Junior Journalism Program Plan
Objective:
The Junior Journalism Program aims to provide young writers with hands-on experience in journalism, community engagement, and media production. Through a combination of virtual meetups, in-person events, and personalized support, we are offering kids the opportunity to grow their skills and build their portfolios while becoming part of the Vegas Kids Zone team.
Program Overview:
Aspiring young writers, aged 10-18, who want to develop their journalistic skills by contributing to the Vegas Kids Zone magazine and engaging with their community.
Key Activities:
Virtual Meetups every other Wednesday to discuss upcoming issues and share writing tips.
Monthly in-person meetups to distribute magazines, have light bites, and plan future issues.
Regular 1:1 sessions for personalized support and writing feedback.
Program Tiers:
Tier 1:
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Interested students will send in a resume or writing samples (this can be any article, school paper, or blog post they’ve written).
Sample Interview Assignment: Write an interview with a local business, community leader, or someone they admire.
This helps them practice their writing and interview skills.
Submission Review: Once received, we’ll review their submissions and invite them to officially join the program. Upon acceptance, they will receive their Junior Journalist badge.
Tier 2: First Meeting
Virtual Meetups: Held every other Wednesday at 6 p.m.
We’ll meet to discuss the latest issue of the magazine, brainstorm story ideas, and give writing tips.
New writers will share their sample interviews, and we’ll provide feedback on improving writing and conducting interviews.
Story Idea Pitch: Each student will pitch at least one idea for the next magazine issue.
Tier 3: Ongoing Involvement
Monthly Challenges
Every month, Junior Journalists will be given a new writing challenge to help them grow and develop their portfolio in the VKZ Jr. Journalist newsletter.
Best articles will be featured in the magazine and on social media.
Recognition & Mentorship
Peer Reviews & Feedback: Members will receive constructive feedback on their work, and those who complete challenges will be recognized in the program.
Mentorship opportunities will be available, where more experienced writers can guide new recruits.
Meeting Schedule:
Virtual Meetups
Every other Wednesday at 6 p.m.
These sessions will be held via Zoom (or another preferred platform). During these meetings, we will:
Discuss new topics for upcoming magazine issues.
Provide writing tips and advice on how to conduct interviews and write compelling articles.
Share the latest magazine issue with everyone, encouraging them to read it and draw inspiration for their own work.
In-Person Meetups
Once a month, TBD
These meetups will be held in person to distribute the latest issues of the magazine, share light bites, and have a brainstorming session for future magazine topics.
Location and Date: The in-person meetup will be planned monthly and communicated in advance. We’ll select a convenient time for everyone to attend.
Monday Office Hours
Every Monday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
1:1 Sessions: Junior Journalists can book a one-on-one meeting to discuss their progress, get feedback on their writing, and ask questions. These sessions will be scheduled via the calendar system.
General Office Hours: During this time, we will be available for any general questions or writing assistance.
How Teachers Can Get Involved:
Encourage students to join the Junior Journalism Program and send in their writing samples.
Support students in completing the sample interview assignment by helping them identify interesting people in the community or businesses they frequent.
Promote the program as an excellent extracurricular activity for students to develop writing, interviewing, and journalism skills.
Program Participation Expectations:
Regular Attendance: Students are encouraged to attend the virtual meetings every other Wednesday and the monthly in-person meetups to stay engaged in the program and receive full benefits.
Commitment to Challenges: Participation in the monthly writing challenges is key to building their skills and contributing to the magazine.
Positive Engagement: Junior Journalists should come prepared to contribute ideas, ask questions, and actively engage in discussions.
Next Steps for Interested Students:
Submit Resume or Writing Samples: Interested participants should send in a writing sample or their resume to join the program.
Complete the Interview Assignment: Write a sample interview or article about a business, local leader, or someone in the community.
Join the Program: Once their work is reviewed, they will receive an invitation to join the team and start attending virtual meetups and submitting stories.