Camp Cronkite

Every day of Camp Cronkite is jam-packed with exciting sessions and activities. For example, a day at Camp Cronkite might look like:

8:00 am: Breakfast buffet in the Gordon Commons dining hall

9:00 am: All-camp morning meeting

9:15 am: Community challenge (team building exercises)

10:00 am: Core session – Audio collection

11:00 am: Core session  – Portfolio and personal branding session

12:00 pm: Lunch buffet

1:00 pm: Core session – Narrative writing and reporting

2:00 pm: Elective session – Sports photography or Fashion photography

3:00 pm: Snack break

4:00 pm: Down time in Gordon Commons

5:00 pm: Dinner buffet 

6:00 pm: Walk to movie theater

9:00 pm: Campers arrive back at Gordon Commons

10:00 pm: Lights out

Camp Cronkite is created for current high school students of all grades (rising sophomores, juniors and seniors) between the ages of 15 and 17. Rising freshmen and other current middle schoolers are not eligible to apply just yet (we look forward to receiving their application for a future Camp Cronkite!).

The cost of Camp Cronkite includes all instruction, activities, meals, housing, camp T-shirt, night at the movies, technology access and supervision.

Yes! Limited scholarships based on financial need are available for campers. Please complete the financial need information within the camp application to be considered for a Camp Cronkite scholarship to help with the cost of the camp rate. Applicants offered a scholarship will be informed at the time of camp selection notification. If selected for a camp scholarship, the travel costs associated with getting to the camp will be the sole responsibility of the camper.

All applicants for Camp Cronkite will receive an email by April 1 to the email address entered in the first page of the application notifying them of their selection status. Do not plan to receive a notification prior to this date. Application notification statuses can be: selected to participate, waitlisted, or not selected.

Campers sleep in ASU’s Gordon Commons residential hall, located next to the Cronkite Building on the university’s Downtown Phoenix campus. The address of Gordon Commons is 120 E. Taylor St. Each camper will share their room with another camper; single rooms are not available (no exceptions). Campers must remain on campus at all times; alternative lodging arrangements are not permitted.

Campers eat most of their meals at the Gordon Commons Restaurant, a student dining hall with a variety of healthy options in an all-you-care-to-eat buffet setting. View sample Gordon Commons menus here.

We are able to accommodate some dietary restrictions (e.g. dairy-free) and special diets (e.g. vegetarian). Campers are responsible for advocating for their own dietary needs while at camp. Be sure to note dietary needs in your Camp Cronkite enrollment form.

• Your own linens and pillows- twin XL size. You might want to bring an extra blanket for your bed as well.
• A bath towel, your clothing and any personal items you might need, such as hair dryers, hair styling tools and irons are not supplied.
• Toiletries (e.g. toothbrush, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, personal hygiene products) and something to carry your toiletries in. 
• Camera ready outfit (slacks, button down shirt, polo, dress, skirt, blouse, blazer)
• Hat, reusable water bottle, and sunscreen – those UV rays are strong!
• Any phone or electronics charging cables.
• Shoes that are comfortable for walking. 
• A laptop is not necessary, we’ll provide access to computerized classrooms and technology.

Camp Cronkite is coordinated by Cronkite staff and led by Cronkite faculty. Current ASU students serve as camp guides who report to Cronkite faculty and serve as mentors and supervisors, just as ASU resident assistants nurture current college students in the residential hall.

For questions about Camp Cronkite, contact the Cronkite staff at [email protected].

Parents, guardians and other caregivers may communicate with campers on the campers’ own devices, but remember: Cronkite campers are busy! Staff will communicate directly with guardians in case of emergency, and will send an update via email showing what campers are up to.

Camp Cronkite staff and counselors may not administer medication. Campers who bring medication must adhere to University Housing Policies concerning medication use, and must notify camp staff when self-administering all medication for required tracking. 

Campers may arrive at the Cronkite Building by car or public transportation. Out-of-state campers traveling by plane should plan to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport; Lyft, Uber and Valley Metro Rail are easily accessible from the airport. Transportation is not provided by Camp Cronkite.

Applications are carefully considered, taking into account students’ academic performance and media interest. Because of the high volume of applications, the academic school year of the student is sometimes prioritized with current high school juniors. If an applicant receives a notification that they are not selected for the camp it is most likely due to the competitive nature of the selection process. We are unable to provide feedback about individual applications.

We’re so happy you’re excited about Camp Cronkite! Once your application is submitted and you receive a confirmation email about the submission, there are no other additional steps. By the notification date you’ll learn your application status. If you’re selected, you’ll receive information to confirm your spot for the camp.

This camp is created for high school students. We recommend teachers and advisers contact journalism associations, such as JEA (Journalism Education Association), STN (Student Television Network) and other associations for professional development opportunities.