Category Archives: Archive of Conference and Mentoring Project (CAMP)

Story by Gabriela Resto-Montero, 2016 JAWS Fellow | Photos by Erica Yoon, CAMP photographer

The road through journalism is not a straight one, and that’s evident, based on Danyel Smith’s path. Her trajectory — through hip-hop criticism, fiction and now sports reporting — celebrates nonlinear careers.

Story by Justine Griffin, JAWS CAMP co-chair

This panel of veteran political and campaign reporters discussed what journalists can take away from the historic 2016 elections from the presidential level on down. It’s been an unusual — at best — year for reporters on the campaign trail, and the panelists discussed more than war stories.

Story by Olivia Smith, 2016 JAWS Fellow | Photo by Erica Yoon, CAMP photographer

From budgeting to being your own boss, four panelists kicked off “Freelance Free-for-All” at JAWS CAMP in Roanoke, Va., this year with a number of tips for journalists interested in freelancing.

Story by Gabriela Resto-Montero, 2016 JAWS Fellow

Cristina Escobar covers U.S. domestic policy and international relations as an anchor for Telvisión Cubana in Cuba. This year marks Cristina’s first visit to JAWS CAMP.

Story and photos by Emily Wilkins, 2016 JAW Fellow

Every Monday in a small-town library in Maine, Kathy Bonk meets with about 30 women to discuss how to finally ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.

“There’s a renewed effort for an equal rights amendment right now, 40 years later,” she told a crowd of about 200 women at JAWS, the Journalism and Women Symposium. “It’s happening all over.”

Read the tweets from the first day of the Conference and Mentoring Project (CAMP).

Story by Sarah Ellis and Brenna Goth, 2016 JAWS Fellows | Photo by Erica Yoon, CAMP photographer

Don’t settle for just quoting the local sheriff on overtime pay. Explore all the data yourself and ask your own questions. That’s what MaryJo Webster did as a data editor at The Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Story by Laura Onyeneho, 2016 JAWS Fellow | Photo by Erica Yoon, CAMP photographer

Being a freelancer has its perks: There is no better feeling than being able to control your own work schedule and pay on your own time. But it also has its downsides: You have to find ways to earn a constant stream of income or battle between following your passion and paying those bills on time.

Research released in April by the American Press Institute (API) shows just 6 percent of people say they have a “great deal of confidence” in the press. In a plenary session at CAMP, API will talk about some ideas on how to improve trust in media. API wants to see how your thoughts on trust and media compare to the results of our recent survey of media consumers.

CAMP is a time to build career skills, enrich the spirit and relax with colleagues. We also schedule ample free time for CAMPers to explore the area, mentor each other and catch up with old friends. We’re excited to see you this week, here’s a list of items you can consider bringing with you to Roanoke. Leave the cocktail dresses and power suits at home, and get ready for a relaxing weekend.

We’re excited to see you at the annual Conference and Mentoring Project (CAMP) in Roanoke this year! Here are a few helpful answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions. See you soon!

The top five things to do in and around Roanoke.

A recap of the third Twitter chat regarding the Conference and Mentoring Project (CAMP). CAMP will take place in Roanoke, Va. Oct. 28-30. Register today!

By Joanne Bamberger, Books & Browse Coordinator

Are you ready for the big “Books & Browse” event at this year’s conference in Roanoke? Every year at the Conference and Mentoring Project (CAMP), JAWS provides the opportunity for members to mingle with our member authors and purchase some of the great books they’ve published.

This year’s Books & Browse session will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 7 p.m. And this isn’t just an opportunity to support our authors; it’s also a chance to help support JAWS, as many of the authors have agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds for JAWS’ ongoing programs.

By Sarah Shemkus, JAWS communications co-chair

I will be easy to spot at the Conference and Mentoring Project (CAMP) this year. I will be the one toting around an adorable (I know, I know — that’s not exactly proper journalistic objectivity) baby girl in a JAWS onesie. And I will almost certainly not be the only mother there managing child care while taking advantage of all the sessions, talks and networking CAMP has to offer; over the years I have seen fellow CAMPers making the rounds with infants, toddlers and even teens.

By Pam Moreland, JAWS Board Member

With fewer than 100 days before CAMP 2016, it is time to get serious about donations to the Online and Onsite Auctions.

We need your help to make this year’s auctions successful. After all, money raised by the auctions will help to underwrite JAWS programs.

By Merrill Perlman, JAWS Board Member

If you are coming to CAMP for the first time, don’t be nervous. We’ve got your back.

If you’re new to journalism, don’t be shy. We’ve got your back.

If you’re new to being a woman, don’t worry. We’ve got your back.

If you’ve never been to a journalism conference, don’t hyperventilate. We’ve got your back.

As nearly anyone who has been to CAMP can testify, Journalism and Women Symposium’s Conference and Mentoring Project is different.

By Bobbi Olson, JAWS member

Where the heck is Roanoke, Va.?

If you draw a straight line from Washington, D.C., to Atlanta, somewhere in the middle you’ll find Roanoke, Va. Roanoke is by the Blue Ridge Mountains, off the Appalachian Trail, in southern Virginia, at the tip of the Shenandoah Valley region. Yes, there are ways to get there.

Journalism and Women Symposium is excited to welcome the 2016 fellowship recipients to the Conference and Mentoring Project (CAMP) in Roanoke, Va. Oct. 28 to Oct. 30.

Learn about the upcoming programming, speakers and conference theme.