About Our Camp

Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations…If you adopt their attitudes, then the possibility won’t exist because you’ll have already shut it out … You can hear other people’s wisdom, but you’ve got to re-evaluate the world for yourself.
Mae Jemison, Astronaut, first African American in space

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.
Marie Curie, Physicist, Two-time Nobel Laureate

Don’t be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don’t let others discourage you or tell you that you can’t do it. In my day I was told women didn’t go into chemistry. I saw no reason why we couldn’t.
Gertrude B. Elion, Biochemist, Nobel Laureate

Science and everyday life cannot and should not be separated.
Rosalind Franklin, Biophysicist

What do all of these quotes have in common? They were all said by women in STEM or science, technology, engineering, and math! We are looking for the next generation of STEM women-in-training for “Tech Trek” at Tillamook Bay Community College in Tillamook, Oregon. “Tech Trek” is a week-long residential camp experience for girls with a love of science, technology, engineering or math! Girls going into the 8th grade will be nominated by their science or math teachers to attend. After being nominated, the girls will then apply and interview for to be a part of “Tech Trek” this upcoming summer.

To keep “Tech Trek” affordable for all girls, we will be raising funds and asking for donations.  AAUW Branches, Individuals, and Corporate sponsors are all needed to make this dream a reality! We are currently seeking assistance with identifying girls to attend the camp. In addition, we are looking for a variety of camp staff, including: teachers with a passion for and expertise in STEM disciplines, 1-day presenters to conduct hands-on workshops, 1-day STEM professionals to talk about their STEM careers, ‘Dorm Moms’ to stay in the dorms and be a touchstone for these girls, and student counselors to assist with a variety of activities during the camp week. Don’t miss out on your chance to create interest, excitement, and self-confidence in girls with an interest in STEM!

“Tech Trek” is a model that AAUW has been using in California since 1998, beginning at Stanford University. Over the last 20 years, “Tech Trek” camps have expanded to 21 college campuses across the country. A team of AAUW members in Tillamook applied for and received a $10,000 grant from National AAUW office in DC to assist with the development of the first “Tech Trek” camp in Oregon that was held in the summer of 2014. Tillamook Tech Trek is now going on its 6th year, having served over 160 girls. We are excited to give Oregon’s girls this additional chance to begin a successful path toward college and entering the STEM workforce.

We are asking Oregon AAUW Branches, local businesses, and individuals to participate in this effort through sponsorships and donations, volunteering to organize or implement the camp, and recruiting girls to participate. Particularly, we need to raise funds to make it a successful endeavor!  To keep the cost of attendance low for each camper, we need to fundraise, write grants, and get sponsorships to cover the true camp costs. You can contribute directly at the Donation tab on this website or by sending your check to AAUW, attn: Finance Department, 1310 L. Street. NW, Washington, DC, 20005, with “Tech Trek Oregon” on the memo line.

Donate to AAUW Tech Trek button

Thank you for playing a critical role in the advancement of girls in STEM!