Camp $tart-Up at The Johnson School

The Johnson School is one of the country's leading business schools, located at the center of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Cornell is the largest of the Ivy League universities and one of the world's top research institutions, nestled in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York State.

The Camp $tart-Up program was brought to Cornell by a group of Johnson School students who wanted to empower young women and introduce them to the world of business. They teamed up with Independent Means and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the Johnson School to hold the first Camp $tart-Up at Cornell in the summer of 2002.

Camp $tart-Up is an important initiative to the Johnson School and its Office of Diversity and Inclusion aimed to combat the relatively low enrollment of women in graduate business programs. The most effective way to increase the pool of qualified women for business education, and in business itself, is to reach out to them at a younger age and to teach them fundamental business and leadership skills.

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Camp $tart-Up in the News

CU camp seeks to get girls more interested in world of business
The Ithaca Journal - April 2, 2007

Beyond the Lemonade Stand
BusinessWeek - January 11, 2007
A look at programs for high school students at major universities mentions the Johnson School's Camp $tart-Up.

Testimonials

Camp Startup has meant so much to me. I learned many new business skills and strategies that have boosted my confidence in succeeding in the business world. I feel that I am ready to tackle new challenges with the experience learned. The program was a great opportunity for me to be with other girls like myself and the diversity of the girls showed me how different and unique we are in our own way. - Geneva Johnson, 2005 Camper

Camp $tart-up helped me to explore business and to realize what aspects of business I find more enjoyable. After completing camp, I found myself exploring different careers and seriously considering going to college for business-related studies.
- Cady Fontana, 2005 Camper

I was the president of my group at our camp and I was absolutely in love with the whole process of working together with my teammates in putting together a business plan. I came to the camp with an interest in business and the camp gave me the tools and information that I was looking for. Overall, it was an amazing experience with amazing people who wanted to learn and amazing teachers and counselors who were interested in sharing their knowledge with us. I am so glad that I participated! - Rina Restaino, 2004 Camper

Camp $tart-Up definitely got me thinking about how to write a business plan. I got to see how mission statements help and I've kept all of my notebooks from camp. Camp has opened my eyes to business and what investors look for. - Alexandria Masiak, 2003 Camper