Washington Journalism and Media Conference

Summer summits empower youth to strengthen peace, trust, and engagement in democracy

sholla4 — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:54:51 +0000

Summer summits empower youth to strengthen peace, trust, and engagement in democracy sholla4 Thu, 09/24/2026 - 09:54

911�� believes that strengthening peace, trust, and engagement in democracy is vital for creating resilient, inclusive societies where individuals feel empowered to shape their future. As part of our Grand Challenge Initiative, this mission extends not only to our graduates and undergraduates, but to the broader community as well.

Over the summer, high schoolers from around the world came to the Fairfax Campus to learn from the experts how to contribute meaningfully to democratic resilience in the United States and around the world. These three longstanding programs demonstrate how 911�� is building civic trust and advancing peace by preparing our youth to lead.

Photojournalist Anna Rose Layden (center left) speaks at the Washington Journalism and Media Conference Summer Camp. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Washington Journalism and Media Conference

Started in 2009, the Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) has immersed rising juniors and seniors in the world of journalism. During their week as "youth correspondents," participants hear from journalists and media experts, meet with members of Congress on Capitol Hill, and tour Washington, D.C. This year's experts included the editor-in-chief of Washingtonian magazine, the director of Pentagon Press Operations, and the Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter for USA TODAY Network.

Youth correspondents apply what they learn through two simulations that place them in the role of journalists. Participants explore the First Amendment and serve as editors in a newsroom, developing the critical thinking, communication, and decision-making skills essential to careers in journalism. Correspondents also earn college credit from 911�� through their full and active participation in WJMC.

"WJMC brings together the best-of-the-best for an immersive experience that showcases leadership and careers in journalism," said Elena Johnson, director of the Washington Scholars Program, of which WJMC is a part. "These students learn tangible skills and connect on a human level, with a goal of being impactful, empowered and trustworthy citizens at home and abroad."

Conflict Resolution Youth Summit

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Conflict Resolution Youth Summit (CRYS) hosted a record 63 high school students from around the country this summer.

The four-day summit introduced high school students to the field of conflict resolution by teaching foundational skills such as active listening, facilitation, and negotiation. On the fifth and final day, students presented on a conflict in their school community, drawing on their lessons from the week to identify underlying causes and suggest interventions. The summit also brings students into Washington, D.C., for a day and introduces them to career pathways in conflict resolution.

As these skills are not often found in traditional high school curricula, students often leave the summit inspired to pursue conflict resolution in college and, potentially, as a career. Students can also receive one general elective college credit from 911�� by participating in the summit.

"CRYS equips young people with the skills to navigate conflict, communicate across differences, build trust, and collaborate on complex challenges," said Mel G. Carousso, recruitment coordinator and academic advisor for the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. "Through hands-on dialogue and problem-solving, CRYS empowers students to become engaged and constructive leaders."

911�� Debate Institute

911�� has run a version of a debate camp since its award-winning Debate Team started in 1974. Its current iteration—911�� Debate Institute—began in 2014. Currently, it's the largest middle school and high school debate camp in the state of Virginia.

Campers are divided into three classes: middle school public forum debate, high school public forum debate, and high school policy debate. Every year, the institute selects two "wicked" public policy issues for the campers to research. This year, the policy debate students investigated public policy solutions to the health care crisis in the United States, and the public forum students focused on debating federal financial restrictions to corporate greenhouse gas emissions.

"Providing the next generation of leaders with the skills to engage in the democratic field to address wide-scale threats to society through discourse, dialogue, and public policy solutions is the mission of our institute," said Warren D. Decker Director of Debate Jackie Poapst.

All the tracks share a common goal: increase the public speaking confidence of middle and high school students while strengthening the quality and expanding the reach of debate across Northern Virginia.

"Debate is for everyone," Poapst reiterated. "Discourse and dialogue are a practice that any individual can and should participate in, as it undergirds the improvement of civic society."

Topics

GCI-Democracy

Summer Camps

Washington Journalism and Media Conference

Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Students

Bold Solutions for a Changing World

Around Mason: Summer Camps Takeover

sholla4 — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 13:43:20 +0000

Around Mason: Summer Camps Takeover sholla4 Wed, 08/09/2023 - 09:43

Summer goes by fast—whether you’re a kid, or a kid at heart. The K-12 students who attended camps and youth programs at Mason this year filled those fleeting summer days with memories. With many camp options—including music, arts, recreation, sports, science, and space, just to name a few—these kids got to experience life in the Mason Nation at an early age. And we couldn’t be happier to host them. Here are some snapshots from their summer to remember.

