PHOTO STORY: UNK Digital Expressions Media Camp

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Christina Mayl of Omaha runs the soundboard during a radio broadcast while participating in the Digital Expressions Media Camp hosted by UNK's Department of Communication. — Christina Mayl of Omaha runs the soundboard during a radio broadcast while participating in the Digital Expressions Media Camp hosted by UNK’s Department of Communication.

High schoolers from Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado honed their broadcast skills during the weeklong Digital Expressions Media Camp hosted by the University of Nebraska at Kearney Department of Communication.

The third annual event brought 18 students to campus June 10-15 to explore the world of broadcasting and media production. Campers produced their own content using high-end video and audio equipment, learned about career opportunities, met with industry professionals and toured local media outlets.

“The Digital Expressions Media Camp has always been about exposing high school students, some of whom don’t have access to video or radio curriculums at their schools, to the basics of audio/video storytelling. Many of these students are creating short movies or podcasts at home, but we want to give them the tools to improve, and hopefully have them see the benefits of getting a college education in the field,” said Jacob Rosdail, an assistant professor in the UNK Department of Communication and instructor for the camp.

PHOTOS BY CORBEY R. DORSEY, UNK COMMUNICATIONS

Program director Scott O'Rourke shows Digital Expressions Media Camp participants the Y102 studio during their visit to NRG Media in Kearney. — Program director Scott O’Rourke shows Digital Expressions Media Camp participants the Y102 studio during their visit to NRG Media in Kearney.

The theme for this year’s camp was “Endless Directions,” referencing the different career paths and creative outlets available to students.

Campers visited Hometown Family Radio in Grand Island and NRG Media in Kearney, hosted their own shows on the UNK radio station, KLPR, and watched a news broadcast at the NTV studio. They also viewed a documentary before chatting with the filmmakers using Skype.

From left, Sammantha O'Connor of Lincoln and Julia Weide of Omaha work with UNK student Cy Cannon during the Digital Expressions Media Camp. — From left, Sammantha O’Connor of Lincoln and Julia Weide of Omaha work with UNK student Cy Cannon during the Digital Expressions Media Camp.

UNK faculty led workshops in videography, radio and audio editing, and shared information about the university’s multimedia program.

“The camp allows us to show off our department and also get students comfortable with the UNK campus,” Rosdail said. “We purposely have the camp last the better part of a week to hopefully create a strong bond between the camper and our campus.”

For their projects, students created public service announcements, conducted interviews, recorded news clips and shot a promotional video for the camp, which is supported by the Nebraska Broadcasters Association.

Jim Timm, president and executive director of the state broadcasting group, also spoke during the event.