Game On! Girl Scouts of the USA and Dell power up to invest in our future

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Oct 14, 2014, 07:01 ET

NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dell and Girl Scouts of the USA have come together to support Information Communications Technology programming for underserved girls and a number of Girl Scout councils with the enhanced "Be the Video Game Developer" Program. The two-year investment of $788,500 from Dell Powering the Possible Youth Learning launches girls' creativity to the moon.

"Be the Video Game Developer" program puts girls in the driver's seat of ideation in video game development. Learning rules, goals, space, components and core mechanics in addition to experiencing designing, testing, re-designing and re-testing allows girls to learn, grow and control their own virtual reality.

"We are very excited to be giving girls the opportunity to gain this invaluable, hands-on glimpse into the world of video game programming for another two years," said GSUSA national CEO Anna Maria Chavez. "Keeping girls ahead of the global technology curve means ensuring they have the opportunity to interface with new technologies and to gain the skills and confidence needed to be leaders in the emerging fields of tomorrow. Through this partnership with Dell, we are continuing to give girls everywhere the opportunity to tap into their own potential in the world of video game design."

Entering the third year of the game, there are enhancements for mobile devices plus new versions which make girls problem solve using coding. Girls are not only scoring points or collecting badges in their gaining knowledge and exposure to a whole new world of opportunity. For some girls it's making their dreams a reality. For Dell and Girl Scouts of the USA, it's investing in our future.

"Engaging girls with technology at a young age is critical to developing the next generation of female business leaders," said Trisa Thompson, vice president of Corporate Responsibility at Dell. "Girl Scouts empowers young women and makes technology fun. It's a fantastic partnership for us."

In the first two years of the game, about 2,700 girls were inspired including Girl Scouts from Central Texas, Middle Tennessee, Nation's Capital, Northern California and Western Oklahoma councils. In the next two years, we plan to surpass that number and continue to positively impact girls' lives.

We're Girl Scouts of the USA
We're the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. It began over 100 years ago, in 1912, with one woman, Girl Scouts' founder Juliette Gordon "Daisy" Low, who believed in the power of every girl. Today, we continue her vision of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Juliette organized the first Girl Scout troop on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, and today, we continue her vision of helping girls discover their strengths, passions, and talents. And with programs for American girls from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to do something amazing. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.girlscouts.org.

About Dell
Dell listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services that give them the power to do more. Powering the Possible is Dell's commitment to put technology and expertise to work where it can do the most good for people and the planet. Dell works with nonprofits to address pressing social issues by donating a combination of Dell technologies and solutions, funding, expertise and volunteer support. In 2013, Dell directly helped 590,000 youth through its strategic giving programs, and Dell team members volunteered more than 739,000 hours in their communities. Learn more at www.dell.com/communities.

SOURCE Girl Scouts of the USA