Summer Workshop Details
WJEA Summer Workshop Information & Major Session Listings
UPDATED 2023 Camp Dates: Tuesday, July 25 to Friday, July 28
About the Camp
WJEA Summer Journalism Workshop is designed for student journalists, ages 14-18. Specifics regarding first day check-in on campus will be emailed to each camper two weeks prior to camp. Please make sure registration form includes the best email address for receiving important information.
About the Simulation
WJEA J-Camp provides an exciting opportunity for students to participate in a real-world simulation, which places them in a color group, which will function like a newsroom staff. Each participant has an assigned role and each team must create a story package on an assigned topic. Roles are typically given based on the student’s Major session assignment. This real-world simulation culminates in a story package created by each team of students. By participating in this simulation, students will experience first-hand the pressures of producing a package on deadline.
About the Campus
Learn in state-of-the-art facilities of the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University. Practice print and broadcast journalism skills in high-tech labs and broadcast studios while gaining experience in real-world simulations. Meet new friends on a PAC-12 campus and prepare for a successful school year as a student media leader. Three nights and all meals included, double occupancy rooms. Student to adult ratio 10:1. Camp is supervised by certificated educators.
Camp Structure
Boredom? That’s never a problem at WJEA Summer Workshop. Students receive nearly 30 hours of intensive training in their “major” over the three days. In addition, they choose “minor” sessions from a selection of topics. Students sign-up for these shorter sessions at check-in on the first day. With all the intensive and interactive learning, there is still time for social activities and recreation.
Instructors & Staff
Most session presenters are certificated teachers with years of experience in their areas of expertise. A few are professionals in technical areas. The ratio between students and staff is 10:1. This is also true at night, with dorm supervisors staying on student floors. Floors are assigned by gender identity. Dorm supervisors are carefully chosen, and some are former attendees. Students are expected to carefully read and sign the behavior agreement on the registration form.
Transportation
WJEA offers the convenience of a chartered bus, chaperoned by WJEA staff, for attendees who do not want to drive. The bus leaves from Mercer Island High School on July 27 at 7:30 a.m., and the cost is $120 round trip. Students who opt to drive themselves may not drive their vehicles for the duration of the workshop and must register and pay at the campus parking office. The current cost for campus parking is $10 per day. Students must give car information and parking location to camp directors upon check-in.
Lodging & Weather
Every dorm room at WSU includes supplied linens: sheets, pillow, blanket, towel, wash cloth and a bar of soap. Attendees may want to bring their own pillow or an extra blanket, as the rooms can be cooler at night. The WSU bookstore sells clothing and some toiletries. Rooms are double occupancy, and students may request specific roommates. Otherwise, roommates of the same gender identity and with a Major session in common (if possible) will be assigned. Attendees need to be ready for any kind of weather, but chances are at WSU, we can expect sunny, warm days.
Major Session Options
Attendees will spend 11-plus hours in their Major and 10-plus hours running through the simulation. Attendees can also attend Minor (shorter) sessions on specific skills and topics, but sign-ups for minor sessions will occur on site. Note: When registering, the enclosed forms will ask you to indicate your session choice by number.
1. Intro to Journalism: New to journalism? This is your Major! You’ll cover just about everything you need to know for a successful start in student media. Learn the basics of journalistic writing, interviewing, reporting, AP style and story structure.
2. Journalistic Storytelling: If you are looking to expand your skills in feature writing, this Major will further develop your abilities. Interviewing, copy editing and AP style are also addressed. Be prepared to write on short deadlines. Best for students with some exposure to basic journalistic writing.
3. Sports Reporting & Writing: This new session will teach writers how to tell stories beyond game recaps and highlights. Students will learn how to develop their own voice and writing style while reviewing the basics of feature writing. Students will be expected to write on short deadlines. Best for students with some exposure to basic journalistic writing.
4. Photojournalism: All aspects of being an effective, competent and ethical photojournalist are covered in this limited-enrollment Major session. Participants in this Major should bring the digital camera they will use during the school year, connection cables and adequate storage media.
4.1 Beginning: Novices will concentrate on basic digital camera operation, technique and lighting. Managing digital files, working with editors and reporters, ethics and other issues related to photojournalism will also be addressed.
4.2 Advanced: This session will review camera operation, but will spend the majority of time perfecting exemplary photojournalism techniques as well as using Adobe Photoshop.
5. Layout Using InDesign: If you want to be a part of your program’s design team, learn some tips and tricks that will make your job easier. Focuses on basic graphic design and layout concepts for all types of print publications. Due to lab space, enrollment is limited to just two students and one adviser per school.
5.1 Beginning: For those with little or no experience using InDesign, focuses on using the basics of InDesign to lay out pages for all print publications.
5.2 Advanced: Participants should have a solid working knowledge of ID to move beyond the basic and explore the many palettes and advanced text handling.
6. Broadcast Journalism: This Major is designed for students to explore, develop and refine their skills specific to broadcast/streaming journalism. You’ll learn and apply the technical basics as well as the important news gathering and reporting techniques necessary to be an effective multimedia communicator.
7. Yearbook Development: This Major is designed for yearbook students to plan the theme and major aspects of their yearbooks. We will look at theme, design trends, coverage and more! Bring your inspiration and your ideas – publishing companies not a factor. We’ll take what you have (or don’t have) and move you forward. NOTE: This major is meant to inspire ideas. Students who wish to work on their yearbook with their yearbook staff must do so in their free time.
8. Editorial Leadership (students only): This Major is designed for students who will be in a leadership position on a newspaper, yearbook, news website, broadcast or magazine staff. This session focuses on building leadership and editorial skills, setting goals, effective news coverage, staff management, teamwork and conflict resolution. Note: Repeat attendees should indicate years of experience on their registration form. Students should have at least one semester of experience on a student media staff for this Major. Limit two students per school.
9. Advising Student Media (educators only): Feeling overwhelmed? Need to recharge your advising batteries? We’ll take care of you with morning and afternoon refreshments and networking time as you become part of our great network of advisers! While we have a great established curriculum, we invite you to bring your concerns and questions so we can address your specific needs. Advisers are asked to bring a laptop and a flash drive, if possible. And, of course, clock hours are available at an incredibly reasonable price. (Experienced advisers who have attended the advising workshop before may participate in one of the other Majors.)
9.1 Novice (fewer than three years advising) Whether you need a “boot camp” to prep for the new year or a creative kick start, we’ll provide curriculum ideas, tips on staff management and legal matters, technology, motivation, grading, fundraising – and lots of handouts and digital files.
9.2 Experienced (three-plus years advising) Topics are developed in part based on your specific needs. Build on existing skills by learning – and doing – journalism. Bring your smartphone, laptop and camera, if possible!
The Team
Executive Director: Kathy Schrier, [email protected], 206-979-3234
Student Session Coordinator: Casey Henry, [email protected]
Program Director: Vince DeMiero, [email protected]
Simulation Director: Teresa Scribner, [email protected]
What is WJEA?
The Washington Journalism Education Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit professional organization for teachers who advise student media and teach journalism in Washington state. WJEA provides professional development for educators and learning opportunities for students. Students of WJEA members may apply for two $2,000 college scholarships, compete in Write-off Contests and attend one of two fall Journalism Days. Except for small stipends paid for event management, WJEA is an all-volunteer organization, affilliated with the national Journalism Education Association.