How to address the gender gap in STEM has been widely debated. Among the ways to encourage females to pursue STEM careers are outreach programs offered by schools and universities. This manuscript reviews the implementation of a novel program, the Women in Science Experience (WISE), a STEM-focused residential summer camp for high school females, located on the campus of a small university in the USA. Upon the conclusion of WISE, participants were asked to respond to a series of open-ended questions about their perceptions of science and science careers. Using thematic analysis, responses were coded and organized. Three themes emerged from this analysis. Love of Science showed how WISE participants appreciate science. Aspirations for Success resulted from career and life interests. Impact of WISE demonstrated how students' experiences at WISE affected future goals. The findings from this article speak to ongoing debates about how to maintain interest in STEM fields by females in secondary and post-secondary education.