On-The-Air: Media & Broadcasting Bootcamp
A Summer in The Heights pre-college experience for students in grades 10–12.
The On-The-Air summer program brings together motivated high school students for six days of hands-on media training in JCU’s professional broadcast facilities. You’ll learn audio and video production, get behind real equipment, and leave with a demo reel of your work.
What to Expect
Go behind the scenes in a real radio and TV studio and discover what it takes to create content on air and on screen. With hands-on experience in audio and video production, students build practical skills—and leave with a demo reel showcasing their work.
Who Will Thrive
This program is for students in grades 10–12 interested in radio, TV, podcasting, or streaming—whether you see yourself on-air, in the news, or behind the scenes.
What You'll Study
Learn radio and audio studio operation, audio editing with Adobe Audition, and the basics of podcasting. Then move into TV studio and control room operation, on-air performance with teleprompters, camera work, audio boards, switching, and video editing with Adobe Premiere.
How The Week Works
The week is divided into two parts: Audio (radio and podcasting) and Video (TV, webcasting, and YouTube). About one-third of the time is lecture and discussion; two-thirds is hands-on work in the WJCU radio studio and JCU Studios TV facility.
Cost
Both options include the same workshops, mentors, and hands-on studio experience.
Day Student
- All workshops & sessions
- Lunch daily
- Guest talks & sessions
- On-campus housing
- Evening activities
Residential
- All workshops & sessions
- All meals included
- Guest talks & sessions
- On-campus housing (5 nights)
- Evening activities
How to Apply
You can easily apply by following the steps below. Need-based scholarships may be available; please indicate your interest on the application form.
- Complete the Summer in The Heights application form and indicate your interest in the Young Writers Workshop.
- Applications are due by Monday, March 16, 2026.
Program Directors
Led by the team behind JCU’s Blue Streak Media and WJCU Radio, with decades of professional broadcasting experience.
- Dan Slentz, BSC — Director of Blue Streak Media, with nearly 50 years in radio and TV broadcasting
- Jake Kucek, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor, Tim Russert Department of Communication
- Jasen Sokol, MFA — Assistant Director of Blue Streak Media & General Manager, WJCU Radio
More questions?
Get answers on housing, meals, packing, and more.
