Learn from the source, from the women that can inspire these young girls.

Perfect for International Women’s Day (March 8th) – for young girls that have a dream to work in the gaming industry on the development side, there is good news! Girls Make Games is teaming up with PlayStation for a game development summer camp and we are on board!

Girls Makes Games is based out of the Bay Area in California and their sole aim is to close the gender gap within the gaming industry – they hold events world-wide to share information and resources to make this happen. For more information, you can check out their website right here!

The summer camp for game development is open for young girls ages 11-14 and is the perfect opportunity to learn about the trade and make friends with similar interests. Here’s what Laila Shabir, the CEO of Girls Makes Games, had to say in a blog post:

Numerous reports have shed light on the growing number of female gamers, but less than 15% of the games industry workforce is women. This is not because girls or women are not interested in making games – GMG’s growth proves otherwise. We’re thrilled about working with PlayStation to encourage and empower more young women to learn about and pursue careers in technology and game development.”

The camp itself spans from July 10th to the 28th and here are just a few of the things they will learn with their time there:

• Design
• Programming
• Publishing games
• Team building activities
• Creation of a fully functioning game
• Visiting local game studios
• Network with professionals in the industry

This is a huge opportunity for young women so that the coming generations of people in the field is more balanced for those who wish to work in the industry. Participants at this camp will also be eligible for scholarship opportunities courtesy of PlayStation – and that’s not all. Those that take part in the scholarship offered will be given access to a mentorship program lead by women executives and more in the current industry. Learn from the source, from the women that can inspire these young girls.

It’s important for all of us at PlayStation to maintain a diverse and inclusive community that brings people together through their shared love of gaming” – Shawn Layden, Chairmen of PlayStation’s Worldwide Studios

Interested? Here’s the gist of the info you need to get started, as per their post:

• Dates
  • July 10-28 (Monday – Friday)
• Hours
  • 10 AM – 4 PM
• Tuition
  • $1500 (Financial aid IS AVAILABLE)
• Venue
  • Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC, 2207 Bridgepoint Parkway – San Mateo, CA 94404
• Register HERE

How does that sound gamers? Have any young women in your life (daughters, nieces, etc) that you think could be inspired by this? Join in on the conversation in the comment section below and tell us your thoughts! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for all of your gaming and entertainment news live 24/7!