiosity. Other than a little AI, that's the only real prerequisite.
Manifest
| Time | What's happening | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 PM | Doors open | Check in · get set up · meet the room |
| 1:15 PM | Welcome | What we're doing, how to get help, and getting past can't |
| 1:30 PM | Build | Helpers circulating · snacks and beverages available |
| 3:15 PM | Show & tell | Anyone who wants to demo: 90 seconds, entirely optional |
| 3:45 PM | Wrap | Group photo · closing thoughts · what comes next |
Maryland Technology Center
USBTA · Indian Head
Built by this community, for this community
Voice of Indian Head
Voice of Indian Head is a resident-led community investment project that helps neighbors connect, participate, and strengthen the town together. This event turns that mission into a practical afternoon of shared learning and local confidence.
USBTA
The United States Bomb Technician Association operates from the Maryland Technology Center in Indian Head and builds networks around training, technology, and collaboration. Here, that spirit opens the door to the wider community for a welcoming, beginner-friendly build afternoon.
Come build something.
Prove to yourself you can.
Registration is first-come, first-served. When confirmed seats are full, we'll open a waitlist. More questions? Check the FAQ or email info@voih.org.
Reserve Your Spot →