CONS 100: Introduction to Field Conservation, Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Photo by Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

The Introduction to Field Conservation Ecology program at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC) offers high schoolers hands-on experience in research field methods, with an emphasis on developing observational skills. Participants also earn college credit.

Many decades ago, the land that now makes up the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute functioned as a U.S. Army remount—a space used to provide exercise to horses. Racetrack Hill now serves as the site for many SMSC field activities, as well as recreation. During the first night of the program, high school students got to take in fantastic views, knowing that they would be returning many times in the coming days for hands-on conservation activities. See more photos.

Interstellar Dreams Space Center, College of Science

Photo provided

At the Interstellar Dreams Space Center at Mason's Fairfax Campus, middle schoolers took on roles as "mission specialists" to plan a lunar space station. The mission specialists made their own websites, learned to program a micro-controller to control electronics hardware and blink morse code with a light, learned about space, physics, astronomy, and more.

Campers also checked out various telescopes at the Mason Observatory—including the second largest on-campus optical telescope on the East Coast. The week culminated with a "press conference" attended by VIPs and families, where campers presented their lunar space station design.

Conflict Resolution Youth Summit, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

The Conflict Resolution Youth Summit, hosted by the Carter School, explores some of today's toughest problems through the lens of peace and conflict resolution. Through simulations, workshops and facilitated discussions, high schoolers delved into important conflicts and practiced the processes of promoting peace. Participants came away with new knowledge about global conflicts, social justice, peacebuilding, and collaborative leadership.

Mason Summer Band Camp, Mason Community Arts Academy

Photo provided

This summer, Mason Community Arts Academy (MCAA) kicked off the first-ever Mason Summer Band Camp. More than 100 students participated in the program led by faculty from the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music and the Green Machine.

Gold Star Volleyball Camp

Photo provided

911�� Women’s Volleyball Head Coach Megan Shifflett Bachmann and other Mason volleyball staff hosted Gold Star Volleyball Camp on the Fairfax Campus. The camp emphasized the development of players of all levels to become more skilled and competitive athletes.

WGMU Podcasting and Radio Camp, WGMU

Photo provided

WGMU’S Summer Podcast and Radio Camp provided campers with training in a professional radio environment. Students had a chance to produce podcasts and be deejays, playing music over the WGMU radio station. Campers also learned from broadcast professionals how to write, edit, and produce podcasts, live DJ shows, commercials, promos, and public service announcements.

Tony Skinn Basketball Camps

Photo provided

Mason Men’s Basketball Head Coach Tony Skinn hosted two weeks of basketball camps at the Fairfax Campus. Boys and girls ages 7–14 learned about the game from Skinn, who was a two-time all-conference guard with the Patriots from 2003-06 and competed in the Final Four with the Patriots in the 2006 NCAA Tournament.

Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program, College of Science

Photo by ASSIP Intern Team

The nationally known Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) provides transformative research opportunities for high school and undergraduate students. Selected participants work one-on-one with faculty researchers at 911�� and collaborating institutions using state-of-the-art technology across many disciplines. This summer’s ASSIP program welcomed a record 266 students, including 195 who participated in person. The program is open to high school students and Mason undergraduates.

Washington Journalism and Media Conference

Photo by Rafael Suanes/Washington Journalism and Media Conference

The Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) is an interactive, youth leadership program hosted on Fairfax Campus that provides highly engaged, high-performing high school students with a unique experience exploring careers in the areas of journalism, media, and related fields. Students experience an integrated and forward-thinking approach to journalism and media while acquiring valuable “in-the-trenches” knowledge through hands-on learning with industry leaders, award-winning journalists, international media outlets, and Washington insiders.

Learn more about Summer Camps at Mason

Topics

Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Mason Community Arts Academy

WGMU

Washington Journalism and Media Conference

Faculty and Staff News

Around Mason (E-Files)

Mason senior who interned with CNN strives to make a difference in political journalism

Mariam Aburdeineh — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Mason senior who interned with CNN strives to make a difference in political journalism Mariam Aburdeineh Tue, 02/25/2020 - 00:00

Senior Nathan Crawford helped produce stories that aired on more than 1,100 CNN affiliate news stations in the United States and internationally at his summer internship. Photo provided.

