Gems Camp is a week-long day camp that serves 140 or so middle and high school girls by providing hands-on activities, experience using computer applications to do science and math, exposure to laboratories, and opportunities to conduct research projects. While providing opportunities to interact with brainy female role models, and opportunities to work side-by-side with mentors across the community. The goal of Gems (Girls Engaged in Math and Science) is to provide a low-level understanding of opportunities in the computer science field mixed with lots of fun. By exposing girls to computer science in a fun, positive, and creative way they might consider taking more math and science classes in high school and college – typically a time where girls lose interest in the sciences.

There is a dramatic gender gap in computer science departments nationwide, but with outreach initiatives like Gems Camp, the enrollment number for girls is steadily increasing. Not all camp attendees will pursue a career in CS, they hope exposure and greater understanding might lead to a career in the sciences.