DigiGirlz High Technology Camps
Microsoft is proud to offer technology programs specifically for youth. One of our signature programs, DigiGirlz High Tech Camp for girls, works to dispel stereotypes of the high-tech industry. We continue to look for opportunities to give young people a chance to experience, firsthand, what it is like to develop cutting-edge technology.
About DigiGirlz High Tech Camps
DigiGirlz High Tech Camp is a technology camp for girls. Its goal is to educate and inspire girls by introducing them to the considerable opportunities and career choices available in the high-tech industry.
During the camp, the girls listen to executive speakers, participate in technology tours and demonstrations, network, and learn with hands-on experience in workshops. Established in 2000, the camp continues to grow and evolve.
2008 Summer Camp
Location | Date | Eligible grades for the 2007–2008 school year | Camp duration |
Charlotte, NC | August 4–7, 2008 | 8–11 | 4 days |
Fargo, ND | June 10–12, 2008 | 7–10 | 3 days |
Irvine, CA | August 18–19, 2008 | 9–12 | 2 days |
Las Colinas, TX | August 12–14, 2008 | 9–12 | 3 days |
Redmond, WA | August 11–15, 2008 | 9–12 | 5 days |
Stony Brook, NY | July 14–16, 2008 | 9–12 | 3 days |
Washington, D.C. | July 30–August 1, 2008 | 10–12 | 3 days |
Stockholm, Sweden | June and August 2008 | 8 | 3 days |
Find out more about eligibility
Note: Because the camps are filled to capacity, we can accept no more applications for this year. There are no waiting lists for the camps because we already accept more girls into the program than the number of spaces that are available in each camp—to account for last-minute cancellations. There are no plans for additional camps in 2008.
Please check this Web site in January 2009 for information about 2009 camp locations, camp eligibility requirements, and access to the online application tool for 2009.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much does the camp cost?
A. There is no cost associated with the camp. Microsoft provides the camp free of charge for attending girls.
Q. Is there a GPA requirement I have to meet to be accepted into the DigiGirlz camp?
A. No. There is not a GPA requirement. However, you must meet age and grade requirements to apply to a camp.
Q. If I don't live in one of the cities where camps are being offered, may I still apply and attend?
A. Yes. All girls who meet the age and grade requirements are encouraged to apply to any of the camps. However, Microsoft does not provide lodging and transportation for the camp. It is up to you to make your own arrangements and pay for these expenses.
Q. I don't see a camp in my state. Will there be any more camp locations this year?
A. All the 2008 camp location are listed in the preceding table
Q. I don't live in one of the cities where camps are being offered. How can I get a camp started in my city?
A. The camp locations are determined primarily by the location of Microsoft offices where Microsoft employees can participate in the planning and implementation of the multi-day events. For updated information about camp locations each year, check this Web site in January or February.
Q. I don’t live in the United States. May I still apply and attend?
A. Yes. All girls who meet the age and grade requirements are encouraged to apply to any of the camps. However, Microsoft does not provide lodging and transportation for the camp. It is up to you to make your own arrangements and pay for these expenses.
Q. Is this an overnight camp?
A. The camps are offered during the day only. The times may vary slightly by location. Microsoft does not provide lodging and transportation for the camp. Camp participants must make their own arrangements and pay for these expenses.
Q. I will enter the seventh grade in the fall. Am I eligible to apply for the camp?
A. You must be at least 13 years old at the time of application to be eligible, and you can apply only to camps that accept seventh graders (or the equivalent grade level in your country/region). The eligible grades that are listed in the previous table are the grade requirements for the 2007–2008 school year, but not for the 2008–2009 school year.
Q. I am a teacher. May I attend the camp to understand what my students are learning?
A. It is up to each camp coordinator to determine if adult observers are allowed to attend the camp. Some camps have allowed teachers to observe the camp so that the teachers can encourage girls to engage in technology programs throughout the school year. Microsoft is not able to offer continuing education credits for teacher attendance at this camp. If you are a teacher and are interested in observing the camp, please send an e-mail message to DigiGirlz High Tech Camp Questions and include the location of the camp you would like to observe. You will be contacted if the specific camp allows observers.
