JCamp: A Complete Guide

If you’re a high school student who’s serious about journalism, JCamp is one of the most exciting opportunities you can find. You get to learn from top journalists, build real-world skills, and join a community of students who love storytelling just as much as you do.

In this blog, you’ll find everything you need to know about applying to JCamp, what the program is really like, and how to make your application stand out. If you’re thinking about applying or just curious about what it takes, this guide will walk you through it all step by step.

• What Is JCamp?
• JCamp Acceptance Rate
• JCamp Application Deadline
• JCamp Requirements
• How to Get into JCamp
• Why Join JCamp?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is JCamp?

JCamp is a six-day, all-expenses-paid journalism program for high school students, organized by the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA). Launched in 2001 to address the lack of diversity in newsrooms, the program brings together students from across the country for hands-on training with veteran journalists, media leaders, and educators.

Students work in teams to produce stories for JCamp Live, the program’s student-run news site, gaining experience in writing, photography, video, and editing. The curriculum includes:

• Hands-on workshops with industry professionals
• Field trips to major news outlets and media organizations
• Real-world reporting and team-based story production

Open to all high school sophomores and juniors with a strong interest in journalism, JCamp covers all costs, including airfare, lodging, and meals. The program welcomes applicants of all backgrounds and aims to develop the next generation of journalists through a focus on diversity, inclusion, and professional excellence.

JCamp 2025 dates and location

This year’s program will take place from July 26 to August 1, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. The program will run alongside AAJA’s national convention, giving you exposure to even more professionals and networking opportunities.

JCamp Acceptance Rate

JCamp receives hundreds of applications each year from across the country but accepts only around 30 students annually, making the program highly competitive. Based on those numbers, the estimated acceptance rate is likely under 10%. Since its launch in 2001, JCamp has graduated more than 700 high school students.

With so few spots available, submitting a strong, standout application is essential. Starting early not only gives you time to do your best work but also helps you avoid last-minute issues like technical problems or missing documents.

Use the extra time to:

• Write thoughtful, well-crafted essays
• Build and refine your resume
• Create a compelling video submission
• Secure strong recommendation letters

Planning ahead sets you up to shine in a competitive applicant pool.

JCamp Application Deadline

The application for JCamp 2025 closed on Friday, January 31, at 11:59 p.m. PT. For those who applied, decision notifications were sent by mid-April via email.

Planning to apply next year?

If you’ll be a sophomore or junior next school year, you’re still eligible for JCamp 2026. Mark your calendar for early January, when the next application cycle is expected to open. The deadline typically falls in early March.

JCamp Requirements

Before you start your application to JCamp, here is what you need to know about who can apply, what materials you need to submit, and how much the program costs:

Eligibility

If you’re a current high school sophomore or junior, you’re eligible to apply to JCamp.

The program is designed for students ready to take on a fast-paced, immersive journalism experience. Freshmen and seniors are not eligible—seniors are excluded because JCamp encourages participants to return to high school in the fall and apply what they’ve learned.

You do not need to be Asian or a member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) to apply. However, joining AAJA is encouraged. Student membership is just $25 and comes with valuable resources, networking opportunities, and support for aspiring journalists.

Required documents

To apply to JCamp, you’ll need:

• Two short essays to explain your interest in journalism and share your story
• A 60- to 90-second video introducing yourself and your passion for journalism
• Several short answer questions to highlight your goals and experiences
• One letter of recommendation from someone who knows your work well

You can also include work samples, but they’re optional. Keep everything honest, specific, and true to who you are.

Program costs

JCamp is completely free to attend. Your travel, housing, and meals are all covered by the program. If you’re accepted, you won’t need to worry about any major expenses. Just come ready to learn, work hard, and make the most of the experience.

While the essentials are provided, it’s a good idea to bring a little pocket money for personal items, snacks, or souvenirs during the week.

