Bethel Hosts #MyMediaCamp

Fourteen high school students received hands-on journalism experience during #MyMediaCamp at Bethel University on June 26-28 when they learned about media tools and techniques from distinguished Twin Cities journalists.

English and journalism professor Scott Winter led the camp with the assistance of counselors Whitney Bak ’15, Nathan Klok ’17, and Jared Nelson ’16, all current and former staff members of The Clarion, Bethel’s student-run newspaper.

Students learned techniques of storytelling, interviewing, videography, and photography through a variety of hands-on projects, seminars, and activities. Students also heard from a trio of renowned journalists from around the metro.

Dave Berggren ’04 joined the crew to talk about his experience as a reporter, most recently for KARE-TV. Berggren fielded questions from the students on story generation and emphasized finding the human element in every situation.

Nicolle (Westlund) Mackinnon ’09 is the editor of two lifestyle magazines, and she shared how she put together her own dream job by staying on the cutting edge of social media and technology. The writing, research, and communication skills she acquired studying journalism at Bethel have put her ahead in the various jobs she’s held since.

Kaylee Everly—a recent graduate of University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s journalism program and multimedia intern at the Star Tribune—spoke about carrying a camera with her everywhere she’s gone since 7^th grade. It has earned her trips to multiple continents, where she shot award-winning stories about poverty in places such as Indonesia, India, Brazil, and Ethiopia.

“I really enjoyed hearing the different speakers,” said Jasmine Johnson, a junior from Becker High School. “They each gave a really different perspective on their careers.”

Each student was given an iPad to use for the weekend and learned how to grow a social media presence through hashtags and the incorporation of multimedia elements. The students enjoyed playing foosball and disc golf and eating in the Dining Center, giving them a taste of life on a college campus.

"I came because I wanted to have a new experience and learn new things from different points of view, and have a learning experience that was outside of the school curriculum,” said Natalie Stevens, who will be in 10^th grade at Eastview High School this fall. “I really enjoyed meeting new people, and running around the campus was pretty fun." 

“Everyone was super friendly,” said Ellie Spadaccini, an 11^th-grader from Armstrong High School. “It wasn't hard to talk to people because the activities we had really opened everyone up. And I'm really glad that I came." 

Learn more about the athletic and academic summer camps for middle and high school students that Bethel offers.