Q. I am a parent. May I attend the camp with my daughter?
A. Generally, parents are not allowed to attend the camps. If a camp participant has special needs that require a parent to serve as a personal attendant during the camp, let us know. Some camps have a camp closing event that parents are allowed to attend. If that option is available, information will be provided during the camp acceptance process.
Q. Which camps are still accepting applications?
A. Because the camps are filled to capacity, we can accept no more applications for this year. There are no waiting lists for the camps because we already accept more girls into the program than the number of spaces that are available in each camp—to account for last-minute cancellations. There are no plans for additional camps in 2008.
Please check this Web site in January 2009 for information about 2009 camp locations, camp eligibility requirements, and access to the online application tool for 2009.
Camp | Due date | Notification of acceptance |
Charlotte, NC | Filled to capacity | June 13, 2008 |
Fargo, ND | Filled to capacity | May 23, 2008 |
Irvine, CA | Filled to capacity | June 13, 2008 |
Las Colinas, TX | Filled to capacity | June 13, 2008 |
Redmond, WA | Filled to capacity | June 20, 2008 |
Stony Brook, NY | Filled to capacity | June 27, 2008 |
Washington, D.C. | Filled to capacity | June 13, 2008 |
Q. I applied to a camp by using the online application tool. When will I know if I have been accepted into the camp?
A. The table above lists acceptance notification dates for each camp. You will be notified no later than the date listed for the camp to which you applied.
Q. Is lunch provided or should I bring money?
A. Both breakfast and lunch are provided free of charge for camp attendees. Any special dietary needs that are requested will be addressed after you are accepted into the camp.
Q. Why do the camps accept girls from specific target grades only and why do these grades vary by camp?
A. There are several reasons why each camp focuses on girls from specific grade levels. These reasons include the number of girls a camp can accommodate, the required maturity level, and the content and complexity of the materials being presented.
Q. Why don't you have camps for girls in middle school?
A. DigiGirlz has chosen to focus primarily on girls in high school to introduce them to the considerable opportunities and career choices available in the high-tech industry. The goal is to solidify the link between school and work so that girls can make informed decisions during their high school and college years.
Q. Do you have a camp for boys?
A. No, we currently do not host camps for boys. The focus is on girls because of the following alarming statistics about girls in technology, from the NCWIT Scorecard 2007:
| • | Girls make up fewer than 15 percent of all Advanced Placement (AP) computer science test takers in secondary schools. This is the lowest representation of any AP discipline. | |
| • | Between 1983 and 2006, the share of computer science bachelor's degrees awarded to women dropped from 36 percent to 21 percent. | |
| • | Women hold half of professional positions overall but fewer than 22 percent of software engineering positions. | |
| • | Within in the top Fortune 500 IT companies, fewer than 5 percent of Chief Technical Officers (CTOs) are women. |
Download the NCWIT Scorecard 2007 (Portable Document Format file, 1.66 MB)
Q. What should I do if I have questions that aren't answered here?
A. If you have more questions about the DigiGirlz camps, send an e-mail message to DigiGirlz High Tech Camp Questions. Because of the number of e-mail messages we receive regarding the camps, we will not address questions that are already answered on this Web site.
DigiGirlz Testimonials
Here is what some DigiGirlz had to say about their experiences at the camp:
"From the first day, I was blown away from the support that everyone gave at Microsoft and how much everyone truly wanted us to be there. Even in the short time I was at Microsoft I learned so much about technology, but more about how people can achieve professions that they love and enjoy. Everyone's enthusiasm about their professions inspired me to find what I love and pursue it. Not only in technology, but in life."
"I am now much, much more interested in technology-related careers. They are so much fun."
"I thought you had to be a geek to work here, but this camp changed my mind."
"It definitely had a positive impact on me. It got me inspired to get involved and really gave me confidence to live out my dreams. It gave me great ideas and I am so excited to continue on!"
