About

Kode With Klossy is a free two-week coding camp for young women, gender nonconforming, and trans teens ages 13–18, offered both virtually and in-person across multiple U.S. cities each summer. Founded in 2015 by model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss, the program has grown into one of the most recognizable free coding initiatives in the country, with in-person sessions running in cities including Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, and Washington D.C., alongside a virtual track open to scholars globally.

No prior coding experience is required or expected. Scholars are placed into one of four curriculum tracks based on availability and prior experience: Web Development (JavaScript, HTML, CSS), Machine Learning (AI fundamentals, image classifiers, bias in technology), Mobile App Development (Swift, SwiftUI, Xcode), and Data Science (SQL, Python, data visualization). Each track culminates in a final project — a functional website, app, or data visualization — presented on a demo day. Camps are co-taught by two licensed educators supported by at least two instructor assistants. Beyond technical instruction, each session includes a speaker series featuring women in technology ranging from startup founders to engineers to executives, and alumni gain access to ongoing mentorship and career resources including LinkedIn profile support and technical interview preparation.

The application consists of two short-response questions, answerable in writing or by video, focused on creativity, community-mindedness, and passion for technology — not technical ability. Camps are entirely free to scholars; access to a device is not required for the virtual track.

By 2021 more than 8,000 scholars had completed the program, and corporate partners include Apple, Google, Goldman Sachs, and Estée Lauder. For eligible teens with curiosity about technology and no idea where to begin, Kode With Klossy is one of the most accessible and respected starting points.