From summer time camp to profession path – The NAU Evaluate

This summer time, three completely different camps from the School of Communication are opening their gates, not simply to present highschool college students a enjoyable break, however additionally to present them a head begin on their future. Each camp is constructed round hands-on experiences and clear pathways to attainable careers, so as an alternative of guessing what to review after they get to faculty, college students can discover fields that might develop into their future professions. 

“We are thrilled to welcome high school students to the School of Communication this summer,” mentioned Michelle Carpenter, government director on the School of Communication. “We are looking forward to the creative energy they will bring and hope their experience during the camps helps them see themselves at NAU when they begin thinking about their college journey.”  

All three camps are centered on studying by doing. Teens will work carefully with college, business professionals and NAU college students. 

Storytelling by means of social media 

The Social Media and Photography Camp will probably be taught by Beth Staub, assistant instructing professor, and Janice Sweeter, professor of observe. The camp will mix pictures abilities with social media technique, instructing college students not solely easy methods to take photos that inform a narrative, however additionally easy methods to create content material for various platforms in a accountable method. 

“Especially for teens, it is so valuable to explain to them the responsible use of social media,” Sweeter mentioned. “We go over privacy protections and how to recognize legitimate news sources, along with how to design their own social media accounts and personal brand. This camp is the perfect combination of social media and photography.” 

The camp contains visitor audio system and the possibility to work together with NAU college students who will share their experiences about being in faculty and the way, as freshmen, they weren’t certain what to main in.   

“I think their favorite part last year was being paired with my photography students and taking pictures around campus and downtown,” mentioned Staub. “They were able to ask them questions about college and what it is like, while learning composition skills, how to set up a shot and how to take interesting pictures.” 

Sweeter mentioned that despite the fact that social media is one thing teenagers work together with day by day, they won’t know all of the interior workings of it or easy methods to develop a put up that’s participating, enjoyable and actual to them.  

“Personal branding is a very important piece,” she mentioned. “They will learn the anatomy of a post and about all the social media platforms that are out there, as well as how to integrate these incredible images that they take.” 

Where tales come to life 

Austin Frick, assistant professor of observe, will probably be instructing the Animation Camp once more this 12 months, hoping to present contributors a complete introduction to the subject. 

“We will cover some of the foundational principles of animation, like anticipation, overlapping action and following through,” Frick mentioned. “We will explore different mediums like flipbooks, stop motion animations and 2D computer animation. Students will also have some exposure to 3D sculpting and 3D character animation.” 

Frick mentioned the camp is for anybody thinking about watching or making animation, or for these thinking about discovering a platform to inform their tales. All that’s wanted is a few stage of technical information and openness to attempt new issues. 

“I hope students come away with a new skillset that allows them to create their own films,” Frick mentioned. “It’s an incredibly empowering thing to be able to envision a story in your head and have the tools to bring it to life.” 

Stories from the sidelines 

The Sports and Adventure Media Camp is new this 12 months and will probably be taught by Rory Faust, affiliate professor of observe. 

“We started the Sports and Adventure Media academic program about two years ago, and this is the first time we are offering the summer camp,” Faust mentioned. “Our current program includes television, radio, podcasting, live event coverage, written stories, online, social media, pretty much the entire gamut. We are going to showcase all those areas in the summer camp and students are going to be hands-on with our technology and will be able to see all our facilities.” 

Students can even journey round Flagstaff for the journey part of this system to see a few of the alternatives supplied exterior of campus. Faust mentioned this camp is the best match for college kids who’re thinking about exploring media sooner or later and have faculty of their plans, in addition to college students who like sports activities and are obsessed with not solely conventional sports activities, but in addition outside journey sports activities, which are plentiful within the northern Arizona area. 

“Part of the process of high school students figuring out what they want to do is exploring options,” Faust mentioned. “Maybe they have an interest in sports, maybe in media or in the outdoors. It is a great opportunity for them to come to Flagstaff, explore the region, what the university has to offer and get a little taste of college life. I want them to walk away from this experience a little surprised, knowing all the opportunities they can have here at NAU.” 

All three camps will run concurrently with a day camp possibility and an in a single day residential camp possibility. Day camps run from June 15-19, whereas in a single day campers will arrive on campus on June 14. For extra data and to enroll, go to the Communication Youth Camps website. 

“These summer camps showcase the lifeblood of the School of Communication—teaching students how to tell compelling stories through film, photos, words, images and human emotion,” Sweeter mentioned. “Plus, having fun in beautiful Flagstaff at the same time.” 

Mariana Laas | NAU Communications
(928) 523-5050 | [email protected]