Carolina Journalism Institute offers the chance to meet new people, be a part of the USC campus community and immerse yourself in the world of communications and media.
This week-long camp is offered twice on the University of South Carolina campus in Summer 2025: From June 8-13 for rising 6th through 9th graders and June 15-20 for rising 9th through 12th graders. (Rising 9th graders may choose either week.)
The 2024 camp featured high school students from three states coming together to learn more about themselves and media communications. CJI participants stay in USC’s newest dorm, Campus Village. They attend class and produce stories in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications and enjoy time off from working during events with other campers.
Maryann O’Neill of Charlotte attended CJI 2024 and now is an entering freshman in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. The camp gave the then-editor of the Myers Park High School newspaper a chance to stretch and grow.
“The first day, I was like, ‘Oh, there’s no way I’m gonna be good at this,’” O’Neill said. “And today, I was able to professionally shoot some videos of people and interview people I’ve never met before.”
Like the other 2024 campers, O’Neill worked in Columbia producing stories about the city’s Juneteeth observances. After instruction from SJMC senior instructor Laura Smith, the participants spread around Columbia to cover the community events as well as USC’s Summer Drama Conservatory.
Eryn Fox is an experienced student journalist from Horse Creek Academy in Aiken, but says CJI offered a new perspective.
“Just going out and filming an event is just crazy, because I don’t think any of us have every filmed an event before,” Fox said.
Kierstan Hook of Dreher High School in Columbia was new to student journalism.
“I really enjoyed setting up the camera and hearing people’s responses to the questions that I interviewed them about,” Hook said.
Outside of class time, CJI campers participate in social events such as putt-putt, movie night and bowling. It’s a full week of growing and experiencing campus life with peers.
“On a work level, I’ve gotten to understand the extent that we have to go to in order to go into a field of journalism,” said Hannah Busch of Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill. “On a personal level, I’ve gotten to know a lot of people very similar to me and what my interests are.”
Click here to learn more about 2025 camp offerings.
