The annual Lipscomb University Journalism Camp, co-hosted by the Tennessee High School Press Association, was held this week on the Lipscomb University campus.
J-camp is one of many camps going on at Lipscomb this summer, but one of the few that has lasted for over a decade.
“The Genesis of J-camp was in 2002,” said J-camp director Dr. Jimmy McCollum. “We began with four students our first year and we’ve grown each year since.”
Nearly 20 students and advisers attended this year’s camp, including students from Georgia and Illinois.
“Many students come here because they are interested in journalism or their school advisers want them to come. Others come because they are interested in the school and want to be on campus,” McCollum added.
Campers were given the opportunity to stay in the college dorms and get a real feel of the college life
This year’s camp offered sessions on topics ranging from video and photography to staff management and interviewing techniques. Campers also got the opportunity to produce their own newscast.
J-camp featured over 12 guest speakers including Lipscomb’s own communication professors, Dr. McCollum, Alan Griggs and Dr. Mark McGee.
Campers ended the three-day event with a J-camp rewind that presented the work done by the aspiring journalists.
Staff Management and Organization Tips
Jan Little, teacher and adviser from Brentwood High School taught the session on staff management and organization. Little urged the students to “look for people you can trust,” and prioritize your tasks.
Little’s list of task to help run a better school newsroom:
- Have a mailing list
- Mail letters to colleges
- Staff meetings – ad sales packages
Photography Tips
Darrel Emerson, a retired yearbook and newspaper adviser taught the session on beginning photography. Emerson taught the basics of photography which consists of composition, aperture, shutter speed and depth of field.
Emerson’s general rules for good interest in photography:
- Strong center of interest
- Balance
- Rule of Thirds
- Crop ruthlessly
For more information about J-camp visit the event’s official webpage.