About

The Camp Cronkite summer media experience at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication is a residential, capacity-limited enrichment camp for high school students (ages 15–17). Held on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus, the program offers two one-week sessions in 2026: June 7–12 and June 21–26. The program brings together rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors to build practical skills in writing, interviewing, visual storytelling, and personal branding, alongside elective sessions in producing, videography, podcasting, and weather.

Campers live in Gordon Commons residential hall, adjacent to the Cronkite School. Tuition for each session is $899, which covers housing, meals, and all instruction. Need-based scholarships are available. Applications open January 15, 2026, and are due by March 15, with status notifications sent by April 1. The selection process is somewhat competitive, prioritizing academic performance and genuine media interest.

Daily activities are structured to mirror a professional newsroom, with breakfast in Gordon Commons followed by "Community Challenges" (team building) and core skills sessions. Participants rotate through elective tracks such as Sports Photography or Fashion Photography, gaining experience with the same professional-grade equipment used by Cronkite’s degree-seeking students.

Instruction is led by Cronkite faculty and "Student Guides" (current ASU journalism majors), providing a mentorship-heavy environment. While the camp does not confer college credit, it focuses on creating content for a digital media portfolio, a key asset for future college applications. By living on campus and utilizing the school's state-of-the-art newsrooms, students gain an authentic taste of the pre-professional media landscape.