As a high school student, camps can be a great way to explore new interests, meet people who share your interests, and learn outside the structure of a traditional classroom. The right camp can help you build confidence, discover future career paths, and develop skills that stay useful long after summer ends. If you are curious about the world of news media, journalism camps for high school students allow you to step into fast-paced environments where you can build reporting skills through hands-on experiences.

You will spend a few days or weeks learning how to report real stories, interview sources, and write news articles that follow professional standards. You may find yourself producing multimedia content, visiting newsrooms, and working alongside experienced journalists who can guide you through the fundamentals of storytelling and media ethics. From exposure to broadcast journalism and investigative reporting to digital media, these experiences give you a real sense of how the news industry actually works.

What kinds of journalism camps are available for high school students?

Some camps focus on writing and reporting basics, others emphasize broadcast or multimedia journalism, and some are built around newsroom simulations or real publishing opportunities. 

You might find yourself producing articles, creating video reports, or even working on a student publication that reaches real audiences. Alongside technical skills, many camps also focus on ethics, media literacy, and critical thinking, skills that matter in today’s information-driven world.

To make it easier to explore your options, we’ve curated a list of 15 journalism camps for high school students. I have focused on options that prioritize a hands-on learning approach, mentorship opportunities, and strong exposure to real-world media environments.

For more opportunities, consider the online writing program.

15 Journalism Camps for High School Students

1. Asian American Journalists Association’s JCamp

Location: Minneapolis, MN, U.S.
Cost: Free
Dates: June 20-26
Application deadline: January 11th
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors; open to international students

JCamp is a six-day journalism training experience designed for high school students. You will spend the week attending workshops, engaging in hands-on activities, and developing and sharpening your skills in journalism. The program focuses on journalism ethics, cross-cultural communication, and leadership fundamentals such as self-advocacy, persuasive communication, teamwork, and project management.

You will also work on producing news packages for JCamp Live, the program’s official news site. You will hear from professional journalists and participate in field trips to gain insights into the real-world news media industry.

Why it stands out: It lets you gain real newsroom experience by producing multimedia stories while building reporting, leadership, and cross-cultural communication skills.

2. Immerse Education’s Media & Journalism Summer School

Location: University College London, London, England
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students worldwide, ages 15-18 

Immerse Education’s Media & Journalism Summer School is a two-week career-focused experience for high school students. You will learn about media ethics, digital journalism, and reporting skills. You will engage in discussions, learn through presentations, and also work on projects in collaboration with your peers. You will receive personalised feedback from expert mentors as you explore the basics of journalism, investigative reporting, journalistic styles, storytelling, and writing.

The program also allows you to work on an individual research project and receive a certificate of completion at the end. The program concludes with a final presentation where you will share your work with peers and professionals. You can find more details about the application here!

Why it stands out: It lets you explore digital and investigative journalism through collaborative projects, personalized mentorship, and hands-on reporting and research experience.

3. Penn State University’s Broadcast Journalism Camp

Location: Penn State University Park campus, State College, PA, U.S.
Cost: $1,500 (early registration before April 30th) | $1,700 (regular registration). Financial aid is available through both the camp application and a separate Penn State Outreach form.
Dates: July 5-10
Application deadline: May 31st
Eligibility: Students, ages 14 to 18; international student eligibility is not specified on the page

As one of the more hands-on journalism camps for high school students, this week-long residential camp gives you experience in broadcast journalism inside Penn State’s Bellisario Media Center, working in the same professional newsroom and TV studio used by the college’s own award-winning students. You will learn how to gather news, develop story ideas, conduct on-camera interviews, shoot video, write scripts, and edit your footage, working on a full news or sports video story from start to finish.

Guest professionals will share insight into the different roles within TV news and sports, covering both on-air positions like reporting and anchoring, and off-air roles like producing and videography. Penn State broadcast journalism students will serve as counselors alongside faculty. 

Why it stands out: You get to work in an actual university broadcast newsroom and studio, not a simulated classroom setup, and leave with a fully produced video news or sports story you reported, shot, and edited yourself.

4. University of the Arts London’s Fashion Journalism Short Course

Location: University of the Arts London’s London College of Fashion, London, England
Cost: Starts at £450.00
Dates: Multiple three-day sessions each year; the next few sessions start in June, July, and December
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students, ages 16 to 18; international student eligibility is not specified

This short camp-like program offers teenagers a hands-on introduction to fashion journalism over the course of three days. You will learn how to write fashion news stories, report on runway collections, identify trends, and develop ideas for features under the guidance of a fashion journalist.

The program also introduces interview techniques for interacting with fashion designers and covers networking basics. This can be an opportunity to experience how fashion journalism is taught at a professional school. At the end of camp, you will get a digital badge and a certificate of attendance.

Why it stands out: You will learn about and gain experience in fashion reporting under the guidance of an experienced journalist in a university environment.

