SUMMER PROGRAM
Discover the Power of Storytelling and Resilience: Enroll Your Child in the Summer Forum – The Hero’s Journey!
Are you seeking a summer program that not only sparks creativity but also builds confidence and resilience in your child? The Camera Kids Foundation Summer Forum: The Hero’s Journey is a dynamic, hands-on media program designed for youth ages 9–23 who have experienced high levels of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Grounded in the Protective Factors framework and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, our program empowers young people to transform their challenges into strengths through the art of filmmaking, journalism, and media literacy.
Sign up as a Volunteer
Click the button below to fill out our volunteer application for the summer program 2025. Once your application is reviewed you will hear from us with approval and onboarding instructions.
Register your Child in the program
Click the button below to register your child in our 2025 Summer Program. Ages 7 - 17 are allowed to register. Parents must sign the work release waiver form on behalf of the child.
Sponsor our Summer Program
Our Summer Program survives off donations, volunteers, and sponsors. If you would like to make a donation to sponsor our summer program please click the button below!
Program Highlights:
Comprehensive 9-Week Immersive Experience:
Starting in June 2025, students participate in 180 hours of structured learning, running Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Southwest King County. The curriculum is designed to take your child on a journey modeled on the Hero’s Journey—a transformative path beginning with “The Hero and the Mentor”—helping them reflect on personal growth while mastering professional media skills.
Real-World Exposure & Mentorship:
Our curriculum includes in-studio instruction, field-based learning, and engaging sessions with guest speakers and industry mentors from organizations like Access TV, KOMO News, Olympia’s newsroom, and major film studios. A week-long road trip to Idaho will further enrich the experience, allowing students to document a cultural and historical journey that connects ancestral knowledge with modern storytelling.
Pathway to Professional Success:
In Year 2, we will expand workforce development offerings by preparing participants for certification in Adobe Premiere Pro and assistant editing through Key Code Media Education. Successful graduates will even be eligible for paid roles within the Foundation, and further training in narrative film—including set design, makeup, costume, and production catering—will introduce them to the full creative ecosystem.
Hands-On Media Training:
Throughout the program, youth will gain practical skills in camera operation, sound design, lighting, editing, scriptwriting, and production. They will work on diverse projects, including a food justice documentary and a public service announcement, which are designed to empower them to tell their unique stories.
Growth Beyond Summer:
The program serves as the foundation for year-round opportunities. Beginning in Fall 2025, we will pilot after-school sessions and in-school workshops, with a peer-led mentorship model launching in Fall 2026. This ensures continuous learning and support as students explore media ethics, storytelling, digital safety, and community-based media practices.
Empowering Historically Excluded Communities:
Recognizing that opportunities in media and film are often inaccessible to Black and Native youth, our program is uniquely tailored to bridge that gap. Our long-term vision is to create a youth-led, self-sustaining media production center that fosters high-level training, employment, and advocacy through storytelling. We aim for at least 80% program completion, with 60% of participants pursuing further education, internships, or freelance opportunities in media within a year.
Why Choose The Hero’s Journey?
This program is more than just a summer camp—it's a transformational experience that combines the power of creative expression with professional skills and real-world mentorship. Your child will learn to navigate the challenges of life with resilience, discover their unique voice, and gain invaluable tools to shape a brighter future.
Spots are limited for this life-changing experience. Give your child the opportunity to become the hero of their own journey and unlock a world of creative and professional possibilities. For more details on registration and program specifics, please visit our website or contact our team.
Let’s empower the next generation of storytellers together!
Fill out the form below to register for the 2025 summer program!
