NBTB expands to include two weeks, two field trips and two intensives

Newsroom turns 10 years old this summer. And that’s a good opportunity to change up and add more to what NBTB does.

Summer 2020 will see an expanded program with 14 days and 13 nights of student journalism. As before, that will include the usual mix of morning classes, afternoon production and a daylong field trip to San Francisco.

But we’ll be adding another field trip to the calendar, plus two intensives in political reporting and climate science journalism, including special instruction and guest teachers and speakers.

Week 2 also will focus on production, with students applying for a staff position on one of our three publications, including our interactive magazine 650 West, our award-winning sister program Global Student Square, and a new broadcast channel to debut next summer (here’s your chance to be a founding producer).

More information on new offerings will be released in coming weeks.

“For several years now, students have been asking for more time at camp, as well as more opportunities to work together and with guest speakers and teachers,” said program director Beatrice Motamedi.

Student Peyton Spellacy (left) and Amanda Darrach at work during NBTB 2019. Photo by NBTB staff.

Last year, reporter Amanda Darrach of the Columbia Journalism Review and Brent Walth, assistant professor at the University of Oregon, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist specializing in solutions journalism, held brainstorming sessions and edited stories and videos for 650 West.

“Those are experiences we want all of our students to have,” Motamedi said. “A second week will also help us dig into complex issues such as the upcoming presidential election as well as climate change.”

More time for production will give students more opportunities to develop as editorial leaders, and to create stories that take full advantage of reporting both on and off campus, she added.

Brent Walth, part of a team that won the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 2001, gets to the heart of journalism in a talk during NBTB 2019. Photo by Aaron Diggdon.

Program fees of $4,750 for residential students and $2,500 for commuters reflect the change from an eight-day program to a two-week program, including an increase in Stanford housing and dining rates and a new commuter surcharge.

That said, there is a $500 alumni discount for returning students, and a $500 early bird discount to new students who apply and pay by March 1.

Returning students also can apply to be one of our four residential counselors-in-training, with a reduced program fee of $2,500. Students who require assistance should apply to be NBTB Scholars (deadline: March 1).

As in previous years, admissions are rolling; qualified students are accepted as soon as their applications are complete and spaces are reserved as students pay. Camp filled by early spring last year, so if your sights are set on summer journalism at Stanford, don’t delay — apply today.

—Featured photo: NBTB 2019 students and staff outside Sally Ride dorm on the Stanford campus. Photo by Aaron Diggdon.