AAUW’s Tech Trek Camp receives grant funds
AAUW of Bend Central Oregon Tech Trek Co-Director Kim DeBroux announced receipt of a number of grants for support of the AAUW sponsored 2018 Tech Trek Camp. The Tech Trek Camp, in its second year locally, is being held on OSU-Cascades Campus June 24-30.
The American Association of University Women, AAUW, has worked hard for decades to achieve Equal Pay, and good jobs in the STEM fields for women are one way of reaching that goal.
A number of amazing grants and donations have been received to help defray the costs of putting on this camp, approximately $1,200 per camper, which is organized completely by volunteers from AAUW members and friends.
Among grants received are grants from AAUW of Oregon, Arconic, Bend Soroptimist Service Foundation, the Bend Foundation, the Bill Healy Foundation, Cascades East Health Education Center, Central Oregon Association of Realtors, Evergreen Home Loans-Linda Fisher Berlanga, Oregon Community Foundation Donor Advised Fund (anonymous, for 3 years), Juan Young Foundation, Rotary Club of Crook County, St. Charles Foundation, Sunriver-La Pine Rotary Club, Sunriver Women’s Club, Symantec, and Wells Fargo Charitable Foundation.
In addition, sponsorship donations have been received from AAUW members, Big Foot Beverages, Bom Dia Coffee, Coldwell Banker Morris Real Estate, Costco, Gary Gruner Chevrolet – Madras, Kiwanis Club of Prineville, La Pine Lions Club, Pahlisch Homes, Rotary E-Club of the West, Rotary Club of Sisters, Bend MLS Realtors and Associates, and Kathi Friedman.
This year, the camp has 61 young ladies registering from Jefferson, Crook and Deschutes counties, representing 14 middle schools from Warm Springs to La Pine, and Tumalo to Prineville.
The camp is unique, in that the core classes and STEM related workshops are hands-on; the girls visit with female STEM fields professionals; they experience the staying on the college campus; the 8 th grade age group is the sweet spot for needing to emphasize Science and Math; and the girls are able to learn from women about cyber security, aeronautical engineering, and many other STEM careers.
After 20 years of providing these camps across the nation, AAUW has shown that camp participants are more likely to stick with math and science-related courses in high school and into college than the average female student.
The organization is still seeking grant funding and donations to benefit this important camp offering. The group’s hope is to fully fund the camp by donations and grants, except for a minimal $50 fee from the families of the girls attending. It is possible to “sponsor a girl”, “sponsor a core class” or “sponsor a workshop” for the camp. Contributions are tax-deductible under 501 (c) 3 regulations. Contact Co-Director Kim DeBroux, kimdebroux@yahoo.com , or (714) 914-1078, for further information.
The Central Oregon Tech Trek is presented by AAUW Bend Branch, with help from AAUW of Oregon, OSU-Cascades AAUW, OSU-Open Campus and Better Together.
