Camp · Academic · Ages 15–17
Directory · United States · Washington DC · Washington
▌ Academic · Ages 15–17

JCamp

Location varies annually

JCamp is an intensive, tuition-free, six-day journalism training program for high school students.

▌ Editor's read JCamp, a program of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), is an intensive, tuition-free, six-day multicultural journalism training program for high school students. The website states the program has been running for 22 years, indicating a long-standing commitment to youth journalism education. It is an overnight program, with students living on a university campus and working with professional journalists. The program covers various aspects of journalism, including writing, reporting, videography, photography, and social media. While the website mentions the AAJA's commitment to diversity, it does not explicitly state staff-to-camper ratios or details about staff background checks. The AAJA has a Google review rating of 4.8 stars based on 10 reviews, with reviewers praising its mission and impact on journalists. JCamp itself is not accredited by the ACA.
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Since 200422+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 15–17

JCamp serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in academic, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Overnight camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
2004 (22 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Academic
  • Ages: 15–17
  • Hours: 24-hour residential
  • Address: 1100 Vermont Ave NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20005
  • Phone: (202) 662-8238
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: JCamp is a free program. All costs are covered, including airfare, lodging, and meals.

↗ What parents like

  • Free of charge
  • Covers all expenses

↘ Watch for

  • Highly selective
  • Short program duration

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about JCamp

What ages does JCamp accept?
JCamp is open to children ages 15–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does JCamp cost?
JCamp doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. JCamp is a free program. All costs are covered, including airfare, lodging, and meals. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
What are JCamp's hours?
JCamp runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs JCamp?
JCamp is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 22 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does JCamp provide lunch?
JCamp does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
How does JCamp compare to other academic camps in Washington?
JCamp is one of 11 academic camps in Washington that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare JCamp with other camps.

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