Supermodel Karlie Kloss is not just gracing magazine covers and runways; she’s also coding a brighter future for young women in technology. Through her educational initiative, Kode With Klossy, Kloss is on a mission to bridge the gender gap in the tech industry, and it’s rapidly expanding its reach and impact. What started as a small scholarship program has blossomed into a nationwide network of Carly Kloss Coding Camps, igniting a passion for STEM in hundreds of young women.
Launched in 2015, Kode With Klossy began by offering 21 scholarships for young women to enroll in coding courses at the Flatiron School, the very institution where Kloss herself took her first steps into the world of programming. Building on this initial success, the program expanded to host its own independent summer camps in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and St. Louis in 2016. The momentum continues to surge, and in 2017, Carly Kloss coding camp locations grew to 15 camps across 10 cities, extending opportunities to aspiring young coders in Oakland, Chicago, Austin, Detroit, Miami, Atlanta, and New Orleans. These camps offer girls aged 13 to 18 the chance to immerse themselves in software engineering and learn the fundamentals of Ruby on Rails, a powerful and versatile programming language.
“It’s very much beyond just me at this point,” Kloss emphasized in an interview. “My vision for what Kode with Klossy can become is just a really powerful community of like-minded girls with shared passion to be the change that they want to see in the world — and to transform the status quo of the disproportionate amount of men and women in the tech industry.” This vision is becoming a reality as the Carly Kloss coding camp network fosters a sense of sisterhood and empowers young women to become leaders and innovators.
Rapid Growth and Expanding Opportunities
The expansion of Kode With Klossy has been nothing short of remarkable. “It really has grown beyond my wildest dreams, and yet there’s so much room for growth moving forward,” Kloss remarked. The program’s ability to scale rapidly is a testament to the demand and the effectiveness of its approach. By connecting young women with valuable learning opportunities, Carly Kloss coding camps are tapping into a vast pool of talent and ambition across the country.
Alumni of the Carly Kloss coding camp are already making waves. Kloss proudly shares stories of girls who have leveraged their coding skills to achieve significant accomplishments. One group secured a $50,000 scholarship after participating in a camp, while others have launched their own ventures, including a fashion magazine and projects focused on social impact. These success stories highlight the transformative power of the skills learned at Carly Kloss coding camps and the long-term impact of the program.
A Vision for the Future: Beyond Just Coding
Kloss envisions Kode With Klossy as more than just a coding education program; it’s a launchpad for future leaders and innovators in various fields. “These skills can be so valuable in any industry, and the young women in our camps are really aware of how powerful this skill set is,” she explains. The curriculum at Carly Kloss coding camps is designed to equip girls with not only technical skills but also critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative abilities that are essential in today’s rapidly evolving world.
The ultimate goal is to continue to support these young women in their educational and career aspirations and to expand access to Carly Kloss coding camp opportunities for as many girls as possible. Kloss is committed to scaling the program without compromising the high-impact, personalized learning experience that has become a hallmark of Kode With Klossy.
Addressing Gender Disparity and Fostering a Supportive Community
While Carly Kloss coding camps are not explicitly focused on sexism in the tech industry, the all-girls environment inherently addresses gender disparity by creating a supportive and empowering space. “Our camp is an all-girl camp, and there is this real sisterhood that forms and a real strength with that,” Kloss notes. This single-gender environment allows girls to learn and grow without the pressures and biases that can sometimes exist in co-ed settings.
The presence of women in tech as teachers and role models at Carly Kloss coding camps further reinforces the message that technology is a field where women can thrive. These instructors share their experiences and inspire campers, demonstrating firsthand the possibilities and pathways for women in the tech industry. The emphasis is on creating a positive and encouraging atmosphere where girls feel confident to explore their potential and pursue their passions in STEM.
Building a Lasting Community
The sense of community fostered by Carly Kloss coding camps extends far beyond the summer program itself. Kloss recounts a heartwarming experience where girls from different camps across the country spontaneously came together to support her at a runway show in her hometown of St. Louis. “They all self-organized — they’re in constant communication and have really built strong friendships,” she shared. This anecdote exemplifies the powerful network and lasting bonds that are formed through Kode With Klossy, creating a supportive ecosystem for young women in tech that extends well into the future.
Kode With Klossy and the Carly Kloss coding camps are not just about learning to code; they are about building confidence, fostering community, and empowering the next generation of women to become leaders and innovators in technology and beyond. Karlie Kloss’s vision is transforming the landscape of tech, one line of code, and one summer camp, at a time.
