Finding The Right Camp For Your Child (NAPSA)—There’s a science to finding the right camp for your daughter—and for some girls the right camp may focus on science. It’s important to consider your girl’s interests, experiences and personality when choosing a camp. Will she feel comfortable in a small group or large one? Some children enjoy an overnight camping experience while others prefer a day camp. Does she like crafts or sports or math? Campactivities can center around aninterest such as theater, tennis, soccer, or science or have the more traditional approach of finding ways to enjoy nature. For some girls, a camp that focuses on technology and engineering can be just what they need to feel confident about pursuing education and a career in thosefields. For example, the week-long EXITE camps are day camps for middle-school girls, ages 11 to 13, that showcase career opportunities in technology and engineering. The camps introducegirls to female role models who demonstrate what they achieve in these fields and provide hands-on experiences in technical activities that are fun, challenging and educational. Activities include Web page design, computer chip design, laser optics, animation robotics, as well as working with computer hardware andsoftware. ExITE stands for Exploring Interests in Technology and Engineering. Studies have shown that girls are often discouraged from pursuing technical careers and camp can be one wayto help build skills and confidence during these critical teen years. IBM sponsors the campsas part of its commitment and dedication to diversity. It’s hoped that the camps At one camp,girls are encouraged to pursue a career in technology. will stimulate interest in the currently 500,000 unfilled jobs in the information technology field in the U.S. alone, with low numbers of women pursuing these fields, and to encourage innovation. As an employer of large numbers of technical workers, IBM wants to encourage women to enter the technology workforce as developers and marketers of future products and services. This year, more than 1,500 students will participate in 48 IBM camps around the world. Camp participants are selected by counselors and teachers based on demonstrated ability, creativity and interest in math andscience. Students are also selected based on individual accomplishment and their aptitude in math andscience. When the campsconclude, girls can stay in touch with the technical women at IBM through an e-mentoring program. So far, most girls have found the camps to be an effective motivational experience. Parents may want to contact their child’s school to see if the school participates in the program. For general information on camps, visit the American Camp Association at www.aca.org. To learn more about EXITE, visit www.IBM.com.
