J Camp Survey: Young Students Still See Journalism as a Viable Option
J Camp Alumni: Who are they and where are they now? (PDF 2.1mb)
J Camp 2008 students (PDF 37k)
Video: CNN's
Richard Lui
talks about
J Camp
AAJA is pleased to announce J Camp, a multicultural journalism program for talented high school students. The program was held from August 7 to August 12, 2009 in Boston, MA. If you have any questions regarding J Camp, please contact Nao Vang, AAJA Student Programs Coordinator at: (415) 346- 2051 x102 or programs@aaja.org. See the news announcement.
J Camp's goal is to develop the next generation of journalists. This six-day training camp brings together a multicultural group of high school students from across the nation to sharpen their journalism skills and work together in a unique learning environment. The curriculum consists of interactive workshops, hands-on training, and field trips.
Since the first J Camp in 2001, 293 talented young people have graduated from J Camp. The Annie E. Casey Foundation provided support this year to conduct a survey of J Camp alumni, with results to be unveiled at the UNITY Convention in Chicago.
J Camp strives to help assure excellence in the profession for decades to come by confronting the lack of diversity in journalism, not just in race, but also in matters of religious background, political background and other factors. With a diverse team, readers and viewers get different views on city governments, human interest stories, entertainment and recreation, science and medicine, and national and international news.
Speakers from past camps include: Carl Bernstein, Pulitzer Prize-winning Watergate reporter; Aaron Brown, CNN anchor; James Colton, Sports Illustrated photography editor; Leonard Downie Jr., Washington Post executive editor; Hoda Kotb, "Dateline NBC" correspondent; Atoosa Rubenstein, Seventeen magazine editor-in-chief; Carole Simpson, ABC News senior correspondent; Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., New York Times publisher; Helen Thomas, Hearst Newspapers Washington columnist; and Brian Williams, "NBC Nightly News" anchor and managing editor.
Applicants demonstrated a keen interest in broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, photojournalism, or new media. This program is not limited to Asian American students and is open to all young journalists. Applicants must be freshmen, sophomores, or juniors for this current school year. There is no fee to apply and all costs are covered - including airfare, lodging, and meals. Students will stay in university housing during the camp week.
J Camp 2008 is made possible through a grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, with major support from Bloomberg, The McClatchy Company and Scripps Howard Foundation. Additional funding is provided from the National Association of Black Journalists, parents of alumni, AAJA’s National Endowment and the following AAJA chapters: Arizona, Chicago, Florida, Hawai`i, Los Angeles, Minnesota, New York, Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, and Washington, D.C.
J Camp 2008 is co-directed by Neal Justin, TV critic and internship coordinator for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and Clea Benson, senior writer at CQ Weekly, Congressional Quarterly's weekly magazine in Washington, D.C.
“It's a great pleasure to welcome a new class of journalists to J Camp,” Justin said. “ At a time when our industry is struggling to adjust to a new world, it's exciting to find that so many of our sharpest, most talented teenagers are passionate about joining our ranks. We have long felt that J Camp brings together the very best this country has to offer. Based on the hundreds of applications we received, it's safe to say that we'll be able to continue this great J Camp tradition this summer."
Faculty for J Camp 2008: Mark Angeles, Union County bureau chief, Newark Star-Ledger; Josh Freedom du Lac, pop music critic, The Washington Post; Kyndell Harkness, photographer, Minneapolis Star Tribune; Caridad Hernandez, executive producer, NBC 6/WTVJ, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale; Angie Lau, anchor, Bloomberg Chicago Bureau; and Chris Macias, music critic, The Sacramento Bee.
Directors, faculty and speakers all volunteer their time to participate.
In order to sustain J Camp as a top training opportunity for young people, the program requires financial support from media companies and individuals like you. To learn how you or your media company can sponsor the program or a student for 2009 and beyond, please click on the link below or contact AAJA Deputy Director Janice Lee.