Girls Geek Out

Confidence

Learning technical skills is only the beginning. We want our campers to see that their IT skills have real world value, and instill in them the confidence to ensure that their knowlege and skills won't be second guessed.

Leadership

Knowing when and where to apply IT skills to solve problems is the key to success, and that means trying new approaches while working with other people. Our camp includes team-building exercises and team-based work so that our campers learn how to plan, get organized, and work effectively with others.

Technical Skills

You can't geek out without IT skills! Our IT curriculum starts with computer hardware and works all the way up the stack to applications, because we want our campers to understand how all the IT parts work together. When they get home, campers should be able to diagnose and fix problems with their home computers and networks, and be ready to help build the technology tools of tomorrow.

What is Girls Geek Out?

A five day information technology summer camp for middle schoolers, June 23rd to 27th, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, offered at AppState through the Walker College of Business. Lunch will be provided.

Who is it for?

We accept middle schoolers who are currently in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade that are interested in IT. We want our campers to know there is a community in IT that will provide them encouragement and resources so they can pursue their dreams. The cost is $450 per camper. Need-based scholarships are available.

More than just programming

In small teams, campers take apart and reassemble a computer, connect their computers to form a network, and build an application, all while learning a lot about teamwork and leadership. On Wednesday, they will tour a local company to see how important these skills are in the real world.

Career and education connections

CIS students at AppState serve as counselors and role models to guide the campers through the learning process. Successful IT professionals serve as mentors throughout the week: they will eat lunch with the campers and talk about how they made it in the IT business.

Are you interested?

We accept middle schoolers who are currently in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade that are interested in IT. In your application, you will write a 1-2 paragraph short essay explaining why you are interested in computers, information technology, coding, and/or cybersecurity.

Apply To Experience All That IT Can Be!

Download and fill out the form below to apply for one of our camper seats. Need-based scholarships are available.

COMING SOON

Need-based scholarships are available

We want to be sure that there are no barriers to joining our camp! If the cost is an obstacle, let us know in your application and we will find a donor to cover your registration fee.

Why should you become a mentor?

Because you're a role model! Our campers don't see many women working in IT in movies or TV, so they may not realize how many successful women are already in the business. You'll give our campers a taste of real life success stories, and be someone they can aspire to be like, and someone who gives invaluable knowledge and insight as they choose their education path.

What are mentors expected to do?

Have lunch and tell us your story! You'll meet our campers on one day of the week, give a short talk and maybe coach them on a cool tech skill, then it's time for lunch and talk about how you became successful in the IT field. After the Girls have "Geeked Out" for the week, you're also invited back to meet them again for lunch Friday to see what they learned and accomplished, give them a big cheer, and talk about their future plans.

How do you become a mentor?

Contact Us (info@girlsgeekout.org). We ask our mentors to consider donating to help us achieve our goal of 10 campers supported by scholarships. Download and fill out the form below to donate, apply to be a mentor, and be a force of change in our campers' IT careers!

Donation form Mentor Apply Download

Ready to donate?

As you donate don't hesitate to recommend someone or apply to become a mentor! Download, fill out, and mail the form below to donate, and be a force of change in our campers' IT careers!

Donation form Mentor Apply Download

Give to Girls Geek Out

Donate Online Instructions:

To donate online using a credit or debit card :

Click on the "Give to Girls Geek Out" button and a new tab will open.
After you've filled out your contribution amount, select "Walker College of Business" under the "Fund Choice" dropdown list.
Once you have the drop-down menu expanded, select Department of Computer Information Systems
Fill out the rest of the information
Finally, notify us when you make your donation so we can highlight you on our social media!

If you are donating $1,000 or more, we’d like to feature you on our web site and on the camp t-shirts! Please send a high-resolution logo to Russell Haines: hainesrp@appstate.edu