There’s a missing part in most political conversations, and Nathan Crawford, a senior at 911��, hopes to help fix that.

“A lot of the talk around politics is the divisiveness, not the possibility to bring the country together,” said Crawford, a communication major concentrating in journalism and media production and criticism. “If we combine the two ideas of the parties, that’s how we’re actually going to help people and move the country forward.”

Crawford, an Honors College student from Georgia, said he has been captivated by politics and broadcast journalism since he was 10. He said his dream is to work on air or behind the scenes for a national news organization, covering politics in a way that promotes mutual collaboration instead of heated battles.

Since coming to Mason, Crawford has gotten closer to that dream, including working as an intern with CNN Newsource last summer.

Through the internship, Crawford helped produce stories that aired on more than 1,100 CNN affiliate news stations in the United States and internationally, he said. He learned how journalists did live reporting and packaged news differently around the world. Highlights included interviewing former FBI and CIA director William Webster during a World War II memorial event on the National Mall, and standing with the press on Capitol Hill for the Mueller hearing.

Senior Nathan Crawford during his CNN internship. Photo provided.

The aspiring journalist first heard about Mason in 2015, when he attended the Washington Journalism and Media Conference hosted annually by the university. When it came time to apply to college, Mason stood out due to its quality communication program and its location near the heart of U.S. politics, Crawford said.

“[My coursework] combines journalism, which is a lot of writing, with production, which is very hands-on,” Crawford said. “[It’s] something nice that I don’t think I would have gotten if I went to a university that only offered a broadcast major.”

Learning from experienced professionals has made his time at Mason worthwhile, he said.

“[Professor Kate Sweeney] brings a lot of experience into the classroom,” Crawford said, noting that she has worked for news organizations in the United States and the Middle East, as well as at the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic. “To have someone who is fun to be around, but also someone who has that experience, it’s a really good combination that I think is important in the classroom.”

Crawford is active on campus as the president of Mason Ambassadors, a group that gives campus tours. He’s also the social media intern for Mason Admissions and the assistant community director in Presidents Park, where he helps oversee a staff of resident advisors.

Working with prospective and current students and their families has helped Crawford further hone his communication skills.

“A lot of young journalists have the technical know-how to craft great stories, but Nathan stands out from the pack due to his gracious approach to others,” Sweeney said. “He’s quick to foster relationships with those around him. He’s a perceptive listener who shares his ideas with thoughtful consideration for others’ experiences.”

As for Crawford’s goal of promoting ethical journalism and collaborative politics?

“Nathan is the kind of young journalist who will help restore the public’s confidence in the purpose and practice of journalism,” Sweeney said.

Washington Journalism and Media Conference

Summer summits empower youth to strengthen peace, trust, and engagement in democracy

Washington Journalism and Media Conference

Conflict Resolution Youth Summit

911�� Debate Institute

Topics

Related news

Around Mason: Summer Camps Takeover

CONS 100: Introduction to Field Conservation, Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Interstellar Dreams Space Center, College of Science

Conflict Resolution Youth Summit, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Mason Summer Band Camp, Mason Community Arts Academy

Gold Star Volleyball Camp

WGMU Podcasting and Radio Camp, WGMU

Tony Skinn Basketball Camps

Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program, College of Science

Washington Journalism and Media Conference

More from Around Mason

Topics

Mason senior who interned with CNN strives to make a difference in political journalism

Washington Journalism and Media Conference

Summer summits empower youth to strengthen peace, trust, and engagement in democracy

Washington Journalism and Media Conference

Conflict Resolution Youth Summit

911���� Debate Institute

Topics

Related news

Around Mason: Summer Camps Takeover

CONS 100: Introduction to Field Conservation, Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Interstellar Dreams Space Center, College of Science

Conflict Resolution Youth Summit, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Mason Summer Band Camp, Mason Community Arts Academy

Gold Star Volleyball Camp

WGMU Podcasting and Radio Camp, WGMU

Tony Skinn Basketball Camps

Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program, College of Science

Washington Journalism and Media Conference

More from Around Mason

Topics

Mason senior who interned with CNN strives to make a difference in political journalism

911�� Debate Institute