There are literally thousands of ways to spend your summer (in fact, here are 400+ different extracurricular activity options), but if spending a week learning from some of today’s most experienced journalists on your OWN path to becoming a voice for your generation sounds like your cup of iced tea (it is a summer program, after all), JCamp could be just the thing for you.
JCamp offers students interested in journalism an opportunity to dive in with various aspects of the journalistic creation process, with instruction from professionals.
And it all happens at no cost to students!
So read on to understand the details of what JCamp offers and how you can apply.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(click to skip ahead)What is JCamp?
JCamp, the Asian American Journalists Association’s (AAJA) summer program for journalism students from across the country, is a six-day journalism program for high school students that happens in a new city each year, and the focus is squarely on a hands-on and immersive experience. Students get the chance to be reporters, producers, and project managers, all under the guidance of seasoned professionals (most of them JCamp alums).
AAJA was founded in 1981 with the mission of increasing the presence of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) journalists both in front of and behind the camera, in newsrooms, and in leadership positions by encouraging and supporting AAPI individuals to pursue careers in journalism and media (here's more about AAJA).
JCamp is an extension of that mission—to address the inequity and lack of diversity in journalism by bringing together students from multiple races; ethnicities; cultural, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds; gender identities; and sexual orientations; and to guide them on their paths towards becoming journalists themselves.
There is also a strong emphasis on things like collaboration, ethics, networking, and leadership as students participate in workshops, go on field trips, and dive into hands-on projects.
An appreciation for diverse perspectives is at the core of JCamp’s program, and the goal is for students to both become exposed to different worldviews while also contributing to that diversity through their own learning and work.
You’ll see this commitment in JCamp’s “core principles” (check out JCamp's FAQs for more details):
Cross-cultural communication skills
Fundamentals of leadership
Importance of diversity in newsrooms and in media coverage
Strong ethics in journalism practice
Fostering connections
Building self-confidence
AAJA and JCamp hold these values dear, and if you do, too, this program could be an excellent match for you.
Who is eligible to apply for JCamp?
Students often wonder if they have to be Asian to apply to JCamp, but the program is open to ALL current high school sophomores and juniors. International students are also invited to apply, as long as they will be traveling to and from JCamp from within the United States.
As we said, JCamp is committed to diversity, and they want students from all walks of life to have access to their program. If you’re really, truly interested in journalism and in honing your skills in that area, that’s all you need!
How do I apply for JCamp?
Applications open in January and remain open until March, and you’ll be asked to
complete an application
write several essays and respond to short answer questions
create a video
AND sit for multiple interviews.
The application process isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but all this means is that students who get accepted will be as serious as you are about learning and growing.
JCamp is also happy to share what makes a successful application, so you’re not totally in the dark about this. They would like to see:
Authenticity
Curiosity
Demonstrated interest and/or experience in journalism
Leadership experience or community involvement
Storytelling skills
When you think about it, this all makes sense. They want to know you can be yourself, that you can communicate clearly and effectively, that you are open-minded and willing to learn, and that you actually have an interest in journalism.
Is AAJA’s JCamp tough to get into?
JCamp is considered a highly selective program, and since the application process is so involved, we encourage you to really think about your commitment to journalism before starting the process. Although exact application numbers can be a little hard to find, JCamp receives hundreds of applications and typically accepts around 30 students, so if you get that good news, you’ll join a pretty exclusive group!
Should I apply for JCamp?
Perhaps considering the pros and cons would be helpful here since there is no simple answer for everyone:
PROS
The cost—let’s start with the obvious… it’s rare for a program of this caliber to come at no cost to its students
Commitment to diverse perspectives and life experiences—you will, without a doubt, encounter other students who see the world differently than you do and you can then carry this expanded view into your work as a journalist
A chance to network—Jcamp is a place you can start to build your professional network. Your teachers, fellow students, and guest speakers can all become part of your journalism community
The things you’ll learn—JCamp is a hands-on program, so you’ll get to learn by doing. It would be hard to learn about being a professional journalist if all you could do was listen to other people talk about their experiences, so JCamp gives you the chance to create your own.
College applications—we almost hate to include this one because there are so many other benefits to attending JCamp, but the truth is that participation in a program like this where students don’t pay to attend and are chosen solely on their merit can strengthen college applications (especially if your plan is to major in journalism or media)
CONS
There really aren’t many cons we can think of! As we’ve noted, the application process is involved and JCamp is selective, so there is no guarantee that you’ll get accepted even if you put a lot of time and effort into your application.
But is that really a con? Even if you don’t get into JCamp, chances are some of your application materials are ones you can use on your college applications, so there is no wasted time here.
We guess the only con is if you apply to JCamp and you aren’t actually interested in journalism and are instead just hoping to pad your resume. This is a program for students who are serious about this work, and it wouldn’t benefit you or them if you participated just because you need something to round out your list of extracurricular activities. If that’s the case, think about a summer internship, think through how you might want to spend your high school summer, or check out some other summer programs (and in case you missed it up top, here's a massive guide to extracurricular activities).
Key takeaways
For students interested in exploring a career in journalism, JCamp offers an amazing opportunity.
The application process could be somewhat tough, but it will set you up well for what you’ll have to do for you college applications, regardless of whether you get into JCamp.
So if you’re feeling like this is possibly the program for you, dive in and have fun.
Special thanks to Jessica B. for writing this blog post
Jessica has a Ph.D in English from the University of Southern California and teaches English at a Los Angeles-area independent school, where she has also been English department chair and a class dean. Sandra Cisneros is her hero, and she loves books, her awesomely-sarcastic family, the beach, cozy sweaters, and more books. Oh, and her sweet pitbull/lab mix named Ruby.
Top values: Curiosity, equity, wonder
