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
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.
| U.S. DigiGirlz High Tech Camp Location |
Camp Dates |
Camper Eligibility Requirements |
| Fargo, ND |
June 9–11, 2009 |
Priority acceptance given to first-time campers. Must be 13 at time of application and in grade 7-10 in the 2008-2009 school year. |
| Irvine, CA |
July 13–14, 2009 |
Only first-time campers accepted. Must be 13 at time of application and in grade 8-12 in the 2008-2009 school year. |
| Irving/Las Colinas, TX |
July 14–16, 2009 |
Must be 13 at time of application and in grade 8-11 in the 2008-2009 school year. |
| Washington DC (Metropolitan Area) |
July 15–17, 2009 |
Only first-time campers accepted. Must be 13 at time of application and in grade 9-11 in the 2008-2009 school year. |
| Stony Brook, NY |
July 21–23, 2009 |
Must be 13 at time of application and in grade 8-12 in the 2008-2009 school year. |
| St. Louis, MO |
August 3-5, 2009 |
Only first-time campers accepted. Must be 13 at time of application and in grade 8-12 in the 2008-2009 school year. |
| Charlotte, NC |
August 3–6, 2009 |
Only first-time campers accepted. Must be 13 at time of application and in grade 8-11 in the 2008-2009 school year. |
| Redmond, WA |
August 10–14, 2009 |
No longer accepting applications. |
| Los Angeles, CA |
August 27–28, 2009 |
Only first-time campers accepted. Must be 13 at time of application and in grade 8-12 in the 2008-2009 school year. |
| Pittsburgh, PA |
September 11-12, 2009 |
Must be 13 at time of application and in grade 7-9 in the 2008-2009 school year. This camp will be an overnight camp and has a small fee associated to cover the accommodations. Applications due by July 3rd. |
| International DigiGirlz High Tech Camp Location |
Camp Dates |
Camper Eligibility Requirements |
| Denmark |
April 6 & 27, 2009 and May 2 & 11, 2009 |
Must be age 15-17 at the time of application and in the 2008-2009 school year. |
| Stockholm, Sweden |
June 15-17, 2009 and June 16-18, 2009 |
Grades 8-9 |
| Luleå, Sweden |
June 15-18, 2009 |
Grades 8-9 |
| Shanghai, China |
Early August |
Grades 10-11; Local Students Only |
| Stockholm, Sweden |
August 12-14, 2009 and August 14, 17-18, 2009 |
Grades 8-9 |
| Switzerland |
August 13–14, 2009 |
2nd and 3rd year at Kantonsschule (~High School, 16–17 years old) |
DigiGirlz Camp Application
High Tech Camp F.A.Q.
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Q. How do I apply to attend a camp?
A. We will start accepting on-line applications on February 24, 2009 for the Redmond, WA; Charlotte, NC and Fargo, ND camps. All other camp registrations will open in March. Please continue to check this site for updates and information on the camp you are interested in attending.
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. 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). Most of the camps are targeted towards students currently in high school. Grade eligibility requirements for individual camp locations will be posted starting in February 2009.
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. 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)
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!"
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