5. UGA Summer Media Academy

Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA, U.S.
Cost: Day Camp: $530 | Residential Camp: $1,255
Dates: Multiple week-long camps in the summer; dates vary by track
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students ages 13-17; international student eligibility not specified

UGA Summer Media Academy offers one-week learning opportunities focused on a range of media fields. You can choose from camps in advertising, entertainment, and journalism. Over a week, you will attend workshops, receive mentorship from guest speakers and instructors, and work on assignments in collaboration with others.

The program can help you gain experience in editing, writing, content development, and video production. You will also participate in simulations in real media production through working on projects, applying the knowledge and skills you developed over the week.

Why it stands out: It lets you explore advertising, journalism, or entertainment media through hands-on projects, assignments, and mentorship from media professionals in a university environment.

6. Nottingham Trent University’s Journalism for 15-17 Year Olds Short Course

Location: Nottingham Trent University City Campus, Nottingham, England
Cost: £545
Dates: July 20-24 | July 27-31
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students ages 15-17; international students are eligible

This short camp-like program introduces high school students to real-world journalism on the Nottingham Trent University campus. You will learn about journalism in areas such as fashion, politics, music, sports, arts and culture, or news, based on your interests. You will gain insights into pathways to journalism, learn how to research and write accurate and compelling stories, and gain experience in conducting interviews.

The program will help you develop newsgathering skills, build a professional portfolio, and interact with peers who share your interests in media and journalism. The program also covers concepts in features and broadcasting news, and awards a certificate of attendance upon program completion.

Why it stands out: It lets you experience real-world journalism by researching, interviewing, and writing stories in politics, culture, sports, or fashion while building a professional portfolio.

7. Indiana University High School Journalism Institute

Location: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, U.S.
Cost: $585/session for residential students | $395/session for commuters; financial aid available
Dates: July 6-10 | July 12-16
Application deadline: June 15th
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen through seniors, ages 14-18; open to international students

Indiana University’s High School Journalism Institute is a five-day camp for high school students who want to build skills in various areas of journalism beyond the school curriculum. You will attend workshops and lectures covering topics like photojournalism, social media, news reporting and writing, documentary filmmaking, sports reporting, audio storytelling, and fashion and lifestyle reporting.

You will also connect with journalism professionals, student journalists, and advisors. You will produce work you can add to your profile and portfolio. The week ends with an awards ceremony open to your family members.

Why it stands out: It lets you explore journalism through specialized workshops in areas like documentary filmmaking, editing, and sports reporting while learning from industry professionals.

8. Camp Cronkite @ Arizona State University

Location: Arizona State University (ASU) Downtown Phoenix campus, Phoenix, AZ, U.S.
Cost: $899; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: Session 1: June 7-12 | Session 2: June 21-26
Application deadline: March 15th
Eligibility: High school students in or entering grades 10-12, ages 15 to 17; international student eligibility is not specified

Camp Cronkite is a six-day residential journalism and media camp at ASU, where you will attend hands-on sessions led by Cronkite faculty and mentored by current ASU journalism students. You will attend core sessions in writing, interviewing, visual storytelling, and personal branding, and choose elective classes from options such as producing, videography, podcasting, weather reporting, and social media.

You will attend morning meetings and team challenges during back-to-back sessions. This experience can prepare you for future media studies and work opportunities.

Why it stands out: You get to explore a broad range of modern journalism formats, from weather reporting to podcasting to social media, and can tailor the week to the specific area of media you want to explore, all within a media school setting.

9. UAL’s London College of Communication Photojournalism Short Course

Location: UAL London College of Fashion, London, England
Cost: Typically, £670.00/session; fee can vary by session
Dates: Multiple five-day sessions each year; the next couple of sessions start in July and August
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students, ages 16 to 18; international student eligibility not specified

This short camp-like program offered by UAL offers exposure to storytelling through photography through project work, where you will spend the week developing a photo essay or documentary project. Through workshops and hands-on exercises led by a photojournalist, you will learn about composition, light, camera techniques, and the history of photojournalism.

You will also study known photojournalists, learn to edit images using Adobe Lightroom, and develop story ideas. At the end of camp, you will present your photo essay, receive feedback, and get a digital badge and certificate of attendance. 

Why it stands out: You get photojournalism exposure, skill-building opportunities in photography, editing, and camera work, and professional-led instruction in a university setting.

10. NYU Urban Journalism Workshop

Location: New York University, New York, NY, U.S.
Cost: Free
Dates: July 12-18
Application deadline: March 18th
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up, in the tri-state area of Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey

The NYU Urban Journalism Workshop is a one-week camp that lets you explore the field of journalism under NYU faculty and visiting professionals while engaging in hands-on activities. You will spend the week learning and working on producing stories to be published on “The Spectrum”, the program’s website.

You will participate in visits to newsrooms in New York and experience on-campus life at New York University. The program also offers access to insights into college admissions from NYU admissions counselors. 