How to Get into JCamp

Here’s what you need to know to increase your chances of getting into JCamp:

1. Write clear, detailed responses that show how you think.

You’ll write two short essays (around 250 words each, based on previous cycles) and answer a set of short-response questions. These are your main opportunities to show who you are: what you care about, how you think, and why journalism matters to you.

• Be specific. Avoid vague statements like “I want to give people a voice” or “Journalism uncovers the truth.” Instead, ground your answers in real experiences: “After my article on overcrowded ESL classrooms ran in our school paper, the district’s curriculum director invited me to sit in on the next parent meeting.” That’s the kind of detail that shows impact and initiative.
• Tell a story. Open with a moment that puts us in your shoes: a late night editing an issue, a tense interview with your principal, or the first time someone said your reporting helped them. Then explain how that moment shaped your goals or values.
• Connect it to journalism. Talk about what you’ve done and reflect on what it taught you about the role of journalism. For example: “Reporting on my school’s hiring practices showed me how official data can mask patterns unless someone asks the right questions.”
• Use your real voice. Write like you speak on your most focused day—not like a formal essay or a text. If your personality shows up on the page, readers will remember you.

In short: be concrete, thoughtful, and yourself. Show how you think, what you notice, and why journalism feels urgent to you.

2. Create a video that shows your personality.

You’ll record a short video (60 to 90 seconds) introducing yourself and your interest in journalism. No need for fancy editing or filters: just speak clearly, look into the camera, and be real.

Think of it like a conversation. You could talk about a story you’re proud of, a topic you care about deeply, or the moment you first realized that journalism mattered to you. For example: “When my social media post about a canceled bus route reached our mayor’s office and the schedule got fixed, I realized the power of local reporting even from students.”

A strong video helps reviewers imagine you as a student and a future journalist.

3. Ask someone who can really speak to your potential.

Don’t just choose the person with the most impressive title. Your recommendation letter should come from someone who knows you and your work, like a teacher, mentor, club advisor, or supervisor.

The best letters come from people who can say things like: “I’ve watched her lead our school news team through tough deadlines, step up to mentor new writers, and challenge herself with harder stories each week.”

Ask early (at least a few weeks before the deadline), and give your recommender context. Tell them about JCamp, why you’re applying, and what you hope to learn.

4. Follow every instruction, and show effort in every part.

Start your application early so you won’t rush the night before the deadline. Double-check your essay word counts, video length, and file formats. Review everything before hitting submit.

Avoid using AI or outside tools to write for you. Your voice matters, and reviewers can tell when something feels impersonal or generic. This application is all about what you care about, how you think, and what you bring to a team of passionate storytellers.

Why Join JCamp?

If you care about journalism and want to push yourself to grow, JCamp gives you six days of fast-paced training, access to real professionals, and a community that sticks with you. Below are the benefits of joining the program:

1. Learn what it’s really like to be a journalist.

At JCamp, you’ll take on real newsroom responsibilities from day one. You’ll:

• Pitch original story ideas during editorial meetings
• Conduct on-the-ground interviews
• Produce professional-level multimedia packages (ranging from written articles and photo essays to video segments and social media content)

The pace is fast, the standards are high, and the work is collaborative, reflecting the demands of a real-world newsroom.

You’ll be guided by veteran journalists from top media outlets like The New York Times, CNN, NPR, and The Washington Post. Past guest speakers have included:

• Gwen Ifill of PBS NewsHour
• Kevin Merida of ESPN and The Undefeated
• Jill Abramson of The New York Times
• Chuck Todd of Meet the Press
• Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Cheryl Diaz Meyer

These mentors will push you to refine your writing, sharpen your reporting, improve your visual storytelling, and think critically about ethics, accuracy, and audience.

By the end of JCamp, you’ll have produced polished, published work on JCamp Live, received direct feedback from working journalists, and experienced the energy of a high-functioning newsroom.

