From Learning to Contributing: My First DrupalCamp Experience

For over four years, I’ve immersed myself in the world of Drupal—honing my skills, tackling issue queues, and contributing patches. But one goal always stood out: contributing at a community event. The moment I learned about Drupal Camp Pune, excitement bubbled over. I reached out to my team members to hear about their past experiences, and their stories painted the camp as an unmissable opportunity for learning and community involvement, cementing my decision to attend.

But why just attend when I could dive even deeper? When I saw a call for off-site volunteers, I didn’t hesitate. Before long, I was working on the camp’s website, and soon after, I opted to volunteer on-site as well. From site development to packing welcome kits, it was thrilling to contribute behind the scenes. Here’s a glimpse into my memorable experience at Drupal Camp Pune.

Interesting Things Happened at the Camp

One of the most exciting aspects of volunteering was getting behind the scenes. The event had everything organized with precision—from Jira boards to issue queues—making it a smooth and collaborative experience. I helped prepare welcome kits and set up the event, bringing me closer to the other volunteers. I was fully immersed in pre-event activities, meeting passionate community members, and could feel the energy building for something great.

What Excited Me the Most!

Knowing that I was helping to build something that people would use—an actual site for registration and event activities—was incredibly motivating. Plus, the community spirit was contagious. Everyone was there not just to attend but to contribute, from enthusiastic first-timers to experienced Drupalers. Working directly on tickets to make the site functional added to the sense of purpose, and this hands-on involvement, combined with the community’s shared enthusiasm, made the experience even more meaningful.

Day 1: Diving into Drupal

The two-day Drupal Camp Pune event was designed for both learning and contributing. The first day was packed with insightful sessions, while the second focused on giving back to the community through code contributions. Here are a few of my favorite sessions from Day 1:

1. Streamlining Digital Content: OpenAI Meets Drupal

This session opened my eyes to the power of integrating AI with Drupal to elevate the experience for site builders. I realized that AI could become an essential tool for enhancing workflows and content creation.

2. Container Queries: The Secret Weapon for Next-Level Responsive Layouts

This session was entirely new to me, and it sparked many ideas. Container queries can make components more adaptable without impacting media queries. The live examples showed just how transformative this approach can be.

3. Current State of the Starshot / Drupal CMS

This session provided an engaging dive into Drupal’s evolution, especially with Starshot. It highlighted the latest developments, positioning Drupal as an even stronger competitor among CMSs. I could see Drupal’s growing adaptability and flexibility in site building and AI integration.

4. Exploring the Config Actions in Drupal Recipes

This was my favourite session! It covered the role of Config Actions in streamlining Drupal workflows. The speaker explained how these actions could simplify configuration tasks and make recipe building much easier. This inspired me to experiment with these features in my own projects.

Key Takeaways

The sessions left me with invaluable insights into Drupal’s future and practical ideas for my own work. I walked away with a better understanding of emerging tools and concepts shaping Drupal’s growth—whether it’s AI, container queries, or new configuration features.

Day 2: Code Contribution

On Day 2, the camp focused on contribution sprints. We dove into ongoing issues in Drupal, and I got to collaborate with others on open issues. There was something truly energizing about working alongside fellow Drupalers, all committed to making Drupal better. The experience embodied the saying, “We come for contribution and stay for community.” I learned more about Drupal’s future, strengthened my problem-solving skills, and contributed to something much bigger than myself.

Final Thoughts

Drupal Camp Pune was everything I hoped for and more. From working with the camp organizers to meeting people in person whom I’d only interacted with online, every moment was fulfilling. I’ve walked away with friendships, insights, and an even deeper commitment to the Drupal community. This experience solidified my belief that the Drupal community truly makes the platform what it is—a place where collaboration drives innovation and everyone’s contributions matter.