Why it stands out: It lets you learn urban reporting at NYU through hands-on storytelling, newsroom visits, and mentorship from journalists, with the chance to get your work showcased.

11. Florida International University’s Journalism Jumpstart Program

Location: Florida International University, North Miami, FL, U.S.
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22nd – July 2nd
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school and middle school students who are residents of Miami-Dade and Broward counties

Florida International University’s Journalism Jumpstart Program is a free camp that lets you produce your own work under the guidance of media professionals. You will attend structured workshops, produce multimedia stories using video and data, gain experience working in the newsroom, and build skills in content development, interviewing, and live news production.

You will also spend time on research and writing. The program will introduce you to multimedia storytelling, reporting, and editing, as well as the production of articles and graphics. Your work will be published in the Jumpstart Journal.

Why it stands out: It lets you gain hands-on newsroom experience by creating stories, conducting interviews, and producing multimedia content while learning the basics of reporting, editing, and storytelling.

12. Schieffer Summer Journalism Camp @ Texas Christian University (TCU)

Location: TCU campus, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Cost: $1,000
Dates: July 13-17
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current high school students and incoming first-year students who have been admitted to TCU’s journalism major; international student eligibility is not specified

Named after Bob Schieffer, the CBS News broadcaster and TCU journalism alumnus, this journalism camp at TCU gives you hands-on experience producing news stories across multiple platforms, web, broadcast, and print, inside a digital newsroom and broadcast studio. You will learn how to generate story ideas, report them, and develop them into finished stories, including video packages and on-camera newscasts.

You will work with professional equipment such as Canon EOS SLR cameras, HD video cameras, and Adobe Creative Suite. Sessions are led by TCU journalism faculty, media professionals from the Dallas–Fort Worth area, and current TCU journalism students who serve as mentors. The camp also includes off-campus trips, with a past edition featuring a day trip to Fort Worth’s Cultural District and the Fort Worth Stockyards. The program is.

Why it stands out: The camp places you inside an actual university newsroom and broadcast studio to work alongside Dallas–Fort Worth media professionals and get a realistic preview of what college-level journalism training looks like.

13. Chuck Stone Program @ University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Location: UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, U.S.
Cost: Free
Dates: June 21-24
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; the program typically accepts U.S.-based students

The Chuck Stone Program introduces high school students to different areas of journalism through workshop-style teaching. You will learn under the guidance of professional mentors, attend classes, and apply what you learn to projects.

You will explore a range of topics, including multimedia storytelling, reporting, and writing, while also developing skills in research, ethical reporting, and interviewing. You will produce original content for a multimedia publication called “The Mix”. This is a selective program, open to just 12 students.

Why it stands out: It lets you explore journalism through hands-on workshops and mentorship while creating original multimedia stories for publication.

14. Multimedia Journalism Workshop (MJW) @ University of Alabama

Location: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, U.S.
Cost: Free
Dates: June 7-13
Application deadline: April 1st
Eligibility: High school students entering 9th grade through freshman year of college; international student eligibility not specified

MJW, sponsored by the Alabama Scholastic Press Association, is designed to help you build skills in photography, basic communication, multimedia reporting, production, graphics, editing, and writing. You will spend a week learning from professional mentors and producing multimedia stories to be published in the MJW Journal and showcased on the MJW website.

You will get to interview newsmakers in Alabama communities, cities, and towns while creating feature packages, news stories, and social media content. The curriculum also covers topics such as ethics and history, editing, media law, reporting, new media, and media economics. This is a selective camp open to just 10 to 15 students each year!

Why it stands out: It lets you gain hands-on journalism experience by interviewing newsmakers, producing multimedia stories, and getting your work published.

15. The Daily Free Press Summer Journalism Bootcamp

Location: Online
Cost: Free
Dates: August 5th, August 12th, and August 19th
Application deadline: August 1st
Eligibility: High school and college students; the camp caters to U.S.-based students

Summer Journalism Bootcamp is a free two-week virtual program for high school students interested in gaining real-world experience in the field. You will gain access to personalized mentorship from editors at The Daily Free Press, participate in workshops, attend panel discussions, and explore paths in journalism over three sessions.

You will hear from FreeP alumni working at The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Boston Globe. You will also have the opportunity to publish your work in the FreeP.

Why it stands out: It offers access to professional mentorship, workshops, panels, and publishing experience in a condensed, virtual format.

From Newsroom Experience to Media Career Clarity

Journalism camps can turn curiosity into practical insight by showing how reporting, interviewing, editing, and storytelling work under real deadlines.

The journalism camps for high school students featured here include newsroom simulations, broadcast studios, photojournalism projects, media workshops, and publishing opportunities.

From JCamp and Penn State to NYU, ASU, UAL, and UNC, these experiences help students test media interests while building confidence.

Want to turn reporting practice into a clearer career path? Explore our Career Exploration blogs for journalism roles, media careers, portfolios, and next steps.