1. Bookmark apcs.mathorama.com and install
   1. The Java SDK (I would recommend Java SDK 8 or a more current version. See what version is currently the widely used )
   2. Blue J (version 3.17 or 5.03)
   3. Eclipse For Java Developers
2. The Podcast has some videos that focus on installing your software: Getting Started with BlueJ, Windows7 Installation. You make want to see the list of videos
3. Sign up at SoloLearn and take the free Java Tutorial at http://www.sololearn.com (Seems to work better in Firefox for me). You will get a certificate if you complete all 7 Java Modules. If you can't do all, do as many as you can.
4. Learn the Basics at www.learnJavaOnline.org (the first 7 tutorials: “Hello, World!”, “Variables and Types”, “Conditionals”, “Arrays”, “Loops”, “Functions”, and “Objects”)
5. If you are hungry for more, or want to really start at a gentle pace,try the Intro Course at http://studio.code.org.
6. Sign In/Sign Up at SoloLearn. It is VERY Important that you get some basics about programming in Java before August. Fortunately there is an excellent free intro at SoloLearn.com.

Select the free Java Course (NOT Javascript–it's different) where you can complete 6 topics to get a certificate. You also accrue XP (experience points). There is a combination of demos, videos, and practice exercises before you qualify for a certificate.

If you have never coded before, then you may only have time for completing the first module called “Basic Concepts” (lessons from “1.1 Introduction to Java” until “9.1 Code project”), but the more modules you complete, the better prepared you will be (and the easier you will find this class).

If you already have coding experience, you will definitely benefit by completing all 6 modules FTW (well, “for the certificate” in this case“). It will you take less time if you press the “Take a Shortcut” button and complete each of the Code Projects at the end of each Module.

There will be a quiz on the first day of class base on the Java tutorials mentioned above.