For Aspiring Storytellers & Truth-Seekers

We are thrilled to announce that this year’s Journalism Summer Camp will take place from July 13-17, 2026. This is an incredible opportunity for your young aspiring journalists to dive into the world of storytelling, reporting, and media creation at The Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library:

Targeting Grades 5–8

What to Expect:

1. Hands-On Workshops: Go behind the scenes of the newsroom! Participants will engage in interactive sessions led by experienced journalists to learn the secrets of a great story.

2. Creative Projects: From “man-on-the-street” interviews to editorial cartooning and action photography, campers will build a real newspaper from the ground up.

3. Future-Ready Skills: We focus on the “high-tech” side of the craft, teaching students how to use modern tools to ensure fact-based reporting stays alive and well.

4. Team-Building: Journalism is a team sport! Campers will collaborate on investigative “beats,” making new friends and lasting memories along the way.

Meet Our Special Guest: Kathy Kiely

Lee Hills Chair in Free Press Studies, Missouri School of Journalism

We are thrilled to welcome back Kathy Kiely, an “ink-stained journalist gone high-tech!” Kathy doesn’t just teach history; she teaches the future. With a career spanning national politics and cutting-edge digital reporting, she specializes in showing young creators how to use modern tools to tell stories that matter.

Why campers love her: Kathy breaks down the wall between traditional reporting and the digital world. Whether it’s mastering “man-on-the-street” interviews or understanding how to spot “fake news” in a high-speed digital landscape, Kathy empowers students to become tech-savvy truth-seekers.

More Than Just a Summer Camp—It’s a Newsroom Adventure!

Middle school is the perfect time for students to transition from being “consumers” of media to “creators” of it. Our journalism camp provides a unique environment where 5th–8th graders can:

• Find Their Voice: We empower students to express their ideas clearly and confidently through writing, photography, and design.

• Master Media Literacy: In an age of digital noise, we teach the essential skills of identifying fact-based reporting and understanding the “why” behind the news.

• Build Real-World Skills: Campers don’t just sit in a classroom; they act as “investigative beats,” collaborating with peers to solve problems and meet deadlines.

• Create Something Tangible: Every camper contributes to a real newspaper, walking away with a portfolio of work they can be proud of.

Parent Note: This camp focuses on critical thinking and communication—skills that are vital for success in middle school, high school, and beyond.

Mark Your Calendars!

We encourage you to put July 13-17 on your family calendar. Secure your spot today by registering online or downloading our printable form below.