Last summer, I had the chance to visit
Lincoln Land Community College’s first Media Makers Camp. As I arrived at our
Medical District location in downtown Springfield, I didn’t know what to
expect. I knew that participation was good, with all the seats having filled. I
knew that the professor who was leading the camp was full of energy and
passionate about what he did. I knew the content being taught would be valuable
to the students. What I did not anticipate was just how deeply and incredibly
meaningful the camp would be for the participants.
I found a room with students of various
ages, from current high school students to some who had graduated. I got to
hear some of their stories. I learned that some had signed up because they were
interested in the integrated media design program at LLCC, while others were
there because one of their parents had signed them up for a summer activity. I
discovered that some were students who had been interested in art or design.
Others had never really thought about these things as formal areas to study but
knew they liked video games or being creative. I came to learn that some of the
students were neurodivergent or often did not feel comfortable in traditional
classroom settings, but they enjoyed being at our camp. The one thing that
everyone had in common was that they were fully engaged in what they were
doing, and they loved it.
The Media Makers Camp is a four-day camp
that meets for three hours either in the morning or the afternoon at
LLCC-Medical District at 130 W. Mason St. It is a hands-on camp where students
get started on the very first day making things on the computer. There are two
days dedicated to animation, and two days dedicated to making video games. The
camp gives students a taste of what it is like to study integrated media design
and the kinds of things they might be able to do by completing a degree in this
area.
LLCC is able to offer the camp free to
participants because of the college’s participation in a grant-funded project
through the State of Illinois called the Access to Training Opportunities in
Manufacturing and Technology Grant.
This summer, LLCC is happy to announce
an expansion of the Media Makers Camp. In addition to offering four
opportunities this summer, there will be a new, second area that participants
can explore, which will be social media and video. Participants are welcome to
sign up for both topics. More information and registration for these camps are
available at www.llcc.edu/media-makers.
As I spoke with the professor who led
last year’s camp and heard more stories about the participants, I found out
that some of the participants had shared that they never thought they would be
able to go to college but that the camp helped them see that possibility. Four
of last year’s participants became successful students at LLCC in the
integrated media design program this year, and others are considering it after
they graduate from high school. I heard from parents who were grateful that
their son or daughter had the chance to do something that piqued their interest
over the summer, and some of them have commented about how the experience has
helped their child develop skills that have made them more comfortable at
school or in their job.
Helping to support this camp has been
one of the highlights of my year because I have been able to see young people
find their passion and see a path toward doing something they love.
If you have an artistic or creative
side, if you love technology or if you are just looking for something fun to do
this summer, please consider joining us for a week at our Media Makers Camp. It
will be a fun week, and it may even change your life.
Dr. Joel Dykstra is associate vice
president of academics Lincoln Land Community College.