While the participants are encouraged to use TDD, this is no strict rule. The goal is to write the best, cleanest code you possibly can.
What I've found the most value in, is that you get to pair with 6-7 different programmers you've probably never met before - and thus you get to learn how other people approach the problem, you'll learn how your skills compare to those of others and you'll also learn a lot of little things, e.g. IDE shortcuts you didn't know of.
And you usually get to program in a language you might not be familiar with.
I've already attended two code retreats and it was very, very well worth it!
What I've found the most value in, is that you get to pair with 6-7 different programmers you've probably never met before - and thus you get to learn how other people approach the problem, you'll learn how your skills compare to those of others and you'll also learn a lot of little things, e.g. IDE shortcuts you didn't know of.
And you usually get to program in a language you might not be familiar with.
I've already attended two code retreats and it was very, very well worth it!