2. Build your voice, your leadership, and your future.

At JCamp, you’ll join a diverse group of students from across the country, each bringing different backgrounds, perspectives, and stories. Through group projects, rapid-fire reporting assignments, and daily workshops, you’ll learn to lead, collaborate, and grow. You’ll practice staying calm under pressure, thinking on your feet, and speaking up in editorial meetings and team discussions.

The core curriculum goes beyond journalism. You’ll get hands-on training in leadership, communication, and professional behavior—including project management, self-advocacy, and how to work effectively in a fast-paced newsroom.

According to AAJA, about 75% of JCamp alumni go on to study journalism in college. Many use their experience to land internships and roles at major media outlets, and their JCamp work has helped them earn scholarships, awards, and spots at top schools.

Alumni have also gone on to report and produce for NBC News, Politico, The Texas Tribune, and local newsrooms across the country. Others have applied their skills in filmmaking, politics, marketing, and business, and they often credit JCamp with helping them think critically, lead confidently, and communicate with clarity.

3. Join a powerful network that supports you for years.

One of the most lasting benefits of JCamp is the network you join. You’ll meet peers who are just as passionate about journalism as you are, and you’ll collaborate closely with them throughout the week.

These friendships often turn into college connections, newsroom partnerships, and lifelong friendships. You’ll also meet journalists who care deeply about mentorship and equity in media. 

After the program, you’ll be part of an alumni community of over 700 graduates from all over the country. This includes people like:

• Terrell Brown, JCamp 2002. Brown earned a full broadcasting scholarship and became CBS News’ youngest-ever correspondent at age 22.
• Jessica Carballo, JCamp 2004. Carballo received multiple journalism awards, interned at ABC, and graduated from Yale in 2010.
• Arelis Hernandez, JCamp 2004. Hernandez, a University of Maryland graduate and top student journalist, is now a political reporter at The Washington Post and JCamp co-director.
• Hailey Lee, JCamp 2009. Lee founded Wellesley’s satire news show, interned at Crain’s, and is now an economics producer at CNBC.
• Taylor Turner, JCamp 2010. Turner studied journalism at UT Austin, interned at ESPN, and now works as a video editor at The Washington Post.
• Ben Bartenstein, JCamp 2011. Bartenstein, a Macalester graduate and VOICES alum, is an emerging markets reporter for Bloomberg in Peru.

Whether you pursue journalism or another path, the JCamp community is there to cheer you on and open doors.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can join JCamp?

If you’re a high school sophomore or junior and you’re seriously interested in journalism, you can apply to JCamp. You do not need to be Asian or part of the Asian American Journalists Association, so if you love writing, photography, video, or just telling stories, this program could be for you.

2. What does JCamp offer?

JCamp gives you a chance to spend six days learning from real journalists while creating stories, videos, and other media with students from all over the country. You will work on team projects, attend field trips, and produce content for JCamp Live, the student-run news site.

3. How much does it cost to join JCamp?

You do not have to pay anything to attend JCamp. AAJA covers your travel, housing, and food, so the entire experience is free. You just need to bring your energy, your creativity, and your willingness to work hard and learn.

4. When and where is JCamp 2025?

JCamp 2025 will be held from July 26 to August 1 in Seattle, Washington. You will stay in university housing with the rest of the students and attend events that run alongside AAJA’s national convention. 

Takeaways

• JCamp is a national program that trains diverse high school students in journalism through hands-on experience and professional mentorship.
• JCamp is competitive, with only 30 applicants accepted out of hundreds each year, so your essays, video, and recommendation letter really need to shine.
• The entire program is free, including your flight, housing, and food, so all you need to bring is your passion and energy.
• When you join JCamp, you become part of a national network of journalists and alumni who can help you long after the program ends.
• A college admissions expert can help you frame your JCamp experience in a way that highlights your leadership, storytelling skills, and initiative, turning it into a powerful example of your passion and potential on your college application.