All About Girls-Focused STEM Camps

In the ever-evolving world of STEM, a movement is growing to break down stereotypes and encourage more girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Despite exhibiting similar early performance in math and science, girls or individuals identifying with girlhood or as female often lose interest in these subjects by middle school due to societal norms, according to the National Girls Collaborative Project.

At Camps for Curious Minds, our girl-focused summer camps aim to empower girls to confidently explore and enjoy STEM fields, challenging stereotypes and fostering enthusiasm. Join us as we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11, inspiring the next generation of female leaders in science and technology—all while having a blast and creating lasting memories!

Building Confidence and Breaking Barriers

Supporting Girls in STEM is a collective effort that involves individuals, families, educators, and communities. Building confidence is crucial, and it starts with encouragement and support from guardians, teachers, and mentors. Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool to help girls see their own potential.

Moreover, mentorship and community play pivotal roles in empowering girls in STEM, providing them with guidance and support through mentorship programs, such as Discovery Corps, STEM clubs, and women-focused networks. These connections create a sense of belonging and reinforce the idea that they have a community in their pursuit of STEM interests.

Additionally, hands-on learning experiences are invaluable in sparking enthusiasm. Offering opportunities for girls to engage in hands-on STEM activities helps them experience the joys of discovery and build their self-efficacy.

Finally, celebrating mistakes is vital to the learning process, and fostering a growth mindset can help girls overcome their fears of failure. By working together to create a supportive, inclusive, and equitable environment, we can empower girls to thrive in STEM and help close the gender gap.

Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It’s your place in the world; it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it and make it the life you want to live. Mae Jemison (First African American woman astronaut in space)

What is a Girl-Focused Camps?

At Camps for Curious Minds, we believe in creating an environment where all youth can thrive. Girls-Focused camps are designed to provide a space where girls, trans youth, gender non-conforming, and/or non-binary youth can bond over shared STEM interests. We take pride in highlighting the incredible contributions made by women and gender non-conforming scientists, making our sessions both educational and empowering.

Our expert instructors are passionate about encouraging young minds and provide guidance, mentorship, and encouragement, ensuring that every camper feels supported on their journey. Our engaging curriculum is tailored to make STEM engaging and relatable.

Through hands-on experiments, projects, and real-world applications, girls can witness the exciting possibilities that STEM has to offer.

One unique aspect of our girls-focused camps is the intentional inclusion of female-identifying educators who bring a diverse range of experiences and expertise to the sessions. This approach is part of our commitment to combatting the gender disparity in STEM career fields.

Our girls-focused summer camps are not only about learning; they are about empowerment and inspiration.

Who Can Attend a Girl-Focused Session?

The answer is simple: everyone!

While our focus is on creating a space for those who identify with or have experienced girlhood, boys and male-identifying children are always welcome. We have received wonderful feedback from male campers who have thoroughly enjoyed these sessions, contributing to a vibrant and inclusive camp environment.

If your camper is comfortable in a setting where the majority are girls, we wholeheartedly encourage you to sign up for the Girls Focused session. Our goal is to make STEM exploration accessible and enjoyable for all, regardless of gender identity.

How Do You Decide What Camps Are Girl-Focused?

At camp, we are dedicated to ensuring an inclusive and welcoming environment for all campers. To decide which camps are girl-focused, we implement an annual rotation system that covers all our camp options.

This rotation ensures that every camper, regardless of gender identity, can experience sessions that are specifically designed to be girl focused. We believe in providing a diverse and equitable range of experiences, allowing each participant to feel comfortable and supported in their exploration of STEM.

By rotating through all the camp options, we aim to foster a sense of inclusivity, ensuring that every camper has a chance to feel welcome and inspired in our programs.

Want to learn more about the 100+ summer camps that PacSci has to offer? Download our 2024 Camp Guide!

Camps for Curious Minds are presented by Bristol Myers Squibb and First Tech Federal Credit Union. Additional generous support provided by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

PacSci’s generous supporters include more than 1,500 individuals, companies, and foundations, as well as more than 13,000 member households. This generous support brings to life PacSci’s mission to ignite curiosity in every corner of Washington State and beyond.