ARTS+ TECH: Media camps offer creative skills and unique experiences

Is there anything more exciting than a child’s wild, ambitious dreams? My 6-year-old wants to be a screenwriter when he grows up. He speaks so enthusiastically about his favorite shows that I feel compelled to assure people we really do limit screen time, take him outdoors and provide real-life experiences.

For a little guy, he offers unusually insightful analysis of the movies we watch as a family. He refers to interesting elements in the films as “choices” and loves to point out plot twists. I thought it would be years before my son could pursue his passion and learn the finer points of filmmaking. Yet, he didn’t even finish winter film camp before asking about the spring session.

Camps that teach digital media skills expose kids to the awesome benefits of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). We know that STEAM encourages creative thinking, builds appreciation for the arts and provides new models for collaborative problem-solving. Digital media camps promote skills that kids are really excited to learn— like filmmaking, music production and photography. Read on for a closer look at the camp my son attended, along with other great arts and technology camps in San Diego.

Filmmaking – The most impressive thing about Youth Media & Tech Camp at Media Arts Center is the abundant freedom offered to even the youngest participants. My son attended a winter session, where he and his fellow campers produced two short films from start to finish. The kids did everything! Story ideas were developed entirely by campers. The instructor was there to coach them on the process—collaborative brainstorming, storyboarding and writing—but left the heaviest creative lifting to them. The kids took turns acting out the script and operating the camera. When it was time to edit, they used iMovie with minimal assistance, adding their own visual and sound effects along the way. My son said his favorite part of camp was learning to use a green screen. I’m impressed that he had such a cool opportunity. At the end of the session, campers treated families to a premiere at the onsite theater, Digital Gym Cinema. Everyone was so proud. I can’t recommend this program enough. Camps are open to kids ages 6–14 and are scheduled throughout the year during major school breaks. Learn more and sign up at https://digitalgym.org/camps.

Digital Art Digital Media Academy offers a variety of arts and technology summer camps located on the UCSD campus. At Adventures in Animation Camp, kids bring their drawings to life with the same techniques and software used by industry professionals. Music Productioncamp teaches campers to arrange their own tracks while becoming immersed in the world of composition and sound design. Additional camps cover exciting topics like digital photography and graphic design. Many instructors are industry professionals who started out as campers. Digital Media Academy offers plenty of “unplugged” time during camp sessions, to ensure that kids get ample exercise and playtime during the day. Camps are available for ages 9 and up. Learn more and register at www.digitalmediaacademy.org.

Photography Young shutterbugs (and teens) enjoy the many hands-on Photography Camps at Outside the Lens. Day camps and travel trips are offered at exciting locations around San Diego County. Each session has a unique focus, like nature photography, portraits or trick photography. Filmmaking topics are also covered and include claymation and stop-motion techniques. Each session ends with an exhibition and students take home a portfolio of their work. Camps are for kids in Kindergarten through college. Equipment is provided. Sign up at www.outsidethelens.org/summercamps.php. Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park also offers photography camps for ages 8–13. Learn more at www.mopa.org/ educate/summer-camps.

Photos courtesy of Media Arts Center San Diego